KY-IPC

Kentucky Invasive Plant Council

Kentucky Invasive Plant Council

KY-IPC was established in 2000 as a non-profit organization. KY-IPC is a state chapter of SE-EPPC whose purpose is:

  • To raise awareness and promote public understanding regarding the threat posed by invasive exotic pest plants to native plant communities in Kentucky.
  • To facilitate the exchange of information concerning the management and control of invasive exotic pest plants through support of research and monitoring.
  • To serve as an educational, advisory and technical support resource on exotics in Kentucky.
  • To initiate actions to protect Kentucky from the introduction, establishment and spread of invasive exotics.
  • To provide a forum for all interested parties to participate in meetings, workshops, and on a rotational basis with other chapters, host a symposium for the SE-EPPC to share the benefits from the information provided by SE EPPC and other recognized experts.

When you join KY-EPPC you become a member of SE-EPPC. Your membership helps provide the support necessary to help accomplish our goals. As a member, you will receive SE-EPPC News, a quarterly newsletter reporting on invasive plant issues throughout the region and Wildland Weeds a quarterly magazine. KY-EPPC appreciates your support of our statewide and regional effort to raise awareness about invasive exotic pest plant issues. For more information visit SE-EPPC's web site.

Take Action

Are you doing invasive exotic species control on your personal property or as part of your job? Are you interested in donating your time to help control invasive exotic species in your region? Kentucky EPPC would like to create a network of weed warriors throughout the state. The aim of this network is to put people in touch with projects that are happening in their area. At this time we do not have projects or participants in some areas of the state so until we hear from you, we won't be able to assure coverage for all areas. So, if you need volunteers or would like to volunteer send us an email at Floracliff@aol.com and we will do our best to connect you with others doing invasive species work.

Invasive Plant Awareness Month highlights:

More info on the Capitol Grounds Makeover: The Kentucky Native Plant Society donated the shrubs and the effort was supported by the Frankfort Garden Club and the South Frankfort Neighborhood Association. Removal of the honeysuckle and site preparation was provided by the staff from the Finance Cabinet’s Department for Facilities and Support Services. The work crew was so enthusiastic that they also removed a nearby burning bush and the privet hiding behind it. The Department’s Deputy Commissioner, Jerry Graves even stepped in to help plant the first fringe tree.

Alan Nations, the president of the Kentucky Native Plant Society presented a pen and pencil set made from bush honeysuckle wood to Steve Meredith, an official from the Finance Cabinet and asked that it be presented to the governor to thank him for declaring the month for invasive plant awareness. Nations explained his organization’s donation of the fringe trees saying, “Our organization wanted to support Invasive Plant Awareness Month in a way that will last beyond September. Kentucky has so many native plants that work well in landscapes, what better place to start than planting on the Capitol grounds to remind everyone that they can have beauty and benefit our environment at the same time. Urban efforts such as this are instrumental in stopping the spread of invasive plants to Kentucky’s diverse and beautiful natural areas.”

Peggy Dungan, local member of the Frankfort Garden Club has been trying for many years to get the non-native plants that are taking over Frankfort’s landscapes and the natural areas of Franklin County on people’s radar. “The Capitol grounds were my playground as a child. They have been my front yard all my life. I feel very strongly about preserving their beauty for all Kentuckians to enjoy and to be a source of pride. I also feel very strongly that these grounds should set the example for all gardeners in Kentucky by utilizing native plants and removing invasives. I am very happy to know that finally we have the attention of the folks looking after the Capitol. I hope we can continue to remove the plants up there that are overwhelming our beautiful native flora and making it hard on the wildlife to find food.”

An official with the Finance Cabinet said they would be willing to work with KY EPPC, the Garden Club of Kentucky and other interested citizens to continue removing invasives and replacing them with native plants. He asked for an inventory of the invasives on the Capitol grounds and a location map. KY EPPC will work with local master gardeners and members of the Kentucky Native Plant Society to provide the inventory and map. KY EPPC also plans to develop interpretive material to keep visitors and legislators apprised of the project as it proceeds.