Agencies to host invasive species buy-back program

Erie MetroParks and Erie Soil and Water Conservation District are teaming up to bring awareness about the invasive species that may be growing in your backyard by encouraging landowners to remove the invasives to improve watershed health, according to a news release.

Specifically, the agencies are targeting Callery Pear, Tree of Heaven, Autumn Olive and Bush Honeysuckle, the release said.

If you have one of these species on your property, you’ll have a chance to get a free native plant in exchange for cutting down/removing the targeted invasive out of your yard, according to the release.

Tree and shrub quantities are limited, so this program is first come, first served, the release said.

Any Erie County resident may participate in the program as long as they remove a designated invasive plant from their property, according to the release.

“You will need to provide a photo of the invasive plant,” the release said. “The photo must include you with the target invasive species cut down.

“Additional photos with a close-up of removed species are preferred for identifying purposes. All photos must be submitted by Sept. 1.”

Currently, the agencies are accepting photo submissions of removed Callery (Bradford) Pear, Tree of Heaven, Autumn Olive, or Bush Honeysuckle, the release said.

Submission photos should be submitted through Survey 123.

Visit eriemetroparks.org/buyback for more information or visit https://tinyurl.com/2td9bd86 to submit directly.

There, you can get information and see photos for identification purposes, according to the release.

While the agencies encourage the removal of all the invasive species on your property, this program is a 1:1 trade in, the release sad.

There is a limit of one native species per household.

The species that will be awarded in trade are Paw paw, Bur oak, Nannyberry or Sycamore.

There also will be a variety of pollinator packs to choose from including Black-eyed Susan, Purple coneflower, Culver’s root, Sweet joe pye and Dense blazing star, the release said.

The pollinator packs will be available for pick-up at an earlier date.

For any questions you can reach out to Tara Kauffman tkauffman@eriemetroparks.org 419-625-7783 ext. 236 or Breann Hohman at bhohman@eriecounty.oh.gov or call 419-626-5211.

Pick up date for native plant trade in will take place during Fall Fest at Osborn MetroPark on Sept. 21.

You may contact Kauffman if an alternate date needs to be arranged.