MITCHELL – In April, Spring Mill State Park held a Weed Wrangle that was co-sponsored by the Friends of Spring Mill State Park, and Lawrence County Keep Invasives in Check.
A weed wrangle is an event that invites people out to help control invasive plants (weeds) that make a difference in a natural ecosystem.
At the April event, there were 41 volunteers who came out and pulled 230 pounds of garlic mustard.
“It’s been amazing and encouraging to see the response by the public to our Weed Wrangle and Garlic Mustard Pull events,” said Sheree Belt.
She said it was great to see families bring their children and teach them what an invasive plant is and to how show them how we can all make a difference with each invasive plant they pull, each native plant that they buy , and each habitat that they restore.
The volunteers were served lunch by the Friends group.
The event won a Weed Wrangle award from the Indiana Invasive Initiative at their August conference.
Weed wrangles across the state competed for the awards based on criteria such as attendance, educational value, and accomplishments. The Spring Mill event won second place and was awarded a puller bear weed tool. These are large wrenches that help pull invasive bushes and trees out by their roots.
The tool is available for loan with the invasive tool kit for anyone in Lawrence County to check out and use. Call the Lawrence County Soil and Water District to check out the tool.
