Home | Fisheries | Habitat Restoration | Invasive Species | Wildlife | Links.

Riparian Habitat | Wetland Habitat | In-Stream Habitat.
Invasive Species | Natural Communities.
Fish Passage/Dam Removal | Grassland/Early Successional Habitats

Invasive Species

Wetland and upland habitats of the Lake Champlain and Connecticut River valleys have been adversely affected by the introduction of several non-native species. Two species, purple loosestrife and water chestnut, invade wetland areas and out compete native plants often resulting in monotypic stands with adverse consequences to native fish and wildlife.

Working with the VT Department of Environmental Conservation, the Partners Program has assisted with the propagation and release of insects that feed exclusively on purple loosestrife which has resulted in significant reductions of loosestrife abundance in targeted wetlands.

Hand-pulling water chestnut

In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, the Partners Program has assisted with efforts to remove water chestnut infestations from the Lake Champlain wetlands of New York and Vermont. This occurs through the arduous task of hand-pulling the plants before they set seed. With assistance of many dedicated volunteers, water chestnut has been significantly reduced in many areas. Costs for invasive species control projects range from $100-$500 per acre.