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Balcom, Nancy C., Les, Donald, Jeffrey, Roy. 1998. "Plant Native": An Educational Campaign Encouraging the Use of Plant Species in Ornamental Water Gardens. University of Connecticut Abstracts from the Eighth International Zebra Mussel and Other Nuisance Species Conference, Sacramento California March 16-19, 1998 "Plant Native": An Educational Campaign Encouraging the Use of Plant Species in Ornamental Water GardensThe discovery of Hydrilla verticillata in two Connecticut lakes in 1996-97 and the growing popularity of ornamental water gardens overall have raised concerns about the common availability of certain nonindigenous invasive aquatic plants through catalogues, large "do-it-yourself" home stores, and local nurseries. Some of these plant species, such as Hydrilla, Egeria, Myriophyllum and Cabomba, have the potential to cause tremendous ecological and economic damage, if they were to "escape" or inadvertently be introduced into public water supply reservoirs or lakes. Despite this, an informal survey of the owner/operators of Connecticut nurseries and large retail outlets found that these non-native plants are stocked and sold because there is a demand for them. The same owner/operators indicated a willingness to promote the use of native plants, if alternatives were suggested and made available to them, and money would not be lost in the process. In response, an educational program is being initiated in Connecticut, bringing together the expertise of Sea Grant extension educators, plant scientists at the University of Connecticut, and the Master Gardener Program of the Cooperative Extension System. The theme of the program is "Plant Native," encouraging the use of native aquatic plants as alternatives to the popular nonindigenous species commonly used in water gardens. The first part of the project was generating a list of equivalent native plants for the 10-20 non-native plants most commonly available to water gardeners. These include Nymphoides cordata, Proserpinaca palustris, Hippuris vulgaris, Megalodonta beckii and Iris prismatica. An illustrated identification booklet is in progress, providing information on both the non-native plants and the recommended alternatives native to the Northeast. The problems that nonindigenous aquatic plants can cause in lakes and waterways will also be described. The second part of the project, to begin in spring 1998, involves training Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners in the content and use of this information. The master gardeners will hold outreach workshops for garden club members, nursery operators, and water garden plant purveyors in their local communities. Printed information will be made available for point-of-sale distribution, and sent to garden clubs and the gardening editors of local newspapers for use in articles and newsletters. The third key step in the "Plant Native" project is working with commercial horticulturists to encourage them to grow these native aquatic plants, to fill the demand we hope will be generated through these educational efforts. This step is currently underway. Contact: Nancy Balcom, University of Connecticut, CT Sea Grant Extension
Program, 1084 Shennecossett Road, Groton, CT 06340 |