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

Take Back Your Land!

There are many things you can do immediately to help prevent the spread of invasive, non-native plants:

• Pull'em! Learn how to identify invasive species and use the best control method for your situation
  
• Don't plant invasives. Make sure plants that you are selecting are not known to be invasive and when possible select plants that are native to Ohio or surrounding states
  
• Report infestations. Your input on our online weed tracking page can help us identify the spread of invasive species and help stop infestations before they become larger
  
• Get involved! Become a member or volunteer of the IFCWMA