As invasive species continue to threaten natural areas in the region, nonprofit organizations like the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) are working to manage these populations and educate the community through various outreach opportunities and resources.
ISN Director Audrey Menninga said Autumn olive, one of the most notorious invasive plants in Leelanau and the region, is one of the shrubs that she gets asked about the most. It can grow up to 15-20 feet and is frequently found in old fields, open woods, and forest edges, and in the fall, it features bright red late season berries.
According to ISN, like most invasive plants, the shrub “replaces native plants in high quality natural areas, which in turn reduces critical food resources for birds, butterflies, and other wild creatures.” While ISN doesn’t do any active management for Autumn olive, except in some particular circumstances, because of how widespread it is, the group does have educational opportunities open to the public to learn more about how to deal with and manage it.
