Detroit River-Western Lake Erie Cooperative Weed Management Area

06/11/2026

Tree of heaven and spotted lanternfly are an invasive one-two punch in Southeast Michigan.

Tree of heaven is a rapidly growing tree, introduced to the state as an ornamental, that outcompetes native plants and can grow up to 80 feet tall! Identifiable characteristics include long, smooth-edged leaves with lobes at the base and a rancid peanut butter smell when the leaves are crushed.

Tree of heaven is a favored host of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species itself which was first detected in the state in 2014. Spotted lanternflies feed on plant sap, causing damage to desirable plants and allowing for the spread of disease. If you see spotted lanternfly nymphs or adults, follow the advice of the Michigan DNR by reporting your sighting and squishing the insect to stop the spread.

https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ors/Survey/38

For more information about these two invasive species, see this bulletin put out by Michigan State University.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/a-tale-of-two-invaders-tree-of-heaven-and-spotted-lanternfly

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Photo 1: young, vigorous trees in bright sunshine along a railroad track
Photo 2: an insect with spotted wings grasping a stem
Credit: Deb McCullough, MSU

06/04/2026

To keep folks informed about what the Detroit River-Western Lake Erie Cooperative W**d Management Area is up to this season, we plan to post short, weekly updates about our ongoing projects!

Over the Memorial Day-shortened week we surveyed two properties for invasive terrestrial plant species (ex. common buckthorn, garlic mustard, multiflora rose).

For our terrestrial surveys we record the location, size and density of each species from a vehicle or on foot. These data will be used to inform land managers and contribute to removal efforts later in the year.

Happy summer from all of us at the DR-WLE CWMA team!

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Photo 1: Two people walking on a grassy path with tall trees overhead
Photo 2: Two people observing a prairie with a nuclear power plant in the background
Photo 3: Small pink flowers in the middle of a marsh - an early-blooming flowering rush
Credit: DR-WLE CWMA

05/28/2026

This Spring, the CWMA worked with Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Volunteers to pull dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis) and garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) from refuge lands.

These invasive plants reproduce prolifically and can out compete native spring wildflowers.

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Photo: A hillside is covered in thick green vegetation with purple and white flowers dotting the upland. A man can be seen bent over in the background with a trash bag.
Credit: DR-WLE CWMA

05/27/2026

With spring bird migration well underway in Monroe and Wayne counties, how do invasive species impact one of our favorite groups of feathered friends, the warblers?

All migrating warblers need insects, predominantly caterpillars, to fuel their journey northwards and to feed their young.

Most caterpillars require native plants to grow and reproduce; invasive species can crowd out these native plants and reduce the number of caterpillars available to warblers.

For example, invasive shrub species like Autumn Olive and Tree-of-heaven can prevent the establishment of oak trees by shading out seedlings - and oaks play host to hundreds of caterpillar species in Michigan!

Do your part to support warbler migration and breeding success by removing invasive plants and replacing them with a variety of native plants to your area!

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Photo 1: Small bird perched on a branch in a green forest
Credit: Isaac Polanski; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library

05/20/2026

Have YOU heard about Go Beyond Beauty?

No worries if you haven’t, the Detroit River – Western Lake Erie CWMA is here to explain because—drum roll please—we have joined as the Go Beyond Beauty hub for Wayne and Monroe counties!
Now let’s get into it.

Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network is where it all started. Our fellow CISMA created this program in their area as a way to celebrate YOU, garden professionals (nurseries, growers, and landscapers), at no cost, who are dedicated to not using or selling priority invasive ornamental species. Many participants in this program even prioritize the use and distribution of native species, contributing to the protection and enhancement of Michigan native habitats. And habitat doesn’t mean just wild areas like the woods or prairies! Habitat can be your yard, too! This program has since expanded and evolved to cover 37 counties in Michigan with 11 participating hubs for those counties (as of this post)!

And now it’s not just formal nurseries, landscapers, and growers who are part of the Go Beyond Beauty movement—non-gardening professionals are now accepted too! Participation is open to other organizations, garden clubs, businesses, and individuals who want to make a similar commitment.

If this sounds like something you’re interested in, please check out the Go Beyond Beauty website or reach out to us and we’d be happy to chat and get you signed up!

for wildlife, clean waters, and beautiful gardens

05/08/2026

This week CWMA staff attended the two-day Detroit River Water Festival at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. This event is put on annually for local elementary school students by the Friends of the Detroit River.

The CWMA was able to present to over 150 local fourth and fifth grade students about invasive species and what we can all do to prevent their spread.

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Photo 1: Two women stand in front of a dozen children outside in a field.
Photo 2: A group of children stand in front of a table in an open field. There is a man behind the table who points to a boy with his hand raised.
Credit: DR-WLE CWMA

05/07/2026

This week the DR-WLE CWMA kicked off the start of survey season! The entire CWMA staff surveyed part of the DNR’s Erie State Game Area, our southernmost partner unit.

CWMA staff are excited for a field season full of boots on the ground invasive species management work!

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Photo: Two people stand in very tall brown grass with shorter green plants growing among them.
Credit: DR-WLE CWMA

04/30/2026

This week we are introducing our new seasonal invasive species technicians!

Please join us in welcoming Isaiah!

Isaiah grew up in the Twin Cities where he received his BS in Ecology from the University of Minnesota. He later moved to Ann Arbor to study tree swallows at the University of Michigan, receiving his MS in Ecosystem Science and Management. He has also worked as a lab technician studying oak physiology, a conservation biology instructor, and a professional gardener.

Isaiah has a big interest in conservation and restoration and aspires to have a career in research, public lands, and environmental stewardship. In his free time, he enjoys birding with his partner and friends, gardening, baking bread, and listening to good music.

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Photo: A man smiles wearing a sunhat. There is an RV in the background.
Credit: Isaiah Clark

04/29/2026

This week we are introducing our new seasonal invasive species technicians!

Please join us in welcoming Alaina!

Alaina is a recent graduate from Lake Superior State University’s Fisheries and Wildlife Management program. During her time there, she completed her senior thesis on Bird Communities in Old Growth Forests and Earlier Successional Stages in Northern Michigan. While Alaina has a love for all creatures, she is especially interested in birds and insects!

For the past two summers, she worked for Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources as an Explorer Guide at Burt Lake State Park. She enjoyed teaching campers about our wonderful natural resources here in Michigan. Alaina is excited to start her journey here at the Detroit River-Western Lake Erie Cooperative W**d Management Area. She loves learning new things and looks forward to learning more about invasive species while also doing her part to protect native species.

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Photo: A woman smiles in front of a guardrail. Behind her there is a gently flowing stream with lots of plant life.
Credit: Alaina Kecskes

04/16/2026

Celebrate Earth Day with us at the 2026 Monroe County Earth Day Expo!

This free event takes place on April 25th at Monroe County Community College from 11:00-2:00.

This event features live music, food trucks, and opportunities to win prizes.

To learn more about this event, Follow the link below:

https://www.co.monroe.mi.us/535/Earth-Day-Expo-2026

We hope to see you there!

Join the celebration of our planet and all things green at the Monroe County Earth Day Expo!