Pike Gibson Cooperative Invasives Species Management Area

06/12/2025

06/11/2025

🌿 Japanese Knotw**d (Reynoutria japonica) is one of the most aggressive invasive plants in Indiana.

Japanese Knotw**d spreads rapidly, forms dense thickets, and is difficult to eradicate. Mowing or cutting repeatedly can make this plant come back with vengeance!

🔍 Here’s how to spot it!

Stems: Hollow, jointed, and bamboo-like with red/brown nodes.
Leaves: Spade-shaped leaf, flat base where leaf joins stem, and grows in a zig-zag pattern along stems.
Flowers: Tiny white blooms in dense, plume-like clusters (blooms in late summer to early fall).
Roots: Rhizomes are dark brown with yellow-orange insides, and are easy to snap.
Height: Will grow up to 10 feet tall.

Photos taken in Pike County, IN by Alex Villalobos, SWCD Invasive Species Technician.

06/11/2025

Did you catch us on the front page of the The Press-Dispatch? 🔎🌿

Thank you to Mendy Ross with The Press Dispatch for coming out to cover our event!

06/05/2025

Happy World Environment Day! 🌎

Invasive species pose a significant risk to the environment. Here’s how you can help protect it!

☑️ Spread the word, not invasives
☑️ Clean your gear, equipment, and even pets between trails
☑️ Buy local firewood. Don’t move it between sites
☑️ Volunteer to help remove invasives from public parks
☑️ Choose native, non-invasive plants for your garden and landscaping

Together, we can keep the environment healthy and protect biodiversity! 🌿 Can you name any of the species in the collage?

06/05/2025

06/05/2025

🌸 NOW BLOOMING: Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia) is an invasive legume known for its striking white to pinkish-purple flowers that bloom throughout the summer. Originally introduced to the U.S. for erosion control and w**d suppression, it has since become a problem due to its aggressive growth and ability to spread through underground rhizomes. This plant forms dense mats that can suppress native wildflowers and grasses.

🌸 While Crown Vetch can be removed manually, this process can be challenging because of its rhizomes. The application of herbicides can be effective in treating large infestations. For specific herbicide recommendations, visit [www.in.gov/dnr/files/Crown_vetch.pdf].

Photos by Alex Villalobos, SWCD Invasive Species Technician.

05/23/2025

New to the world of invasive species? 🌿 Our Beginner’s Guide breaks it all down—what they are, why it matters, and how you can help protect native ecosystems.

05/15/2025

Planting native is in! ✅
Planting invasive is out! ❎

Some invasive species you should avoid planting in North America.

An invasive plant is one which is non-native AND causes environmental or ecological harm. Not all non-native plants are invasive, but all invasive plants are non-native.

As always, this list is non-comprehensive, just a handful of species to look out for:
❌ English ivy (Hedera helix)
❌ Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
❌ Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)
❌ Periwinkle (Vinca minor)
❌ Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
❌ Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora)
❌ Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea)
❌ Dames rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
❌ Orange daylily (Hemerocallis fulva)
❌ Red barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
❌ Mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin)
❌ Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

05/15/2025

🌿 Pike Gibson CISMA had the pleasure of hosting the Southwest Regional Invasive Plant Training alongside State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management and Pike County Soil & Water Conservation District!

🌿 The training consisted of invasive plant identification in the classroom and moved outdoors for herbicide mixing safety, demonstrations, and more identification! 🔍

02/07/2025

What's an invasive species, and why should you care?

Non-native w**ds invade 1,730,000 acres of wildlife habitat and cost the US over $138 billion per year in the US. They displace native plants, eliminate food and cover for wildlife, and threaten rare plant and animal species.

Learn more about invasive and what you can do to stop their spread at indiananativeplants.org/invasive-plants/
.

01/22/2025

Pike Gibson CISMA would like to invite you to Conservation Crafting at Princeton Public Library!

We will be giving a short presentation on Amur Honeysuckle impacts on ecosystems & identification tips. The rest of the evening will be spent making earrings and bracelets out of Amur Honeysuckle beads! Space is limited, so please register using the QR Code or Eventbrite link!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conservation-crafting-tickets-1217892602559?aff=oddtdtcreator

All ages are welcome, but children will need to be accompanied by an adult.