Invasive Species Workshop

Learning how to manage your property can be tricky. The Nature Institute is bringing a new kind of workshop for neighbors, area citizens, and nature enthusiasts to make land restoration a little easier. The Invasive Species Workshop will dive into the reasons for containing these plants, current regional problem species and ways to manage them in this evening of discussion at Old Bakery Beer Co. This workshop is free and open to all interested in the topic of invasive plant management. 

Guest Speaker:

To assist in the evening, TNI has asked Chris Evans, Forestry and Extension Research Specialist of the University of Illinois Extension, to bring his knowledge. Chris holds a B.S. Wildlife Biology degree from Murray State University and received his master’s in Forest Biology from Iowa State University. His research interests include invasive species management, prescribed fire, forest management, and agroforestry.

Also presenting will be Eric Wright, TNI Stewardship Director. Eric has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Lindenwood University and attended grad school at the University of Illinois. Eric has researched the fauna of ephemeral wetlands across the state of Illinois and in east-central Missouri and the effectiveness of the aerial application of herbicide to treat invasive bush honeysuckle. He has worked as a natural heritage resident with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and has held several positions with the Illinois Recreational Access Program. The newest member of the TNI family, Eric was hired in the spring of 2018 and looks forward to maintaining and improving the land managed by The Nature Institute. Eric’s passion is increasing native biodiversity by removing non-native invasive species, restoring ecological disturbances, and facilitating ecosystem resiliency and sustainability.

Event Schedule

6:30 pm– Workshop Begins: Welcome
6:35 pm– Invasive Species Ecology and Problem Species featuring Chris Evans
7:20 pm– Short Break
7:30 pm– Invasive Species Management featuring Eric Wright, TNI Stewardship Director
7:45 pm– Open Question and Answer Session

Registration is requested to assist in evening planning. To register, please fill out the form below or call 618-466-9930.

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