Staff photo by Fritz Busch New Ulm Park & Recreation Director Joey Schugel, left, and Minnesota Master Naturalist Joe Gartner of New Ulm promote and discuss National Invasive Awareness Week at Nehl’s Park in New Ulm Thursday. The event will be broadcast on New Ulm Community Access (NUCAT) TV.

NEW ULM — New Ulm Park & Recreation Director Joey Schugel and Minnesota Master Naturalist Joe Gartner gathered in Nehl’s Park Thursday to promote National Invasive Species Awarness Week, Feb. 24-25.

Schugel read a proclamation signed by New Ulm Mayor Kathleen Backer urged all citizens to become educated on invasive species management and prevent the spread of invasive species within the community and surrounding areas.

The proclamation listed emerald ash borer, common buckthorn and wild parsnip as the most common invasive species to the New Ulm area that can be harmful to human health, agriculture and our environment.

It added that the City of New Ulm is committed to raising awareness about raising awareness about invasive species by connecting residents to resources that provide education on identification, prevention, disposal and management. The City of New Ulm promotes proactive control to prevent widespread invasion and the harm it could cause through safe and sustainable weed and brush control.

Minnesota Master Naturalist, New Ulm Park & Recreation volunteer and retired science teacher Joe Gartner of New Ulm talked about dealing with invasive species.

“We need to be vigilant of invasive species when they start growing in our area in spring. Once things to grow all over like buckthorn, it’s a lot harder to deal with. If you remove the berry-producing trees, we can have an opening for other things to grow and survive,” said Gartner.

“Hogwort gets very tall. It’s very toxic if you touch it. It’s not here yet. Learn what it is and how to identify it,” he said.

Gartner said there is a lot of hope to eliminate invasive species if enough people work on it.

“If you’re interested in controlling buckthorn in and around New Ulm, let me know,” he said.

Gartner will present programs on how to identify and control noxious weeds in New Ulm at 3 and 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27 at the New Ulm Public Library. The presentation is available for viewing through the New Ulm Park and Recreation Office.

Schugel said the best way for people volunteering to remove invasive species is to call New Ulm Park & Recreation at 507-233-2121 or stop in the New Ulm Recreation Center Administrative Office, 122 S. Garden St.

“The next time you’re in Nehl’s Park, I urge people to look around and see what the emerald ash borer did to this park and how it’s changing it,” said Schugel.

He thanked Joe Gartner for many hours he puts in at New Ulm parks, at Flandrau State Park and for helping others by doing invasive species control on the private property of residents who allow him to do so.

“I’m 72 and retired. Some people like to fish, hunt and golf. Believe it or not, my wife and I like to remove invasive species,” said Gartner.

The event was filmed by New Ulm Community Access (NUCAT) TV. It will be broadcast as the February New Ulm Park and Recreation report. Resources can be found on the New Ulm Park & Recreation Facebook page and NUCAT YouTube page.