Invasive plants

Forests, prairies and savannas all work best when they're shared. But invasive species spread rapidly and make it hard for other plants to grow — plants that help hold soil in place, plants where birds nest, plants that make up vibrant, interconnected habitat.

Overgrowth of invasive species can cause habitat breakdown, erosion of soil into waterways, the spread of plant diseases and more. That's why we focus so much on removing invasive species and replacing them with diverse plants at our restoration sites. Join us!

Invasive plants

Invasive species: Garlic mustard

August 4, 2022

Learn more about garlic mustard and how you can help restore balance for wildlife and water quality by removing these plants before they flower. Read more

Think twice before removing that thistle

by Alex Roth

July 1, 2022

Not all thistles are invasive in Minnesota. Here's how you can tell if you're looking at one of our five native thistle species and why you should leave those species in the ground. >>

Not all thistles are invasive in Minnesota. Here's how you can tell if you're looking at one of our few native thistle species. Read more

How can we reduce buckthorn and preserve native plants? The results are in!

by Karen Schik

March 25, 2022

In 2018, we started a three-year research project at Hampton Woods Wildlife Management Area to find out which methods of buckthorn control best protect and encourage native plants. And now the results are in! >>

FMR ecologist coauthors paper on the importance of replanting after buckthorn removal

by Ellie Rogers

December 31, 2020

When FMR volunteers remove buckthorn, we're making way for native plants to reestablish critical habitat. In a new research paper, following up by planting native plants seems to show another benefit: Buckthorn has a harder time making a comeback. >>

Invasives got your goat? Here's one way we're bucking buckthorn at Hampton Woods

by Karen Schik

December 14, 2020

Entertaining and adorable as they are, goats have found a serious and fitting profession in the ecological management world: consuming as much buckthorn and other invasive woody plants as possible. See how successful our crew was at Hampton Woods and learn more about this increasingly popular restoration method. >>

Buckthorn: How can a shrub be so harmful?

December 17, 2019

European buckthorn is a tall understory shrub brought to North America in the early 1800s as an ornamental shrub. But this woody plant escaped from yards and landscaped areas long ago, spreading rapidly in forests and other natural areas ever since. Read more

'Tis the season ... to remove buckthorn?

by Alex Roth

December 16, 2019

As the snow begins to fall, you'll notice some buckthorn leaves remain green. Find out about the benefits of late-fall and winter removal of this invasive plant. Read more