I grew up knowing that I needed to respect and protect the land.  When I retired in 2015, I knew I wanted to do volunteer work in Westfield, but I didn’t yet know that I would become part of an amazing group of individuals laser focused on protecting the land. I didn’t realize at the time the incredible toll that invasives were taking on our natural areas.  But I could see the need for more trees as Westfield underwent explosive growth.  Many of the older trees were being wiped out by development. Thankfully, my friend, Sarah Gillim started Westfield Green Together (WGT) and I got involved with the group in 2018. Through WGT, I made the connection to Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (HCSWCD).  It was during a meeting sponsored by HCSWCD that I first learned about the invasive issue.  I wanted to be a part of the solution and I became a founding member of the Hamilton Invasives Partnership (HIP) in 2019.  I am so thankful for the leadership at HCSWCD, my HIP family, and the partnership between WGT, HIP, and the City of Westfield.
 
Advice for someone getting started:
Get the right gear for the job.  Safety glasses. Tool belt.  Great gloves.  Farmer’s sleeves. And most importantly, bug spray for the summer.  Once you go to one weed wrangle, you’ll be hooked!  It’s a great way to meet incredible, dedicated, like minded persons like you. You always feel like you made a difference!
 
Favorite Nature Spot in Hamilton County:                       :
There are so many it’s hard to choose just one!  But I have to choose my “home park” and that is Raymond Worth.  It’s been a dream to see it transformed from an invasive species nightmare into what is now a phenomenal park.
 
One word that describes my volunteer work: 
Restoration.  I want to do my best to restore habitats in our natural areas and help others understand how they can play a part in helping create native plant-based habitats on their own properties.

-Shelly 

Phragmites australis, also known as Common Reed, is a tall, perennial grass found along the edges of lakes, ponds, ditches, wetlands, and other drainage areas. While a native subspecies exists, it’s the non-native, invasive strain of Phragmites that poses serious ecological challenges. This aggressive invader spreads rapidly forming dense patches that disrupt pond ecosystems, degrade habitat, and reduce overall pond health.

At first glance, Phragmites may appear harmless—lush, green, and even attractive—but beneath the surface, it’s one of the most ecologically damaging wetland invaders in North America. Once established, it can dominate shorelines and shallow waters, outcompeting native species and altering the function of entire aquatic systems.

To learn more about how to identify and manage Phragmites australis, please see this fact sheet from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources on Common Reed or email Jacob Luken ([email protected]) for a personalized management plan on your property. 

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