​We visited the Carney School Forest with Pat Wehner’s 8th Grade Class to assess an area that has been overrun by invasive Autumn Olive. Once considered a quality wildlife / hedgerow shrub, Autumn Olive has proven to be a very problematic invasive species after it was introduced to the US from Asia. It produces lots of berries that are readily eaten and spread by birds, which soon grow into new, thorny, aggressive shrubs. The shrubs grow fast and quickly outcompete native species – sometimes creating a monoculture that limits biological diversity.
 
Just a few years back, this area was treated with mowing and chemical to control the shrubs, followed by planting of mixed native conifers. The Carney-Nadeau students were able to locate some of the planted conifers, but found them to be outcompeted by the thorny Autumn Olive shrubs. More work will be needed to combat the invasives on this property!
 
It pays to be observant and proactive when you notice a new species of plant on your property or roadside – a few invasive shrubs identified and removed early can prevent a future “thorny” situation! For assistance and information on Autumn Olive and other invasive species found in Menominee County, contact the Conservation District or their partner: Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition (WRISC).
 
The Conservation District also provides healthy, beneficial native trees and flowering nut- and berry-producing shrubs for purchase during our Spring and Fall Tree Sale. Keep an eye on the website for future Tree Sales – items can be ordered and purchased at our online store!

Initial autumn olive removal spring 2015        

​      Replanting with native species Fall 2019

Autumn Olive taking over again in 2019       
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With the help of students at Carney Public Schools, we’ve developed two 625 square foot fenced in exclosures on the Carney School Forest. Over time, these will provide a look at how a forest regenerates without browsing pressures from deer and rabbits. A walk through any forest in central Menominee County shows extensive browse damage on seedling trees – in some areas of hardwood stands with high deer populations, you may see a “park-like” setting. This can look pretty and are easy to hike through, but the area lacks the understory of shrubs and seedling trees that provide wildlife habitat and constitute the beginnings of a mature, healthy forest for future generations..
 
3 other exclosures are planned for other School Forests and a public park, spread throughout the county. Materials were provided with a grant from the Upper Peninsula Sustainable Forest and Wildlife Fund; work was provided by Menominee Conservation District and Stephenson USDA Service Center staff, with lots of help from the students from Carney.
 
Stay tuned to Facebook for updates and contact the Conservation District for details on this or any other project!