Right now in late July, the central stalks are turning brown and the bright yellow dill like flowers are beginning turn a dull yellow-brown as seeds begin to form. In early July this three to five foot plant is often seen in overwhelming numbers along highways and county roads. Wild parsnip is a non-native invasive plant that blooms bright yellow in late June through mid-August. Healthy habitat returns after wild parsnip removal along Hwy 65 and N River Rd, Kinnickinnic Township (Photo by Margaret Smith) Wiping out wild parsnip removes dangerous plant and restores critical habitat Margaret also coordinated educational efforts including a class on identification and control for local property owners. This allowed the township to use the best control method for the area, saving money on unneeded pesticide and protecting local wildflowers and pollinators. Smith spearheaded an effort to collect information on the prevalence of wild parsnip along the roadways of Kinnickinnic township and organized a group of Master Gardeners and other volunteers who used a GPS mapping tool to identify the areas of low or high populations of wild parsnip. Croix Counties on efforts to control invasive and dangerous wild parsnip,” the council says. “Over the past three years, Margaret has worked tirelessly in Pierce and St. Margaret Smith was recently one of only four people across Wisconsin in 2020 to receive an “Invader Crusader” award from the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council, which honors Wisconsin citizens and organizations for their significant contribution to prevent, control or eradicate invasive species that harm Wisconsin’s lands, waters and wetlands. Known wild parsnip infestations in the upper Midwest- Great Lakes Early Detection Network.
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