Remove Invasives Partnership (RIP) has a goal of eliminating the sale of invasive plants in Franklin County. Thank you for volunteering to reach out to local nurseries to encourage them to discontinue the sale of harmful plants and to provide native species as alternatives.
Below you will find information that will help in your conversations. For more information on how to talk to nurseries, please look at the flyer from a similar initiative at this link: https://plantright.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/PlantRight-CNPS_How-to-Talk-to-Nurseries_2015.pdf
· Most landowners unknowingly purchase and plant invasive species.
· Many landowners express regret and frustration when planted species become problematic on their landscapes.
· Due to survival strategies such as prolific fruit/seed production, wide tolerance of growing conditions, invasive plants escape their original planting site easily and invade other areas, including parks, public spaces, ROWs, and private property.
· Invasive plants are widely recognized as a threat to natural areas. Common problems caused by invasive plant infestations include tree death, erosion of creek and riverbanks, reduced tree reproduction, plant suppression, degraded wildlife habitat, loss of aesthetic beauty, impaired use of property.
· A 2005 study estimated that the economic damages associated with invasive species in the United States reached approximately $120 billion/year (USFWS 2012). This cost has increased substantially since 2005.
· Invasive species make land less attractive and less productive while reducing overall property values.
· Invasive plants have been formally identified by the Kentucky Invasive Pest Council, a nonprofit with membership that includes state and federal agencies and universities. The board offers a list of plants that pose threats to the Kentucky economy and natural resources. Their complete list can be found at this link: https://www.se-eppc.org/ky/KYEPPC_2013list.pdf Here is a list of the top species that we are currently working to eliminate from markets in Franklin County:
UNACCEPTABLE GROUNDCOVERS AND VINES:
Asian bittersweet, Celastrus orbiculatus
Crown vetch, Coronilla varia (synonymous with Securigera varia)
English Ivy, Hedera helix
Honeysuckle Japanese, Lonicera japonica
Moneywort, Lysamachia nummularia
Periwinkle, Vinca minor
Porcelain berry, Ampelopsis brevipedunculata
Sweet autumn clematis, Clematis terniflora
Wintercreeper, Euonymus fortunei
Wisteria floribunda, Wisteria sinensis
UNACCEPTABLE HERBACEOUS PLANTS:
Dame’s Rocket, Hesperis matronalis
Lesser celandine, Ranunculus ficaria
Ox-eye daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare
Purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria
Star of Bethlehem, Ornithagalum umbellatum
Sweetclovers, Melilotus alba, M. officinalis
UNACCEPTABLE TREES AND SHRUBS
Autumn olive, Elaeagnus umbellata
Barberry Japanese, Berberis thunbergia
Bradford/Callery Pear, Pyrus calleryana
Buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica, Rhamnus frangula
Burning Bush, Euonymus alatus
Bush honeysuckles, Lonicera maackii, L. morrowii L. tartarica, L. standishii, L. fragrantissima
Butterfly Bush, Buddleja davidii
Chinese Holly, Ilex cornuta
Golden Raintree, Koelreuteria paniculate
Heavenly bamboo, Nandina domestica
Japanese barberry, Berberis thunbergii
Japanese spiraea, Spiraea japonica
Mimosa, Alibizia julibrissin
Norway maple, Acer platanoides
Princess tree, Paulownia tomentosa
Privet, Ligustrum sinense, L.vulgare
UNACCEPTABLE GRASSES
Giant Reed, Arundo donax
Maiden grass/ Chinese silver grass, Miscanthus sinensis
RIP is also soliciting letters from area businesses, including nurseries, that support a ban on the sale of invasive plants. These letters should be addressed “To whom it may concern” as they might be used in a future statewide effort to ban the sale of invasive plants.
RIP (Remove Invasives Partnership) of Franklin County was formed in 2017 to protect the local ecosystem by removing invasive pest plants and educating and inspiring the public to remove invasive plants. Since then, RIP has conducted 18 workshops involving nearly 200 people that have educated the public while improving East Frankfort Park, Dolly Graham Park, Cove Springs Park, Lakeview Park, Liberty Hall, Melodye Park, and areas in Peaks Mill as well as select private properties. For questions or more information visit www.ripfc.net or contact Chris Schimmoeller at c.schimmoeller@gmail.com or 502-226-5751.
