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Invasive‑species task force highlights school and park removals, seeks landowner partnerships
Summary
The county’s Invasive Species Joint Task Force presented before the fiscal court on Feb. 26, reporting volunteer work at schools and parks, a $15,000 Bluegrass Community Foundation fund, and a new Kentucky State University extension specialist assigned to the county.
Chris Schimler, chair of the Franklin County Joint Task Force on Invasive Species, gave an update at the Feb. 26 work session on the group’s volunteer and partnership work, priorities for 2025, and a new staff resource from Kentucky State University.
Schimler told the court the task force dates to 2021 and evolved from community groups such as Remove Invasives Partnership (RIP). Volunteers have removed invasive plants at sites including Elkhorn Middle School, Lakeview Park, Liberty Hall and the riverbank behind the library. Schimler described common problems — bush honeysuckle, winter creeper and Bradford pear — and said invasives suppress native regeneration and degrade habitat and erosion control.
The group has a fund at the Bluegrass Community Foundation with about $15,000 in it, Schimler said, and small‑scale herbicide and treatment costs are frequently paid out of pocket by volunteers. Schimler asked the court to consider low‑cost support — such as supplying herbicide or incidentals through a county department or partner organization — and noted the task force seeks a nonprofit or government fiscal partner to disburse larger donations.
Good news: Schimler announced Kentucky State University created a new extension position for forestry and invasive species in the county; Anna Claire Rogers filled that role and will provide staff‑level support. Schimler also said the task force’s 2025 priorities include treating six identified kudzu sites and continuing “Bradford Pear Bounty Day” removals.
Magistrates and the judge praised the volunteers and discussed options for county support, including a possible line item in the road department or a cooperative approach with public works to haul debris after work parties. The judge and other officials also asked staff to identify funding or logistics support so the task force doesn’t absorb all small costs personally.
Speakers quoted are limited to the meeting transcript: Chris Schimler (task force chair), Anna Claire Rogers (KSU extension specialist — named by Schimler), and Judge Mueller.
