Table of Contents

• Reflecting on a Successful Season

• Native Species Highlights

  • Late Blooming Champions for Pollinators

• Workshops and Volunteer Opportunities

  • Invasive Species Removal Workday

  • Establishing a Bee Lawn

  • Night Hikes at The Ridges

  • Thanks-Giving: What You’ve Helped Save

• News

  • Exciting News: WCMP Grant Award!

  • Don’t Rush Fall Garden Cleanup - Leave it for Wild …

  • Keep Leaves Out of Waterways

• Invasive Species News

  • Additional Regulations on Invasive Species

  • Keep Watch for Japanese Stiltgrass

• Invasive Species Highlight

Reflecting on a Successful Season

As fall arrives and the days grow shorter, DCIST is wrapping up another productive season of invasive species management across Door County. Our team and dedicated volunteers have logged hundreds of hours this year monitoring, removing, and educating the community about the threats invasive species pose to our unique coastal ecosystems.

This season, we continued our work on our priority invasive species (phragmites, knotweed, wild parsnip, purple loosestrife, and teasel) throughout the county. This year we treated 170 acres of priority invasives. Our Clean Boats Clean Waters program at Carmody and Pinney Park boat launches engaged with hundreds of boaters, helping prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. We also continued our early detection surveys for European frog-bit by surveying 17 different sites for a total of 25 miles of shoreline.

Native Species Highlights

Late Blooming Champions for Pollinators

As temperatures drop and daylight shortens, most flowers have finished blooming—but not all! Late bloomers play a vital role in supporting our native pollinators, far beyond simply extending the beauty of the garden into fall. As bumblebee queens prepare to hibernate underground for the winter, they need abundant food to build up their energy reserves. Migrating monarchs rely on late-season nectar to fuel their incredible 3,000-mile journey to Mexico. Native bees depend on late-blooming plants for the pollen and nectar needed to provision their nests for next year’s generation, while other beneficial insects use these plants as final feeding stations before entering dormancy. By including native species that flower from early spring through late fall, you provide a continuous buffet that supports pollinators throughout their entire life cycle. Even adding just one or two late-blooming plants to your landscape can make a meaningful difference for these essential creatures.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): A hallmark of midsummer prairies, black-eyed Susan bursts into bloom from June through September with bright golden-yellow petals radiating around dark brown centers. This hardy perennial (often grown as a biennial) typically stands 1–3 feet tall and creates cheerful splashes of color that attract native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Its long-lasting blooms also make excellent cut flowers. Black-eyed Susan thrives in full sun and dry to medium soils, tolerating heat, drought, and poor conditions once established. It’s an ideal choice for roadside restorations, meadow plantings, or sunny garden borders, where it readily self-seeds and supports a wide variety of pollinators throughout the growing season.

Stiff Goldenrod (Oligoneuron rigidum): Blooming from late summer into fall, stiff goldenrod produces broad, flat-topped clusters of golden-yellow flowers that serve as landing pads for bees, butterflies, and beneficial flies. This species is particularly important because it flowers later than many other goldenrods, extending the nectar season well into October. Despite the common misconception, goldenrod does not cause allergies—that's ragweed, which blooms at the same time. Stiff goldenrod thrives in dry, sandy soils and full sun, making it perfect for tough sites.

Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium): Also known as fall aster, this compact native (1-3 feet tall) produces masses of lavender-blue flowers from September through October. The blooms are particularly attractive to bumblebee queens building fat reserves for hibernation and late-emerging native bees. Aromatic aster is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. Its dense growth habit also provides shelter for beneficial insects.

Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica): This stunning perennial produces spikes of tubular blue flowers from late summer into fall, providing nectar specifically for long-tongued bees and hummingbirds preparing for migration. Unlike cardinal flower (its red cousin), great blue lobelia thrives in both wet and average garden conditions. Plant in full sun to part shade, and you'll be rewarded with continuous blooms from August through October. The tubular flower shape makes it particularly valuable for specialist pollinators.

Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa): Blooming September through October, showy goldenrod lives up to its name with large, showy flower clusters that stand 2-4 feet tall. This species is crucial for late-season pollinators, including numerous native bee species, butterflies, and beneficial wasps. The flowers produce abundant nectar and pollen when other food sources are scarce. Showy goldenrod prefers dry to medium soils and full sun, making it an excellent choice for prairie-style plantings.

Workshops and Volunteer Opportunities

Invasive Species Removal Workday

Join DCIST and Wild Ones - Door Peninsula for a hands-on invasive species workshop to learn to identify and remove invasive species impacting Door County. There will be two opportunities to learn and help us better our parks.

Saturday, November 8
Woodside Wildflower Preserve – 60 Willow Drive, Sturgeon Bay (across from Sawyer Elementary School)

Saturday, November 22
Franke Park – 1700 Clay Banks Road, Sturgeon Bay (just west of the Bayview Bridge on County Highway U)

Time: 9:00–11:00 AM

All necessary tools will be provided, but volunteers are welcome to bring their own loppers. Please bring work gloves and water.

For more information, contact the Door County Invasive Species Team or visit or the Wild Ones-Door Peninsula Chapter Facebook page.

Establishing a Bee Lawn

Because turf grass doesn’t provide food for pollinators, University of Minnesota researcher Kristine Moncada presents a video on the research behind bee lawns, about the best bee lawn plant species, how to establish and maintain bee lawns, and much more. Learn about this proactive way to provide food resources for pollinators by intentionally incorporating flowers in your lawn that have the right type of nectar and pollen for bees.

Free and open to the public. Brought to you by the Door County Master Gardeners Association.

Date: November 3, 2025 from 1:30 - 3:00 PM
Location: The Collins Learning Center at Crossroads at Big Creek

Night Hikes at The Ridges

Owls, bats, and range lights, oh my! Come explore The Ridges at night! We will learn about the creatures that become active after the sun goes down and check out The Range Lights at work as a navigational aid. (Please do not bring any flashlights, light-up shoes, etc. as we want our eyes to adjust to the dark and to be able to see just as the animals do at night). 

This program will meet outside of The Ridges Sanctuary Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center. Ridges staff will provide all hikers with a red flashlight for the duration of the hike. Restrooms are not available on the hike. 

Pre-registration required
Date: November 7 from 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Fee: Public $15 | Member $12 | 16 & under $7
Meeting Location: Cook-Albert fuller Nature Center
Register here: Night Hikes

Thanks-Giving: What You’ve Helped Save

Join the Door County Land Trust on Wednesday, November 19 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM for an inspiring evening of gratitude and celebration as we reflect on the lasting impact you’ve made for the lands and waters of Door County!

During this virtual event, we’ll highlight the remarkable progress made over the past year—thanks to your support of the Door County Land Trust. From successful land protection projects to meaningful community engagement, your contributions are helping to safeguard the natural beauty and ecological health of Door County for generations to come.

You’ll hear from Executive Director Emily Wood, who will share updates on newly protected properties. Community Conservation Coordinator Paige Witek will also present on citizen science and volunteer efforts that are bringing people together to care for our shared environment.

Celebrate with fellow supporters, learn what’s next on the horizon, and discover the difference we’re making—together. Let’s give thanks for what we’ve saved, and for all that’s still to come!

Register here on the Door County Land Trust’s website.

News

Exciting News: WCMP Grant Award!

DCIST is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded funding through the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP) for our project titled "Door County Coastal Terrestrial Invasive Species Education and Control." This grant will support expanded educational outreach and hands-on control efforts starting in 2025.

What This Means for You: Over the next year, we'll be offering exciting opportunities for Door County residents and visitors to get involved:

• Educational Workshops: Workshops will be offered at various locations throughout the County focusing on identification and control techniques for terrestrial invasive species that threaten our coastal areas, including garlic mustard, Dame's rocket, bouncing-bet, Japanese barberry, buckthorn, and autumn olive.

• Community Work Parties: Hands-on work parties will take place at parks across the county, providing participants with practical experience in identifying and removing invasive species while contributing directly to habitat restoration efforts.

DCIST staff are busy planning the schedule of events for this exciting new grant! Be sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates as dates and locations are announced. We’ll also send reminder emails as each event approaches so you don’t miss a chance to take part.

Don’t Rush Fall Garden Cleanup - Leave it for Wildlife!

As temperatures drop and perennials begin to die back, resist the urge to tidy up your garden too quickly. Those "messy" flower beds are actually critical habitat for overwintering pollinators and beneficial insects!

Why Leave Your Garden Standing

Many native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects overwinter in hollow plant stems, leaf litter, and seed heads. By leaving these materials in place through winter and into early spring, you're providing essential shelter and food sources for:

• Native bees that nest in hollow stems

• Butterfly pupae attached to plant material

• Beneficial insects that hide in leaf litter

• Birds that feed on seed heads throughout winter

Keep Leaves Out of Waterways

Fall leaf cleanup is an important part of maintaining safe streets and sidewalks, but remember—it’s illegal in Wisconsin to blow, rake, or dump leaves or grass clippings into waterways, storm drains, or roadside ditches. While some leaves naturally enter streams and lakes, adding extra material overwhelms the system and creates serious environmental problems.

Why Leaves Don’t Belong in Water

• Nutrient pollution: Decomposing leaves release excess phosphorus and nitrogen, which fuel harmful algae blooms.

• Oxygen depletion: As leaves break down, they consume oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive.

• Habitat degradation: Accumulated leaf matter smothers aquatic plants and covers fish spawning areas.

Proper Leaf Disposal

• Compost leaves on-site or use them as mulch in garden beds.

• Participate in your community’s yard waste or leaf collection programs.

• Mulch leaves with your mower to return nutrients back to the soil.

Invasive Species News

Additional Regulations on Invasive Species

Illinois is stepping up invasive species regulation. Nine additional non-native plants—ranging from garlic mustard and Japanese stiltgrass to Callery pear—have been added to the regulated list under the Exotic Weeds Act. While the new rules won’t force immediate removal of existing plants, they make it illegal to trade or plant these problem species, helping protect native ecosystems and reduce future control costs. You can read the whole article here: Nine new invasive species regulated in Illinois with expansion of Exotic Weeds Act

Keep Watch for Japanese Stiltgrass

Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) is an invasive grass spreading rapidly across the eastern U.S. and has recently been found in southern Wisconsin. While it has not yet been reported in Door County, now is the time to stay alert.

This sprawling annual grass forms dense mats that crowd out native plants and tree seedlings. It often grows along trails, roadsides, and forest edges, thriving in both sun and shade. The best way to recognize it is by its distinctive silvery stripe down the middle of each leaf.

Because stiltgrass can spread quickly once established, early detection is critical. If you suspect you’ve found it, take a clear photo and report it to the Wisconsin First Detector Network or through the EddMapS app.

Learn how to identify and report Japanese stiltgrass at the UW–Extension website: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/2025/08/12/invasive-stiltgrass-found-in-rock-county/.

Together, we can help keep Door County stiltgrass-free.

Invasive Species Highlight

Seeing red?
Invasive Species Profile: Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)
An invader making its way into Door County

Once prized for its brilliant red fall color and ease of care, burning bush (Euonymus alatus) has long been a favorite in landscaping. Unfortunately, this ornamental shrub has begun escaping from yards and invading natural areas across Wisconsin. While most infestations are currently concentrated in southern parts of the state, sightings in Door County have increased in recent years—making this the perfect time of year to keep an eye out.

Burning bush is easy to spot in autumn when its leaves turn a vivid, fire-engine red. In summer, it can be recognized by its opposite leaves and distinctive corky “winged” ridges along its stems. Birds eat the small red fruits and spread the seeds into nearby forests, where dense thickets can form and shade out native plants.

This species thrives in both sun and shade, giving it an advantage in disturbed areas and mature forests alike. Once established, it can be difficult to control—seedlings reappear readily after cutting, and established shrubs often resprout if not fully removed, roots and all.

To prevent further spread:

• Avoid planting burning bush—choose native alternatives such as black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), or mapleleaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium).

• Report sightings of wild burning bush through the GLEDN app or contact DCIST.

• Remove small plants by hand or cut and treat stumps of larger shrubs with herbicide.

In Wisconsin, burning bush is listed as a Restricted species under NR 40, meaning it may not be sold, transported, or introduced into the wild.

For more information on burning bush and how to identify it, visit:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invasives/fact/EuonymusAlatus.html