Invasive Plant Species Campaign

Citizens for Conservation is going after the bad guys! Plant bullies, that is. With a grant from Barrington Area Community Foundation (BACF), the Community Education Committee of Citizens for Conservation is launching a campaign to destroy invasive species in the Barrington area.  Our volunteers have contributed many hours over the years to eliminate obnoxious weeds and woody plants in our prairies, wetlands and woodlands, and now we are asking homeowners and municipalities to join the campaign. 

Some of the really bad guys are garlic mustard, buckthorn, reed canary grass, teasel, common reed and dame's rocket (follow the links for flyers that can be printed).  The Community Education Committee has produced flyers on each of these invasives to show what they look like in various stages of growth, why they are bad, and how to eliminate them from your property.  We invite homeowners and municipal administrators to download these flyers to participate in our invasive removal campaign.  We also have printed flyers to send on request.

Community Education has also created a twelve-plant table for you to use. This table can be a 11 x 17 poster when you print it, or it can be a simple two-sided 8 1/2 x 11 handout for you to distribute. Carry the table with you when taking a walk so that you can identify these twelve invasive plant species as you go.

In addition we have developed a short video to show at CFC events and meetings of interested organizations on request.  CFC volunteers who are experienced in eradicating invasives will also be available to homeowners to identify the bad ones and advise on removal procedures and desirable replacement alternatives. 

These extremely invasive species of plants are taking over our beautiful yards, countryside and roadsides. Invasive species crowd out the desirable native plants, drive away the birds and butterflies that depend on the natives, and reduce biodiversity creating monocultures of undesirable plants, and they are ugly!  Just look at dense stands of buckthorn along roadways, in park areas or even in your yard.  It will take a concerted community effort to make a difference against these plant bullies, and we encourage your participation.

View our very own CFC produced video and learn how to recognize and manage invasive species that we have identified to be damaging to our landscape.

Call CFC at 847-382-SAVE or respond here for more information. 

Upcoming Programs

Save these dates for our Community Education Committee programs in winter of 2013.  

All programs are listed at the time they will begin, but remember to come half an hour early for coffee, displays, handouts, and conversation! We will add more information as it becomes available. 

Saturday, January 26 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, February 26  7:00 to 8:30 p.m. - Free popcorn is possible.

Saturday, March 16     10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  

Saturday, April 20   10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This program will likely be a newly updated version of our committee's popular "Landscaping with Native Plants" slide program presented by Peggy Simonsen and Meredith Tucker, perfectly timed for Native Plant Sale suggestions.

Please stay tuned! 

Programs Available for your Group

CFC's Community Education Committee has created four slide programs to present at group meetings. We give these programs free of charge to garden clubs, churches, homeowner associations, schools, and other organizations. We will be happy to schedule your group meeting. 

The programs include: 

Landscaping with Native Plants

learn the importance of incorporating
native species into your gardens, and
see photos of gorgeous natives
for many locations; 

Rain Gardens

discover how these features purify
water, recharge aquifers, and
provide a beautiful garden
for you and for wildlife;

Native Trees and Shrubs

see how native woody plants provide
beauty and ecosystem services
on your own property; 

Invasive Plant Species

learn to identify the most invasive
and important alien species
likely to overrun your yard,
and see possible replacement plants. 

CFC volunteers took most of the photographs for these programs in area yards or along local roads. Programs include almost entirely local plants and habitats. 

Please call our office at 847-382-SAVE and leave a message for Meredith. She will return your call to arrange a program for your organization.