Partcipate in a Garlic Mustard Pull on April 26!

During the town's Clean Up Weekend, April 25-26, join the Ogden Dunes Environmental Advisory Board in a "Garlic Mustard Pull" along the Sand Tracks. Meet at the Tennis Courts on Diana Rd. at 4:00 p.m.

We'll show you how to spot and pull first-year sprouts of this alien biennial invader that crowds out native species and harms the soil. We'll also show you how to properly dispose of it (rather than just throwing on the ground, which really does not help!). The event will officially end at 5:30 p.m. -- that is unless you wish to keep at it!

As you can see from the photos above, first-year and second-year Garlic Mustard looks remarkably different. If you can manage to get most of the first-year sprouts out of the ground, the invasion won't be as bad the next year.

So wear some old clothes and come join us! Gloves and paper bags will be provided.

Lyme Grass May Assist in Beach Erosion

Residents need to be aware of an invasive species that is capable of causing erosion of foredunes on the beach. John Ervin, Regional Ecologist, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), recently discovered an invasion of Lyme Grass (Leymus arenarius (L.) Hochst.(= Elymus arenarius L.) on Ogden Dunes' beach.

According to Gerould Wilhelm, Conservation Design Forum, Elmhurst, IL, this plant's clumping nature promotes greater erosion, and it will eventually surplant Marram Grass, which is native to the Indiana Dunes. The Marram grass' root structure supports the establishment of foredunes, which are just important to protecting homes on Shore Drive.

While this ornamental grass is not noted federally as an invasive species, the State of Wisconsin is very concerned about an invasion in that state, where it appears to be spreading quickly and outcompeting native flora. Following is a link to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources information about this grass:http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/invasive_species/leyare01.htm

According to John Ervin, this grass can be distinguished from Marram Grass by its height, which is around 4 feet. If the Town of Ogden Dunes is able to sign an Memo of Understanding with IDNR, he may be able to control the invasion by applying a herbicide treatment to it this fall. (Thanks to Noel Pavlovic from the Indiana Dunes National Lakshore for the photo at the top of this page. He also found Lyme Grass back in 2004 in Miller.)

It is also important that all residents refrain from planting this type of ornamental grass in their yards. In the place of non-native grasses, many of which may be invasive to the Indiana Dunes, consider instead planting native grasses such as Prairie Dropseed (http://plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=sphe_004_avp.jpg), Big Blue Stem (http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch), Little Blue Stem http://plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=scsc_003_ahp.tif and Indian Grass (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SONU2&photoID=sonu2_014_ahp.tif).

Wildflowers on Show at Pollywog Pond

Now that much of the Phragmites is under control at Pollywog Pond, a number of native species are making an appearance right now. These include:

• Purple-leaved Willow Herb (Epilobium Coloratum)
• Upland White aster (Aster Ptarmicoides)
• Purple Gerardia (Gerardia Purpurea)
• Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
• Kalm’s Lobelia (Lobelia Kalmii)
• Water Horehound (Lycopus Americanus)
• Bushy aster (Aster dumosus)
• Common Bog Arrowgrass (Triglochin Maritime)
• Hardstem Bulrush (Scirpus Acutus)
• Smooth Sawgrass (Cladium Mariscoides)
• Juncus (Juncus spp.)

If you go out to enjoy them, please be careful not to trample them and leave them for others to enjoy.

Unfortunately, there are still, and will always be, some invasive species that need constant vigilance and control, including:

• Phragmites
• Reed Canary Grass
• Foxtail Grass, which is a popular ornamental that is now invasive
• Bull Thistle

The success of this project is key to the ongoing achievement and improvement associated with Ogden Dunes' participation in the Clean Community Challenge sponsored by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

April 26: Come Help Pull Garlic Mustard Invader!

During the town's Clean Up Weekend, April 25--26, join the Ogden Dunes Environmental Advisory Board in a "Garlic Mustard Pull" along the Sand Tracks. Meet at the Tennis Courts on Diana Rd. at 4:00 p.m.

We'll show you how to spot and pull first-year sprouts of this alien biennial invader that crowds out native species and harms the soil. See the previous posting for more information on this noxious weed. We'll also show you how to properly dispose of it. The event will officially end at 5:30 p.m. -- that is unless you wish to keep at it!

As you can see from the photos above, first-year and second-year Garlic Mustard looks remarkably different. If you can manage to get most of the first-year sprouts out of the ground, the invasion won't be as bad the next year.

So wear some old clothes and come join us! Gloves and paper bags will be provided.

Pollywog Pond Before and After

I finally had an opportunity to take some photos of ice skaters on Pollywog Pond. Please enjoy the before and after photos. The before photo was taken in May 2006; and the after photo was taken February 15, 2008.

The link below this photo has more information about this restoration project: http://odeab.blogspot.com/2008/01/pollywog-pond-fit-for-skating-again.html

This project is part of Ogden Dunes' ongoing participation in the Clean Community Challenge sponsored by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.