US 31 Wetland Corridor Beautification

Project goals: • Beautification • Invasive eradication • Respect of wetlands • Improve wildlife habitat • Invite people to Elk

Rapids

Limits of project • PROTECT WETLANDS • 50’ west of 31 • Appropriately

eradicate invasives • Eradicate poison ivy • Leave big dead trees

– trim for safety • Cut out dead willow • Plant native wetland

pretties • Plant upland pretties

• Honeysuckle • Dames rocket • Reed canary grass • Various thistles • Autumn olive • Russian olive • Wild parsnip • Spotted knapweed Poison ivy Wild grape Virginia creeper Detrimental species

Confirmed Invasives

Confirmed Invasives

Dame’s Rocket Invasive honeysuckles have a hollow stem

Reed Canary Grass

Various Thistles Autumn Olive Russian Olive

Confirmed Invasives

Wild Parsnip

Spotted Knapweed

Aggressive Natives

Virginia Creeper

Poison ivy

Eradication Methods

• Hand cut

• Hand pull

• Licensed applicator

• Limited use of herbicides

• Appropriate herbicide treatment for specific invasives

• Replant with natives

Wild grape is killing off trees, shrubs, and other valuable plants

Poison ivy lines the perimeter of wetland

Cut out dead Willow within the first 50’ of highway

Leave dead trees for wildlife habitat Trim for safety

This wetland is already beautiful – we just want to make it POP! WELCOME TO ELK RAPIDS!!

Line drawing of work

• Road right of way

• Triangle south of NWBank

• Plant the Road right of way uplands – bank

• North of blarney castle wetland and upland area

Upland plants to use in triangle and road right of way

Wetland Pretties

Questions

• Be respectful and courteous

• Offer suggestions not criticisms

• Have faith – we all love Elk Rapids and all it has to offer