The Brickyard Nature Park is about to get a serious makeover. Invasive plant species have overtaken the understory of the forest, outcompeting Indiana native species for resources and depriving the animals that live here of nutritious food.
What is an invasive species? In short, an invasive species is a species that is non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Invasive plants rapidly spread and outcompete native plants. Landscapes that once flourished with life, turn into a monoculture of plants unfamiliar to the local wildlife. Asian Bush Honeysuckle is a notorious invasive plant found all over the state. Most animals will not eat the berries off this plant. If they do, it lacks nutritional value. Some relate this to eating fast food every day. This is not sustainable.
Made possible by the Montgomery Community Foundation, the Montgomery County Soil & Water Conservation District in partnership with the Crawfordsville Parks & Recreation will facilitate the removal of these invasive species through the contracted labor and expertise of ArborTerra Consulting Inc. Removal of invasive species will promote the growth of native plants and wildflowers in the park for the benefit of wildlife and the visitors’ experience. Work is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
Some of the invasive species that will be targeted at the Brickyard Nature Park are Asian Bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii, L. tatarica, L. morrowii, L. X bella), Privet (Ligustrum obtusifolium) and Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellate).
In order to perform the duties of the workplan safely and efficiently, the Brickyard Nature Park will experience some park closure days. These work days are not yet scheduled, but will be made available to the public with ample notice.
To learn more about this project and invasive species, visit www.montgomerycoswcd.com.
