Group seeking volunteers for Riverwalk invasive species eradication efforts

The newly formed group, Invasive Species Awareness Coalition of Dubois County (ISAC), is holding a volunteer “Helping Jasper’s Nature” day on Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to noon to help improve the natural habitat along Jasper’s beautiful Riverwalk.

Volunteers from ISAC spent several hours identifying and mapping invasive plants along a section of the Riverwalk earlier this spring and have discussed invasive species issues with park staff.

On the May 7 workday, anyone interested in helping with the natural beauty of the Riverwalk is encouraged to volunteer to help out. No knowledge of plant species is necessary, as volunteers will be grouped with knowledgeable ISAC members to help eradicate invasive plants.

Volunteers should wear long pants and sturdy shoes and are asked to bring work gloves and their own pruners, loppers or handsaws. The workday volunteers will meet in the gazebo area of the Riverwalk.

Invasive species are plants that are not native to our area and tend to spread so that native vegetation cannot flourish. ISAC Dubois County was formed this past winter to focus on public awareness, mapping and eradication of invasive species in Dubois County. The group is made up of concerned landowners, nature enthusiasts, public lands managers and natural resource professionals. ISAC intends to host more volunteer days at other public lands across Dubois County in the future.

Any resident who would like to volunteer is asked to RSVP to group president Ron Rathfon by May 5. You can also find out more about the group by contacting Ron at 812-936-7081 or ronr@purdue.edu.