Volunteers sought for 'Garlic Mustard Blitz' to help remove invasive from Devil's Lake State Park

Devil's Lake State Park (DNR photo)

Garlic mustard has been invading Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin and park officials are looking for help in combating the invasive plant.

On Saturday, May 31 the park will hold a "Garlic Mustard Blitz" from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. during which volunteers are needed to help remove as much of the invasive plant as possible. Volunteers will meet near the Grotto's trail on the park's south shore.

"There will be prizes for the most garlic mustard pulled," says Sue Johansen, naturalist at Devil's Lake, one of Wisconsin's most popular and heavily visited parks.

Garlic Mustard (NPS photo)

Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is a biennial plant that overwinters as a rosette of small green leaves and in the spring sends up one to many flower stalks with triangular leaves and small, four-petaled white flowers. This rapidly growing biennial spreads through forests, eliminating native wildflowers, limiting tree seedlings from developing and even slowing the growth of mature trees.

"To make matters worse, none of our native insects or wildlife eat it." Johansen said. "Help us remove these as part of an effort to keep our local natural areas healthy."

The Friends of Devil's Lake will also provide a small lunch for volunteers, so people are being asked to call ahead if they are planning on coming to 608-356-8301 Ext. 140.