Recent Work
What has the CAKE CISMA team been working on lately? Read on to find out more.
2022 Black Swallow-wort Initiative
Black swallow-wort is an invasive plant that causes big problems, especially for monarch butterflies! CAKE CISMA has been working hard to treat black swallow-wort again this year in downtown Petoskey and we made a lot of progress.
Black Swallow-wort Initative
In the spring of 2022 CAKE CISMA teamed up with Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and the Charlevoix County Community Foundation to remove invasive shrubs from the Cosner-Bennett Preserve located near East Jordan. This site was chosen because of its proximity to Bennett Creek, an important local water feature that flows into the Jordan River.
Following invasive shrub removal and treatment, the area was replanted with native trees. This effort would not have been possible without support from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation.
Garlic Mustard Pulls
Garlic mustard is a herbaceous, flowering plant that smells like garlic when crushed. It's a notorious invasive species that's a concern because it spreads quickly through woodlots, outcompeting understory plants including tree seedlings.
We've spent some time this spring teaming up with some of our partner organizations and pulling garlic mustard in high-priority natural areas. Garlic mustard is an easy invasive plant to control mechanically, if you see some feel free to pull it before it goes to seed!
Cosner-Bennett Preserve Restoration Effort
In the spring of 2022 CAKE CISMA teamed up with Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and the Charlevoix County Community Foundation to remove invasive shrubs from the Cosner-Bennett Preserve located near East Jordan. This site was chosen because of its proximity to Bennett Creek, an important local water feature that flows into the Jordan River.
Following invasive shrub removal and treatment, the area was replanted with native trees. This effort would not have been possible without support from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation.
Tool Lending Library
In 2021 CAKE CISMA received a generous grant from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation to create a tool lending library for Charlevoix County residents. The lending library includes larger specialized tools for removing invasive species without herbicides as well as information on which invasives can be treated this way. It is our vision that this lending library will empower residents of Charlevoix County to replant and restore natural areas within their community. Many of the tools offered are also great for planting those native plants and trees after invasive species treatment!
The lending library is open and available now at the Boyne District Library!
