HIP Strike Team in Full Force

Taylor Wilson - Urban Conservation Technician 

​This October the Hamilton County Invasives Partnership successfully hosted two Strike Team events. The Strike Team is a team of trained volunteers who participate in “on the ground” efforts to combat invasive species. The group is led by experienced volunteers and SWCD staff who provide technical support and labor to remove invasive species at partner sites. The events this October took place at Fall Creek Woods Natural area in Fall Creek Township and at Macgregor Park in Westfield and focused on removing woody invasive species such as Callery pear, Asian bush honeysuckle, multiflora rose, and autumn olive. Between the 17 total volunteers, over 57 volunteer hours of invasive removal were completed!

​Invasive species are species that are non-native, aggressive, and cause harm to the environment, human health, and the economy. The proliferation of invasive species in an ecosystem disrupts the complex and critical relationships that our native species have with their environment and other organisms and is responsible for degrading and destroying thousands of acres of Indiana’s native plant communities. 
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If you’re interested in joining, sign up for Strike Team event notifications at www.hcinvasives.org. Anyone can join and training will be provided during events. Pre-registration and completion of an online training is required.