The Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition (WRISC) is partnering with the Forest County Land Conservation/Land Information Department to host the 4th Annual Invasive Species Trade-Up Days in May. For Forest County, drop off will be at the Forest County Courthouse May 8th from 8am to 4pm. Once you drop off your plants on the trailer that WRISC provides, you can come inside to the Land conservation/Land information office on the 1st floor in room 103 to collect your voucher(s). This is the 6th year WRISC has done this event, and the 4th for Forest County. Trade-Up Days gives landowners an opportunity to remove an ornamental invasive shrub from their property, such as Japanese Barberry, Buckthorn, Autumn Olive, or Burning Bush, and exchange it for a monetary voucher to buy a native plant to replace it. Each voucher is worth $10, and you can receive up to $100 worth of vouchers if you bring in 10 or more invasive shrubs. WRISC hosts various drop off locations in its region on various dates. This year, there will be drop off locations in Peshtigo, Marinette, Crandon, Florence, Kingsford MI, and Stephenson MI. Vouchers are redeemable at participating greenhouses and plant sales for the purchase of a native plant. Customers are responsible for any price difference. Hanson’s Garden Village – Rhinelander, WI (Greenhouse) Concordia Gardens and Perennials – Wausaukee, WI (Greenhouse) Spread Eagle Garden Center – Florence, WI (Greenhouse) Dainelson’s Greenhouse and Floral – Norway, MI (Greenhouse) Northern Lights Master Gardeners Association Volunteers (NLMGA) – Marinette, WI (Plant Sale) Dickinson Conservation District – Kingsford, MI (Plant Sale) Event Details can be found at www.wrisc.org/events
Conservation Corner is a weekly article produced by the Forest County Land Conservation and Land Information Department. For more information contact Lucas O’Brien, Forest County Land Conservation Technician at 715-478-1387 or by e-mail at