Mizzou Botanic Garden commits to invasive plant pledge by removing Callery pear trees

WHAT:

Officials from the Mizzou Botanic Garden and other participating campus, state and non-profit partners will ceremoniously cut down one of eight Callery pear trees, with the remaining trees scheduled to be removed the week of Oct. 1. The participants hope to raise awareness of invasive plant species during its “Impact of Invasive Plants on Missouri’s Ecology and Economy” event. Mizzou Botanic Garden commits to stopping the spread of highly invasive trees and other non-native invasive plants that threaten native biodiversity and are problematic for farmers and other landowners. The botanic garden is the first entity in Missouri to sign the Missouri Invasive Plant Task Force pledge to control invasive species. The CAFNR Courtyard renovation is one of two top-priority campus landscape projects identified by the botanic garden’s Friends Advisory Board.

WHO:

This program is a joint effort by Mizzou Botanic Garden, MU College of Agriculture Food & Natural Resources School of Natural Resources, CAFNR Plant Sciences Division, Missouri Invasive Plant Task Force and Missouri Department of Conservation.

WHEN AND WHERE:

9-9:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 28, CAFNR Courtyard, between the Agriculture and the Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources buildings.