Woodland Invasive Forb and Phragmites Inventory at Toft Point State Natural Area

My project aimed to create an inventory of invasive woodland plants in the upland forests of Toft Point state natural area. Toft Point is owned by the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and managed by the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity, a department within the university. My project was aimed at creating a partner inventory to another Door County Soil & Water department project aimed at surveying invasive trees and shrubs in natural areas around door county. My capstone focused on three target species: garlic mustard, garden valerian and hounds’ tongue as these three species were present, potentially very harmful to Toft Point’s ecosystem and capable of being controlled in house by the Cofrin Center without additional funding or help. I also aimed to create an inventory of Phragmites australis at Toft Point which is increasing in abundance and hybridizing with the increasingly rare native Phragmites americanus. To complete this I would use Arc GIS Field Maps downloaded on my phone to place points and polygons on populations of my target invasive species. I was able to survey the vast majority of Toft Point’s woodlands but did not have time to map Phragmites. My mentor and I were also able to coordinate with the Cofrin Center’s student natural areas crew to follow in my wake and manually remove the populations I discovered on several occasions therefore removing almost half of all the populations discovered. My project was designed to be able to be carried on or expanded in future years by other CCB students and staff.