Invasives topic of upcoming parks program

Identifying invasive species and ways to deal with them is the focus of the Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission indoor program on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Felt Estate, 6597 138^th Ave.

The free event is 10 a.m. at the Carriage House, the red building to the right upon entering the drive to the estate. Parking can fill up quickly. If full, continue on to the large parking lot at Shore Acres Park, a short walk from the Carriage House.

For more information on the programs, the Felt Estate and Laketown parks, visit here.

Presenters

Murielle Garbarino, West Michigan CISMA coordinator, and Jason Cass, conservation technician from the Allegan Conservation District, will lead the presentation that will cover the identification of woody invasive plants. The discussion will also focus on the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), and treatment options for these.

“Homeowners should be concerned about these issues because invasive species harm native ecosystems by outcompeting native plants and altering habitats,” Cass said. “In particular, the potential to lose many of our native hemlock trees to HWA could be an ecological and economic concern to local residents.”

About hemlock woolly adelgid

The hemlock woolly adelgid – Adelges tsugae, a native of East Asia — is present in Laketown Township, including the Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Sanctuary Woods, Huyser Farm Park and Wolters Woods Park.

Michigan is home to an estimated 170 million eastern hemlock trees which provide important habitat and protect against erosion along rivers and streams, the state reports on its website. The hemlock woolly adelgid sucks sap from hemlock needles, killing the needles, shoots and branches and, if left untreated, can cause tree death in 4 to 10 years.

This invasive is transferred by birds, other wildlife, wind, and on gear, equipment, clothing, infested nursery stock or other materials, according to the state. Hemlock woolly adelgid can be moved when infested branches are trimmed and disposed of, and by vehicles or equipment brushing against infested branches.

The state offers treatment options on its website as well.

Working together

Partners for the March 29 event are Laketown Township, Allegan Conservation District, Ottawa Conservation District, and West Michigan CISMA.

The Allegan and Ottawa conservation districts are local resources for natural resource management, helping land users conserve, maintain and improve natural resources and environment for future generations.

The West Michigan Conservation Network, formerly the West Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA), covers Allegan, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, and Ottawa counties. It is a volunteer organization composed of environmental groups, governmental organizations, non-profit organizations, and private citizens working to address invasive species on a local scale. 

About the indoor programs

The invasives presentation is part of the first season of indoor programs sponsored by the parks commission.

Events started in January with a hands-only CPR course led by the Graafschap Fire Department. In February, more than 70 people packed the Carriage House to talk wild mushroom identification.

In April, the topic is The Butterfly Garden presented by Melissa Eikenberry of Hosting Butterflies at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Carriage House. The event is free.