Table of Contents

• New Grant Funding!

• Pesticide Applicator Training & Certifications

• Native Species Highlights

  • Native Sedges for Shade

  • Door County Big Plant - Spring Order

  • Tree Planter Rental

  • Native Plant Sales

• Workshops and Volunteer Opportunities

  • Terrestrial Invasive Workshop

  • Stewardship Workdays

  • Understanding Your Soil Health

  • Festival of Nature

  • Midwest Crane Count

  • Science on Tap

  • Soil Science in your Garden

  • Habitat Healers at Crossroads at Big Creek

  • 2026 Great Lakes BioBlitz

• Conferences

  • Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention

• Invasive Species News

  • Public Gardens as Sentinels against Invasive Plant …

  • Emerging Invasives Survey Results

• Invasive Species Highlight

  • Fragrant Fraud: Dame’s Rocket

• Get Involved

• Stay in touch!

New Grant Funding!

We are excited to announce that DCIST/SWCD were awarded two new WDNR Surface Water grants this year! These grants will focus on educational outreach and prevention around starry stonewort and spiny waterflea. Be on the lookout for more information about these efforts in a future newsletter.

Pesticide Applicator Training & Certifications

As the weather warms up and thoughts drift to treating invasive species, DCIST would like to remind everyone that a pesticide certification Category 5.0 (aquatic & mosquito) from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is required to control Phragmites or other invasive species in wetlands or waterways. Certifications are good for five years and can be obtained by purchasing materials through the PAT Store, studying, and taking a multiple choice test. There are multiple testing dates available in Brown County through the end of April. Be sure to register early at: https://pestexam.datcp.wi.gov/

Native Species Highlights

Native Sedges for Shade

Though snow may still linger in Door County, you might be thinking about what plants to add to your garden, or maybe you want to make a brand new garden bed - especially in those tricky spots that get a little too much shade for turf grass to grow. Let’s introduce you to sedges: graminoids, a broad category that also includes grasses and rushes, with most belonging to the genus Carex - a large group boasting around 500 species native to North America that occupy a broad range of environments. the genus name Carex comes from the Latin word meaning “to cut, scratch, or scrape,” which refers to the saying “sedges have edges.”

Sedges are cool-season natives that kick off growth in March or April as soil thaws, forming dense tufts that stabilize soil, suppress weeds, and provide structure before trees leaf out. They thrive in tough spots where other plants falter: shady understories, wet ditches, rocky slopes, or clay-heavy ground, with deep fibrous roots preventing erosion, retaining moisture, and tolerating both drought and flooding.

Plantainleaf sedge (Carex plantaginea): is one of Wisconsin’s showiest sedges. It has broad, deep green leaves that make it slightly unusual-looking for a Carex species. It is unique by having nearly evergreen leaves. Spring clean up requires minimal effort and a hard cutback should be avoided because it is slow to produce new leaves in spring. It thrives in part to full shade and moist soils making it ideal for shady areas or underplanting trees.

Gray’s sedge (Carex grayi): is a broad-leafed sedge with arching leaves growing up to two feet tall. It forms tight, dense clumps. The unique spiky fruits add long-season interest. This sedge thrives in moist soil and light shade or part sun. Occasional flooding is tolerated, making it a suitable choice for rain gardens. The seeds of this sedge are an important food source for many species of birds such as ruffed goose, wild turkey, and American woodcock. The foliage is unpalatable to deer.

Eastern star sedge (Carex radiata): is a low-growing sedge that forms compact clumps with dense tufts of delicate arching foliage. Eastern star sedge is an easy-going perennial that is adaptable to a range of soils, but thrives in dappled sunlight and mesic conditions. It has great potential to fit into shaded landscapes as either a groundcover, border planting, or an addition to a rain garden. Its seeds are enjoyed by various songbirds.

Door County Big Plant - Spring Order

Are you looking for native trees and shrubs to add to your landscape? The Climate Change Coalition of Door County has their spring tree sale going on.

Orders need to be submitted by March 31 and can be made here: Door County Big Plant - Spring Order

Tree Planter Rental

Door County Soil & Water Conservation Department has three tree planting machines available for spring 2026 rentals. These planters are great for tree plantings of all sizes, and make row planting large quantities of trees quick and easy.

In 2025, Door County residents planted nearly 30,000 trees through the tree planter rental program. The planters attach directly to a tractor’s three-point hydraulic hitch attachment, and weigh approximately 1,200 pounds. A 40+ horsepower tractor is strongly recommended for efficient plantings.

Cost associated with renting a planter includes a $20 base fee + $50 refundable deposit. an additional $15 per 1,000 trees is also added to the total cost.

If you or someone you know is interested in renting a tree planter this spring, please contact Beau Schartner at 920-746-2213 or via email at [email protected] 

Native Plant Sales

Save the Date! The Door County Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale will be May 23 at the Peninsular Agricultural Research Station. They will be offering perennials, annuals, natives, vegetables, herbs & more! Check their website here for more information in the coming weeks.

The Kewaunee County Garden Club will be having their spring plant sale on May 23 at Lakehaven Hall in Kewaunee, WI. More information can be found here.

Outside the Door County area, find a native plant sale near you on the WDNR native plants webpage.

Workshops and Volunteer Opportunities

Terrestrial Invasive Workshop

DCIST will host a workshop in late April or early May as part of our Wisconsin Coastal Management Program grant, shifting this season’s focus to herbaceous terrestrial invasive plants that show up early in the year. While many gardeners welcome the first green leaves and flowers of spring, some of these early risers are invaders like garlic mustard and dame’s rocket, which spread quickly and displace native wildflowers across Wisconsin woodlands and roadsides.

This workshop will concentrate on identifying common early-blooming herbaceous invaders, understanding how they impact soil and native plant communities, and exploring effective control methods so you can time your management work for maximum impact. Whether you steward a backyard, a land trust property, or a right-of-way, you’ll come away better equipped to spot problem plants on your spring walks and respond before they take over.

Follow DCIST on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on these workshops.

Stewardship Workdays

Sign-Up for Stewardship Workdays with the Door County Land Trust! 

The lands we care for stay healthy thanks in part to the hands and hearts of volunteers. The Door County Land Trust invites anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors and giving back to the places we love to join our upcoming stewardship workdays. 

Volunteers help with meaningful, hands-on projects like removing invasive species, maintaining trails, planting native species, and improving wildlife habitat. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to the Land Trust, stewardship workdays are a great way to learn about local conservation, meet others who care about the land, and make a difference in our preserves. 

No special experience is needed—just a willingness to get a little dirty and enjoy a day outside. Tools, guidance, and plenty of appreciation are provided. 

Interested in lending a hand? Sign up for an upcoming workday or learn more about volunteering with the Door County Land Trust by emailing Paige Witek at [email protected]. 

We hope to see you out on the land! 

Understanding Your Soil Health

Join JOSHUA for a timely presentation on "Understanding Your Soil and Soil Health in Your Yard" as gardening season approaches.​

Date: April 21, 2026, at 5:30 PM
Location: STEM Center, 2019 Technology Way, Green Bay, WI 54311.​​

Attendees will learn how to assess soil health, improve yard conditions, and submit soil samples for testing. Register now at Soil Health.

Festival of Nature

Mark your calendars for this years Festival of Nature happening Memorial Day Weekend, May 21-24, 2026.

Registration opens March 18. Visit Festival of Nature Registration for more information.

Midwest Crane Count

Join the Ridges Sanctuary on April 18th, 2026 for all things crane.

Happening that day is the Midwest Crane Count, a Crane Nest Habitat Hike, and a virtual crane symposium.

Science on Tap

Stop by Bridge Up Brewing, 129 N Madison Ave, Sturgeon Bay, grab a pint of your favorite beer and explore wide variety of science topics with the people specialized in their field in a casual setting.

This month, Crossroads at Big Creek is hosting Karen Murchie of Shedd Aquarium who will be discussing Suckers.

Date: April 2
Time: 6 PM: Speaker with Q&A to follow

Topics of discussion will include:

• Great Lakes Fish migrations

• Why suckers are swimming superheroes!

• How volunteers have been making a difference by collection data from local streams

• What makes Door County a great research partner

Attendance is free!

Soil Science in your Garden

Discover the bustling world beneath your feet!
Soil isn’t just dirt—it’s a vibrant, living ecosystem teeming with activity. Every choice we make in the garden, from spring bed prep to the final harvest, shapes the underground communities that keep our soils healthy, resilient, and productive.

Join Jamie Patton, Certified Professional Soil Scientist and lifelong soil enthusiast, as she brings more than 30 years of experience exploring the hidden wonders below ground. Together, we’ll dig into the fascinating lives of soil organisms and learn practical ways to nurture this “living underground” while growing delicious fruits, hearty vegetables, and beautiful ornamentals.

Presented by the Door County Master Gardeners Association and Wild Ones – Door Peninsula Chapter. The workshop is free and open to the public.

Habitat Healers at Crossroads at Big Creek

Join Crossroads to help them cut willow and dogwood stems to be used for live staking as part of their ecological restoration plan. Registration for the event is welcomed but not required: Live Stake Harvesting

Date: March 28
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Collins Learning Center

After collecting live stakes, join Crossroads in April to plant them. Registration for the event is welcomed but not required: Live Stake Planting

Date: April 11
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Collins Learning Center

2026 Great Lakes BioBlitz

Conferences

Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention

When tackling a monumental challenge, it sometimes takes a long time to see results. The 2026 Lakes and Rivers Partnership Convention will look back on the long-term programs and the accumulated actions of countless people that have persevered through many decades. Their dedication has ensured that the programs that developed in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s are still with us in the 2020’s and beyond. We will also celebrate the people who will continue to carry the torch for water protection and restoration into the future.

This years conference is happening April 15 - 17, 2026 in Stevens Point, WI. Learn more about the conference and register here: Decades of Dedication

Invasive Species News

Public Gardens as Sentinels against Invasive Plants

​Due to their unique status as living museums of plants from around the world, public gardens and arboreta can play a unique and pro-active role in assessing which non-native plants exhibit invasive tendencies. These institutions have the access and staff expertise to observe the reproduction and spread of plants that are not well known and may not be available in the horticultural trade, and can make recommendations about these plants’ capacity to become invasive based on those observations.

You can learn more by watching the short video below or by visiting their website: https://pgsip.mortonarb.org/Bol/pgsip

Emerging Invasives Survey Results

The Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN) conducts an annual survey to identify “early detection” invasive plant species across the region—species that are either just arriving or still limited in distribution, but capable of spreading quickly if we miss the early warning signs.

In Wisconsin, top terrestrial priorities include stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), chaff flower (Achyranthes japonica), lesser celandine (Ficaria verna), porcelain berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata), and butterbur (Petasites hybridus)—plants still limited locally but poised to explode if unchecked. Early detection is critical because these invaders are easiest to eradicate or contain while populations are small; reporting sightings via EDDMapS helps managers prioritize responses and prevent the decades-long battles seen with species like garlic mustard.

You can see the results of the survey here: 2025 Emerging Invasives Survey Summary

Invasive Species Highlight

Fragrant Fraud: Dame’s Rocket

Dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is a fragrant invasive that establishes dense stands in open woodlands, roadsides, and disturbed areas, forming dense purple-white flower clusters from May to June that displace native wildflowers. It spreads rapidly via thousands of seeds per plant, creating monocultures that reduce biodiversity and alter soil chemistry, while overwintering rosettes restart the cycle.

Dame’s rocket grows 2-4 feet tall on hairy stems with alternate toothed leaves and racemes of 4-petaled flowers.

It resembles native wild phlox, but phlox has opposite leaves and 5-petaled flowers.

Early detection and control work well: hand-pull rosettes and young flowering plants before seed set, removing entire taproots; cut flower stalks into bags for disposal. Larger stands may need repeated pulling or fall herbicide. For more information, visit the Wisconsin DNR page at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invasives/fact/DamesRocket. DCIST asks the public to monitor and report Dame’s rocket sightings.

Dame’s rocket is a restricted species under Wisconsin’s Invasive Species Rule Chapter NR 40. Restricted species are widespread and harm the environment, economy, or human health; it’s illegal to knowingly propagate, sell, or plant them in Wisconsin. Report new or expanding patches in Door County via EDDMapS.

Get Involved

DCIST relies on volunteers to help collect data on where invasive plants and animals are found in Door County. If you’re interested in helping, DCIST can provide training on the use of handheld GPS units or you can also use the GLEDN app to report findings via your smartphone.  Contact DCIST at [email protected] for more information or learn how to download and use the app at https://fyi.uwex.edu/wifdn/. Keep an eye out for our next newsletter and keep up to date on our DCIST website at https://doorinvasives.org. We will be posting any and all additional training opportunities & educational materials as we receive them.

Stay in touch!

The Door County Invasive Species Team – Jason Miller, Coordinator
DCIST Message Line: 920-746-5955
Email: [email protected] 
Check out our website at https://doorinvasives.org