We will be tackling a population of this invasive Wild Parsnip at Fox Hill, in an open prairie-like area along one of the trails. The workday will consist of using hand clippers to cut the flowering seedheads off of the plants and bagging them to ensure no seeds remain. Like Garlic Mustard, Parsnip is a biennial (it takes two years for the plant to complete its life cycle and only sends out seeds the second year) so cutting these seedheads will prevent the growth of next year’s generation.
A key thing to be aware of when handling Wild Parsnip is that the plant’s sap, if it gets on your skin, can react with the sun and form blisters and burns on the skin. With long sleeves and the right gloves, it is unlikely, but necessary to be aware of so we can take the right precautions.
When & Where: Fox Hill Nature Preserve on Thursday, July 24 from 9-11 AM. We will meet at the main gravel parking lot at 4214 Sleeping Dragon Road, West Bend, WI 53095, which is approximately half a mile east of Highway NN.
Bring: Due to the high temperatures forecast for Thursday, I recommend bringing a water bottle and some way to carry it with you. Also- since will be working with Wild Parsnip, long sleeves and thicker gloves (such as leather or tight-knit canvas) are required for this workday. Some people prefer to tape around the opening of their glove and shirt sleeve to prevent any gaps, so I’ll make sure to bring some with me. Safety first!
For more information, contact CLCF Stewardship Coordinator, Sarah, at smoore@theclcf.org.
