Invasive Species

Non-native Invasive Plant Program

The Southern Region Invasive Plants Program provides technical and financial support for the 13 Southern state forestry and agricultural agencies. The diversity of landscapes across the South lead to a diverse group of plants targeted for control. Our invasive plant program managers are actively involved in the regional Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council, many state pest plant councils and the Regional Invasive Species Issue Team.

Program Highlights:

Funding comes from both Program and LSR competitive grants. In 2014, 27,400 acres were treated. In 2015, 9 forestry and 1 state agricultural agency was funded.

Program Successes:

Successful eradication efforts:

For the first time since the Southern Region’s Forest Health Protection Program began funding cogongrass control in 2004 for the state of Georgia, there are more dead cogongrass spots in the state than new areas of cogongrass being reported. This is an example of what multiple years of monitoring and treatments can lead to, halting the spread of this noxious weed.

Landowner support programs:

The Mississippi Forestry Commission has been treating cogongrass spots for rural landowners for many years through USFS LSR grants. They are able to provide the treatments free of charge to the landowner ($400 per acre) and have treated over 24,000 spots equaling 3,175 acres of cogongrass. The average MS landowner cannot afford this cost and they are very grateful for this assistance.

Early detection and rapid response:

The only known infestation of the highly invasive Brazilian Peppertree was identified on Jekyll Island, GA on June 24 2014 and promptly treated on June 25 2014 by the Georgia Forestry Commission. Future inspections will occur in spring 2015 to ensure complete eradication.

Extending the value of our support:

The use of partnerships, cooperative weed management areas and volunteers are used throughout the Southern region to extend the value of our financial support that we give state partners. For example, we funded the Tennessee Department of Agriculture $25,000 to support 75 acres of treatments across three Nashville area parks. Because of additional support from local partnerships and volunteer groups, the total acres treated at the end of the project equaled 778 acres, a 1,037% increase!