Amur Honeysuckle and Tree of Heaven have spread throughout our parks and bike path system. These species are native to Asia, and without any natural predators here in Ohio, they far outbalance the abilities of native plants to thrive. Without attention, these species creep across the bike paths and can make them unusable. Their shallow root systems contribute to erosion into the Great Miami River. For more information on these and other invasive species, please visit the Ohio Invasive Plants Council website.
Environmental and Recreation Services has contracted to remove these invasive species systematically over the course of several seasons. Those using the parks and bike paths may see areas of brown dead vegetation after invasive species are killed. This unattractive result will go away over the course of a few years as rain, snow, and ice storms come to break down the material into a forest-floor mulch. Once the light is able to reach the forest floor again, native seeds already in the ground will germinate, and treated areas will once again grow to contribute to the delicate balance of our local ecosystem and establish the deep roots needed to hold soil in place. Views of the river that have slowly disappeared over time will be restored.
We are thankful for a partnership with Down a River Down a Beer and the Middle Great Miami Watershed Alliance as we coordinate our efforts to protect our waterways and parks.