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Extension agent details county invasive-species work, cites kudzu partnerships
Summary
Anna Rogers of Kentucky State University told the Franklin County Fiscal Court the local invasive-species task force ran volunteer work parties, expanded outreach and is targeting six known kudzu sites with partners including Buffalo Trace and Castle & Key distilleries; she urged continued public engagement and noted possible state legislative action on invasive-plant lists.
Anna Rogers, an extension and research associate with Kentucky State University's forestry and natural resource program, told the Franklin County Fiscal Court on March 4 that the county's invasive-species task force has focused on volunteer engagement, education and targeted site work over the past year. The task force, formed by joint resolutions of the city and county, meets quarterly to coordinate removal and management across public and private properties.
Rogers said the volunteers hosted six work parties last year, primarily at East Frankfort Park, and reported seeing native wildflowers return after removing midstory bush honeysuckle. She highlighted a QR-linked field guide produced by the Kentucky Invasive Plant Council and University of Kentucky Forestry and said a new task-force website is available to residents seeking guidance and resources.
On outreach, Rogers cited the Bradford Bounty program that exchanges proof-of-removal photos of Bradford pear trees for native replacements; she said county participants submitted 85 photos last year. She also described a partnership-driven effort to tackle kudzu at six sites in the county, naming Buffalo Trace Distillery and Castle & Key Distillery among local partners and noting work with public-rights-of-way and private landowners.
Rogers said invasive-species control is now a USDA priority and that there is state-level attention to compiling a legislative list of regulated invasive plants; she said advocates expect movement on a legislative list this summer but did not claim certainty about timing. In response to questions, she urged public-facing volunteer events (removals and native-plant replacements) and said the Kentucky Invasive Plant Council, which she serves as secretary of, is updating the state list.
The court thanked the presenter and encouraged staff to maintain communication with the task force for coordination on county properties and public notices. Rogers said additional volunteer work parties are planned, including a session later in the month and ongoing collaboration with both public and private partners.
