By JEFF BURBRINK
Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Elkhart County

If you have some forested areas on your property, or you have concerns about our honeybee population, you might be interested in a program I have scheduled Dec. 17. It will be held from 7-9 p.m. in the Home and Family Arts Building on the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Over the past five years, there has been a rapid increase in invasive species creeping into our local woodlands.  Honeysuckles, bittersweet, autumn olive and even a landscaping favorite, burning bush, can be found just about everywhere, along with “old time favorites” like multiflora rose and grapevines. I’ll talk about identifying these plants, and strategies you can use to manage your woodlots.

I’ll also talk about bees. In recent years, we have heard about many issues threatening the bee population. This includes mites, pollution, pesticides, disease, and lack of flowers due to invasive species. The focus of this segment of the program will be actions that pesticide applicators and crop growers can take to protect bees from applications. Every little bit we do can help with this issue.

There is no cost to attend the program for the general public. I do ask that you contact our office at (574) 533-0554 by 4 p.m. Dec. 15, so we can plan for handouts.

Individuals with a private applicator license can get PARP credit towards the renewal of their license. PARP credit will cost $10 to be paid at the meeting. You can check your credit status on the PARP website.