News Feature                                                            3/14/2008

Common Buckthorn Control on Tribal Land

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Mahnomen County is cooperating with the White Earth Nation, located in NW MN, in an attempt to contain and eradicate Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) on tribal lands.  Common Buckthorn is an invasive species that poses a major threat to forest regeneration and wildlife habitat along a tallgrass prairie / deciduous forest transitional area stemming north and south on White Earth Reservation. The intent of this project is to remove all living Buckthorn material, including mature plants, which produce a bountiful crop of berries.  These berries carry a natural laxative that can very easily turn hungry birds into seed dispersers!  The berries regularly go to seed and the new growth is very shade tolerant, allowing the Buckthorn to out compete native vegetation.   

This project is being administered by the White Earth Natural Resources Department (WENRD), with guidance from the Tribal Forestry Program, Tribal Pesticides Program, and Tribal Agricultural Program.  NRCS is providing technical assistance and financial incentives through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) – Invasive Plant Species Pest Management Practice, where White Earth will receive a one time financial incentive to remove Common Buckthorn on 74.5 acres of tribal land.  Site specific efforts will begin in the fall of 2008 with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, utilizing mechanical, manual, and precision applied chemical techniques.  White Earth will conduct these initial efforts as a pilot project, and upon completion the results will be assessed for feasibility of future Common Buckthorn control on adjacent tribal lands. 

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