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River's Park Edge and its partners are pleased to offer all visitors a fun, educational challenge to locate ecological clues thoughout the park.
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Invasive plants
Invasive species are non-native plants, animals, and fungi introduced – intentionally or accidentally – into an area where they did not evolve.
Because they arrive without the natural insects, diseases, or competitors to keep them in check, they can quickly take over and wreak havoc on native ecosystems.
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In western Iowa, common invasive plants include reed canary grass, garlic mustard, bush honeysuckle, multiflora rose, and tree-of-heaven.
These invasive plants crowd out native vegetation by stealing sunlight, water, and nutrients, leaving fewer resources for insects, birds, and other wildlife. As native plants disappear, ecosystems lose biodiversity and become more vulnerable to drought, erosion, flooding, and disease.
You can help protect Iowa’s natural areas by learning to recognize invasive plants, using native species in your home landscape, removing invasive species on your property, and reporting new infestations. Stopping invasive plants early helps keep western Iowa’s landscapes healthy and resilient.