Oak Openings Region CWMA
The Oak Openings Region Green Ribbon Initiative has been working to address the threats that compromise the health and resiliency of the globally unique Oak Openings region of northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Invasive species are identified as the most significant threat to protected lands because they degrade each habitat type and are present on nearly all unmanaged lands. They are also not equal in the threat they pose, and many species do not threaten every type of habitat, which highlights the need to prioritize species for removal by habitat type. Green Ribbon Initiative also recognizes the critical need to share locations of invasive plants, particularly where early detection efforts locate new species. Green Ribbon Initiative partners have agreed to overcome this barrier by collectively evaluating existing tools and creating one data management approach, the Oak Openings Invasive Species Plan, to be used by all regional partners.
How do we accomplish tackling a threat as big as invasive species?
As a branch of the Green Ribbon Initiative, the Oak Openings Region Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) partners are working independently or in a coordinated manner through the Green Ribbon Initiative & Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to eradicate invasive species such as autumn olive, Asian bittersweet, buckthorn spp., phragmites, purple loosestrife, reed canary grass, multiflora rose, Japanese barberry, knapweed, knotweed and others through:
- Early detection
- Rapid response
- Outreach and education
The framework of a CWMA enhances the ability of these partners to share resources and/or methods with other organizations and CWMAs and apply a systematic approach to invasive species removal throughout the region. While the Green Ribbon Initiative has been in existence since 2000, we officially formalized as a CWMA in November of 2014.
The Oak Openings Region CWMA Partners
All of the partners of the Green Ribbon Initiative have a vested interest in eradicating invasive species that threaten our globally rare habitats. To view the list of our partners click here. To reach us by email, click here. To reach us by mail, the Oak Openings Project office is at 10420 Old State Line Rd./Swanton, OH 43558 and by phone 419-867-1521.