Session 1 will cover how and when purple loosestrife was introduced to North America, what makes it invasive, how to properly identify it and distinguish it from common look-alikes.

Registration is required in order to receive the link for the online lesson.

Purple loosestrife is a problematic invasive species in Northern Michigan, establishing itself in wetland areas where it forces out native plants and disrupts fish and wildlife communities.

Hosted via Zoom, an online conferencing tool.

Agenda is as follows:

• Introduction
• Overview of invasive species
• Purple loosestrife history, habitat, identification, invasive characteristics and look-alikes
• Q&A

Hosted by Huron Pines Environmental Education Coordinator Emily Vogelgesang and Huron Pines AmeriCorps member Jennifer Klemm.

This is part one of a two-part instruction on identifying, monitoring and reporting purple loosestrife. Those wishing to take part in the Aug. 6 session need to attend this first one session.

Funding for this session is provided in part by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust, Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program, Au Sable River Watershed Committee and the U.S. Forest Service.

Huron-Manistee National Forest of the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Huron Pines are working cooperatively to develop and implement educational and outreach activities related to non-native invasive species in the community and schools within the Mio and Huron Shores Rangers Districts.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.