Workshop shows how to remove invasive plants

Next free event in February examines oak wilt identification, treatment.

Ari Henson, restoration coordinator of the Allegan Conservation District, demonstrates how to prepare an invasives treatment on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Laketown Township Hall, 4338 Beeline Road. No chemicals were used, just water and food dye for this demonstration.

Removing invasive plants helps the ecosystem and the people who live in it, Ari Henson told the participants at the indoor winter parks program sponsored by the Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission at the Laketown Township Hall, 4338 Beeline Road, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.

“It’s good to take action. You can make a plan,” the restoration coordinator of the Allegan Conservation District said.

Ari Henson, restoration coordinator of the Allegan Conservation District, holds a piece of invasive bittersweet during a workshop on invasive treatment on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Laketown Township Hall, 4338 Beeline Road.

She presented an overview of common invasive species and methods to treat them. Much of her focus was on the cut-stump method, demonstrating how to eradicate plants such as autumn olive, buckthorn and invasive bittersweet.

Henson led the 15 people in the audience through the safety procedures and techniques for cutting the plants and dabbing herbicide to prevent regrowth. No actual chemicals were used in the demonstration – just water and food dye.

Ari Henson, restoration coordinator of the Allegan Conservation District, shows some of the equipment that can be used to treat invasives during a workshop on invasive treatment on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Laketown Township Hall, 4338 Beeline Road.

Future programs

The next indoor winter program is 1 p.m. Feb. 7 at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road. Ben Savoie will lead a free presentation of oak wilt including the cause, prevention and how to stop the spread of this disease.

In March, Andy Rozendaal, farm director of Eighth Day Farm in Holland, will lead a Kitchen Herb Garden presentation with suggestions for using the herbs in cooking by Corey Mitchell from The Beard and The Gal. The date has not yet been set but it will be at the Carriage House at The Felt Estate, 6579 138th Ave.  Rozendaal will be bringing herbs to demonstrate a small kitchen garden planter and gardening information for those who have more garden space.

Ari Henson, restoration coordinator of the Allegan Conservation District, demonstrates how to prepare an invasives treatment on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Laketown Township Hall, 4338 Beeline Road. No chemicals were used, just water and food dye for this demonstration.

The parks commission started its winter programs in early 2025 with presentations including hands-only CPR, mushroom identification and butterfly gardens.

This winter’s programs started in November for Native American Heritage Month with a workshop on “Talking Sticks,” an object traditionally used in council circles to designate who had the right to speak.

For more information, email Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commissioner MaryJo Bertolino at parks@laketowntwp.org.

People listen to a workshop on treatment of invasive species by Ari Henson, restoration coordinator of the Allegan Conservation District, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Laketown Township Hall, 4338 Beeline Road.