Iron Furnace CWMA

The Iron Furnace Cooperative Weed Management Area (IFCWMA) is a diverse group of private landowners, agencies, organizations, local governments and concerned citizens working across jurisdictional boundaries to manage invasive plants. The IFCWMA was formed in September 2006 and is the first CWMA in Ohio. Our project area is located in four Counties in Southern Ohio: Lawrence, Gallia, Scioto and Jackson.

The Problem with Invasive Plants

Invasive plants are non-native plants that escape and aggressively reproduce. They can drastically change our native environment and even threaten our economy. There are a concern because they:

• crowd out and even hybridize with native plants
  
• decrease native food sources for wildlife
  
• decrease tree growth and forest productivity
  
• change soil properties
  
• alter hydrology and damage aquatic ecosystems
  
• threaten rare and endangered species

Many of us like to plant flowers, trees and shrubs that adapt well to any environment, and produce showy flowers and fruits. Unfortunately, many of the characteristics that make them desirable in the landscape make them very invasive in natural areas. A few ways you can help to curb the invasive species problem in your community include:

• Make sure plants that you are selecting are not known to be invasive
  
• When possible select plants that are native to Ohio or surrounding states
  
• Learn to identify invasive plant species and how to manage them
  
• Get involved! Become a part of the IFCWMA.

Kudzu
Kudzu kills or degrades other plants by covering them under a solid blanket of leaves, by girdling woody stems and tree
trunks, and by breaking branches or uprooting entire trees and shrubs through the sheer force of its weight
For long term control of kudzu, the entire root system must be destroyed.

For more information about how to get rid of invasive plants, check the Control Methods section.