Why OIPC Exists
The Ohio Invasive Plants Council is a coalition of agencies, organizations, and individuals throughout Ohio concerned about the introduction, spread, and control of invasive, non-native plants in Ohio's natural habitats. OIPC promotes public awareness of invasive species issues and encourages land management and research to detect invasive species and prevent new invasions into natural ecosystems. OIPC was formed as a 501(c)(3)not-for-profit organization in 2005 as a result of efforts in the late 1990's to improve awareness of the threats of invasive plants.
Invasive Plants Recently Featured on The Ohio Channel
Watch this educational video on invasive species, featuring OIPC President Jennifer Windus. You can learn how to recognize invasive species, what they do to our environment, and how to get involved. You can view the entire 7.5 minute video here: https://www.ohiochannel.org/video/naturally-ohio-invasive-plants
Watch this educational video on invasive species, featuring OIPC President Jennifer Windus. You can learn how to recognize invasive species, what they do to our environment, and how to get involved. You can view the entire 7.5 minute video here: https://www.ohiochannel.org/video/naturally-ohio-invasive-plants
SAVE THE DATE: Want to Learn More About Invasive Plants?
We have several upcoming workshops and a research conference this year:
Workshops
May 2 - at Richfield Heritage Preserve in Summit County (check the FHP website at www.friendsofrhp.org for registration information)
July 25 - at Johnny Appleseed Metro Park District near Lima (registration will be on the OIPC website)
August 8 - at the Greenacres Foundation in Cincinnati/Indian Hills (registration will be on the OIPC website)
September 12 - at the Cedar Bog Nature Center in Champaign County, south of Urbana (registration will be on the OIPC website)
OIPC Research Conference
Friday, October 27 - at the OSU Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. The conference will include speakers, lunch, refreshments, posters and displays, and a short OIPC annual update. We will be looking for sponsors to support this conference.
We have several upcoming workshops and a research conference this year:
Workshops
May 2 - at Richfield Heritage Preserve in Summit County (check the FHP website at www.friendsofrhp.org for registration information)
July 25 - at Johnny Appleseed Metro Park District near Lima (registration will be on the OIPC website)
August 8 - at the Greenacres Foundation in Cincinnati/Indian Hills (registration will be on the OIPC website)
September 12 - at the Cedar Bog Nature Center in Champaign County, south of Urbana (registration will be on the OIPC website)
OIPC Research Conference
Friday, October 27 - at the OSU Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. The conference will include speakers, lunch, refreshments, posters and displays, and a short OIPC annual update. We will be looking for sponsors to support this conference.
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Summary of the 2022 OPIC Annual Meeting
The 2022 Annual Meeting at Highbanks Metro Park Nature Center in Lewis Center was highly successful with over 75 attendees. There was a morning session with speakers and an outdoor afternoon session with hikes and control demonstrations. OIPC was very fortunate to have 13 sponsors for the Annual Meeting, which generated over $1,500 in support. Thank you to our generous sponsors! We also appreciate the support from the Columbus Metro Parks for hosting these events. Speakers at the Annual Meeting included Jennifer Windus, Theresa Culley, Gary Conley, and Emily Finch (see program). Lunch was provided by Panera Bread for both events. We were pleased that so many people attended both events and were happy to be back together, discussing invasive plants issues. |
OIPC Workshops are Back!
Following a COVID-induced pause in programming, OIPC was thrilled to hold an in-person workshop at the Lowe-Volk Nature Center in Crestline on September 1, 2022. It was well-attended with almost 40 people who enjoyed a morning session with speakers and an outdoor afternoon session with hikes and control demonstrations. We appreciated the support from Crawford Park District for hosting this event. Speakers at the workshop included Jennifer Windus, 3 park district land managers – Kyle Bailey from Crawford Park District, Chris Roshon from Preservation Parks of Delaware County, and Austin Roby from Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District, as well as Madison Brown from the Ohio Natural Areas & Preserves Association.
Following a COVID-induced pause in programming, OIPC was thrilled to hold an in-person workshop at the Lowe-Volk Nature Center in Crestline on September 1, 2022. It was well-attended with almost 40 people who enjoyed a morning session with speakers and an outdoor afternoon session with hikes and control demonstrations. We appreciated the support from Crawford Park District for hosting this event. Speakers at the workshop included Jennifer Windus, 3 park district land managers – Kyle Bailey from Crawford Park District, Chris Roshon from Preservation Parks of Delaware County, and Austin Roby from Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District, as well as Madison Brown from the Ohio Natural Areas & Preserves Association.
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FALL INVASIVE PLANT FOCUS: Japanese Hops |
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Japanese hop or hops (Humulus japonicus) is a rapidly growing vine in the Hemp family that is often found along rivers floodplains, and lakeshores. It's rapid growth of up to 35 ft in a growing season means that it can quickly overtop other vegetation. If you have this on your property, it would be good to remove it as soon as possible. Read more about this species HERE.
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OIPC Has a New Informational Display
If your group has a conference or gathering and is interested in having OIPC attend with our informational display, please let us know (see "Contact Us").
If your group has a conference or gathering and is interested in having OIPC attend with our informational display, please let us know (see "Contact Us").
Oak Openings CWMA Factsheets on Management Now Available
You can read about the nice work that the Oak Openings Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) is doing in northwestern Ohio here. The group has also developed 24 excellent factsheets on best management practices here. Targeted species include Callery pear, Japanese stiltgrass, Narrowleaf cattail, and Japanese knotweed as a few examples. See their list to learn about how to remove and manage other invasive species!
You can read about the nice work that the Oak Openings Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) is doing in northwestern Ohio here. The group has also developed 24 excellent factsheets on best management practices here. Targeted species include Callery pear, Japanese stiltgrass, Narrowleaf cattail, and Japanese knotweed as a few examples. See their list to learn about how to remove and manage other invasive species!
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT:
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COPRISM - Central Ohio Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management
COPRISM is regional partnership working to protect Central Ohio’s natural resources, public health, safety, and economy through a coordinated approach to prevent, combat, and improve awareness of invasive species. Their focus is on all types of invasive species, including terrestrial and aquatic plants and animals, pests and pathogens. |
Would you like to Join the OIPC Discussion Group?
Our OIPC Yahoo listerv group has now been moved over to Google Groups. If you are not yet a member and wish to hear and join in discussions of invasive plants, you are welcome to join for free! Just follow the directions under the "Resources" tab, or click HERE.
Our OIPC Yahoo listerv group has now been moved over to Google Groups. If you are not yet a member and wish to hear and join in discussions of invasive plants, you are welcome to join for free! Just follow the directions under the "Resources" tab, or click HERE.
38 Invasive Plants Regulated by the ODA in Ohio
There are now 38 plant species regulated as invasive in the state of Ohio. These species were announced in January of 2018, and included two species with phase-out periods: Lythrum virgatum (European wand loosestrife; banned in 2019) and Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana, to be banned in Jan 2023).
An additional 8 species have now been proposed to be added by the Ohio Department of Agriculture through the Ohio legislative rule-making process: Procelainberry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata) Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna) Common privet (Ligustrum vulgare) White mulberry (Morus alba) Princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa) Mile-a-minute (Persicaria perfoliata) Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinaceae) Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) |
Ways You or Your Organization Can Help
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Research Needs Identified by Assessment Team
OIPC is collaborating in an effort to assess invasive plants in Ohio. During that process the Assessment Team has encountered a number of important information gaps. Filling these gaps will lead to a better understanding of the invasive potential of particular species. We encourage researchers to help us address these issues. See the Help Answer Research Questions page for detailed questions.