“These invasive species are taking over”

A multi-year effort to remove invasive plants is expected to pay off by improving water quality for residents of Topeka, Kansas.

In March, KSNT 27 News reported that the conservation organization Friends of the Kaw, or FOK, and its partners were completing a two-year initiative to rewild the banks of the Kansas River.

The project, which received funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, will support the health of the area by naturally controlling erosion and filtering pollutants. Many selected native species have deep roots, which increases the soil's ability to absorb water and thus helps protect against flooding.

Shawnee County and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, the Native Lands Restoration Collaborative, the City of Topeka and K-State Extension have also worked to replace nuisance species with native options.

“Bush honeysuckle and woodcreeper are a problem for the area,” FOK Executive Director Dawn Buehler told 27 News. “These invasive species are taking over. Native plants are better for wildlife and food sources; they have many benefits.”

Another advantage of native plants is that they do not require time-consuming and expensive maintenance – something many homeowners have happily discovered in their own gardens. It's fair to assume that the restoration project could free up money for other investments and projects benefiting the city.

Additionally, invasive species can quickly take over an area, contributing to the loss of biodiverse plants that support pollinators. This is a problem that bush honeysuckle and creeping vines pose in places like Topeka.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one in three bites of our food comes from these creatures, making protecting them a crucial part of ensuring enough food for all.

And reintroduction of native species can contribute to efforts to heal our ecosystems. In south London, for example, a river revitalization project has enabled the return and reproduction of brown trout, which had disappeared from the region for more than 80 years.

In Massachusetts, decades of habitat restoration have led to the exciting discovery of a caterpillar of a rare species of butterfly, which appears to have expanded its range.

27 News noted that the FOK River restoration project was scheduled to be completed in June.

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