Phragmites is a tall decorative plant that if allowed to get into the wild will take over large tracts of land. It is a tough invasive plant. Wednesday on Rhinelander's far west side, a group of volunteers and staff made one more attempt to restore the area.
The Oneida County Aquatic Invasive Team has been managing the half-acre site on Highway 8 for the past few years.
Oneida County AIS Coordinator Stephanie Boismenue says phragmites can grow up to 20 feet tall and can over take the native plants in a wetland area. Wednesday the group helped restore most of the area with 200 native plants...
"....we had Blue Flag Iris, Cordgrass, Joe Pye Weed. They are native plants and prefer to have wet feet. They grow in wetlands, shorelines and the water as well...."
Boismenue says volunteers were key to success...
"....engaging volunteers in this restoration project is an essential component to fighting invasive species. It's also an essential component to our county managing this invasive....."
Before Wednesday's dig there were 100 phragmites plants that averaged about three feet in height. Boismenue says now there are a couple plants left, but mainly native plants in the one-time taken over site.
