By: Jessica Floyd, Claybank Master Gardeners Vice PresidentÂ
Volunteers with the Claybank Master Gardeners recently gathered at Ed Lisenby Lake in Ozark for a hands-on effort to remove invasive plant species and protect the area’s natural beauty.
Working along the shoreline and wooded areas, the group focused on identifying and clearing aggressive non-native plants that threaten the health of local ecosystems.
This work is part of a statewide initiative led through Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, which supports communities across Alabama in managing invasive species and promoting sustainable landscapes.
Invasive plants can have a serious impact on forests and natural spaces. Unlike native species, they often grow rapidly and spread without natural predators to keep them in check. This allows them to outcompete native plants for sunlight, water, and nutrients. Over time, they can form dense stands that crowd out native vegetation, reducing plant diversity and disrupting habitats for wildlife that depend on native species for food and shelter.
The presence of invasive plants can also alter soil chemistry, change water flow, and increase the risk of erosion. In forested areas, this imbalance weakens the overall ecosystem, making it more vulnerable to disease, pests, and environmental stress.
By removing invasive species at Ed Lisenby Lake, the Claybank Master Gardeners are helping restore balance to the local environment. Their efforts support healthier forests, encourage native plant growth, and create a more sustainable habitat for wildlife and the community to enjoy.
The Claybank Master Gardeners work to clear Ed Lisenby Lake of invasive species. This type of work is crucial because invasive species can harm local ecosystems by competing with native plant and animal life for resources.
Some invasive species for our area include English Ivy (Hedera helix), which smothers trees and shrubs native to our area; Kudzu (Pueraria montana), which is a rapidly growing vine that can quickly cover trees and even homes and other structures; Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense), which forms heavily dense thickets and will displace native shrubs; Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii), which is a thorny shrub that rapidly spreads through our forests; Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), which is a quick-growing tree that releases toxins to weaken other plants and stop their natural growth cycles; Purple Loosestrife; Mimosa Tree; Wintercreeper; Autumn Olice; Water Hyacinth; Giant Salvinia; Nutria; and miuch more.
