It's spring and that time of year when your backyard and your neighborhood awakens, greens, and blossoms. This is the best time of year to scout your property for "invasive" plants and remove them. If you are not aware of INPAWS (Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society), this organization has been campaigning for all citizens of Indiana to be on the lookout for non-native, invasive plants that are detrimental to our local landscape. If you find offenders, pull them up - wherever you see them.

So what are the nuisance, invasive plants? Here are a few of the common ones:

• Purple Loosestrife
• Bush and Japanese Honeysuckles
• Garlic Mustard
• Buckthorn
• Autumn Olive
• Crown Vetch
• Reed Canary Grass
• Oriental Bittersweet
• Common Reed

These plants are culprits responsible for degrading thousands of acres of our natural plant communities in Indiana. They spread in many ways. The seeds are scattered by the birds, wind, and rain. I have discovered garlic mustard in black dirt a landscaper delivered for building a new, raised garden. Because the troublemakers reseed easily and multiply, they are identified as enemies of the land.

INPAWS lists reasons we should care if invasive plants are in our yards and our parks:

• Invasive plants hurt wildlife by eliminating the plants our native animals need for food and cover.
• Invasive plants destroy habitat for rare wildflowers and animals; they threaten two-thirds of all endangered species.
• Invasive plants cost money. Agencies around Indiana spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to eradicate these species and protect our natural areas. Each year the cost grows.
• Agricultural losses and control costs due to invasive plants are estimated at $15 billion per year in the U.S.

If you want to learn more about invasive non-native plants, check out INPAWS www.inpaws.org or the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) www.in.gov/dnr/3132.htm . Take a walk around your yard; you may be surprised to find an invasive non-native plant. You may not think one plant will matter, but because nature has a good way of propagating new plants. Birds can spread them throughout their habitats. A gust of wind can carry seeds far and wide. This is the time to do your part in getting rid of bad plants. Our collective efforts can make a difference.