None The Nature Conservancy in Kentucky Press Releases Search All Press Releases Joyce Bender President, Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council, (502) 573-2886 joyce.bender@ky.gov

Governor Beshear Proclaims September Invasive Species Awareness Month

Organizations raise awareness of the costs associated with invasive species in Kentucky.

FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY — August 20, 2009 — Governor Beshear has proclaimed September to be Invasive Plant Awareness Month.  A ceremony to present the Governor’s proclamation will be held on Monday, August 24 at the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort starting at 1:00 p.m.  The Garden Club of Kentucky and the Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council are working together to promote awareness of the impact of invasive weed species to Kentucky’s diverse natural areas and parks.  The organizations also want people to understand the economic costs we all must bear due to the spread of these plants into productive farm and timber lands and even our own backyards. 

The event will begin with a welcome from Kay Fisher of The Garden Club of Kentucky followed by the Proclamation Presentation by Leah MacSwords, Director of the Kentucky Division of Forestry.  Also present to speak on the threat invasive plants pose to the Commonwealth will be Joyce Bender, President of the Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council and John Obrycki, Chair of the UK Forest Health Task Force.  Invasive plants continue to take a toll on the natural areas of Kentucky and it is hoped this proclamation will raise awareness of the need to support all aspects of integrated weed management.   Posters displaying the “least wanted” invasives and other hand outs will be available at the event.  Activities for Invasive Plant Awareness Month can be found at the KY Exotic Pest Plant Council’s website:  www.se-eppc.org/ky

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.