Spring Break
Fighting off an invading force
UConn extension educator fights local invasive plant.
Tim Colegrove
Issue date: 3/23/05 Section: News
From her office on the second floor of the Biotechnology building, Ellis is always busy. The fight against destructive foreign plant invasions is not the kind of fight she can so easily take a break from. Donna is a high ranking general in the war against invasive plants, but the most important of all of her positions is likely to be her part as co-chair of the CTIPWG. Ellis strives to lead the working group in their mission to educate and help influence legislation concerning invasive plants. As the CTIPWG makes clear in their web site,
"We are a growing consortium of individuals, organizations and agencies that are concerned with invasive species issues," the CTIPWG states on their web site.
UConn students have also had their share of participation and concern in this battle. David Pechie, a sophomore, met Ellis at a conference he attended in high school. Since then he has also become involved with the effort to preserve Connecticut's native plants. As a part of the UConn environmental group called EcoHusky he, "proposed that we conduct an invasive plants project on or near campus."
Last year, this was done and a number of Galerucella beetles were released around the pond areas on campus.
Although interest has been decent, the need for volunteer workers willing to put their time into joining this cause has been high. Ellis said her vision for the CTIPWG is one of volunteer growth and increased community interest.
The fight against the alien invaders will never truly end as long as there are people crossing national boundaries. Ellis feels it is only going to be through increased awareness and community effort that any progress will be made in this fight.
"Anyone can make a difference by working together," she said.
"We are a growing consortium of individuals, organizations and agencies that are concerned with invasive species issues," the CTIPWG states on their web site.
UConn students have also had their share of participation and concern in this battle. David Pechie, a sophomore, met Ellis at a conference he attended in high school. Since then he has also become involved with the effort to preserve Connecticut's native plants. As a part of the UConn environmental group called EcoHusky he, "proposed that we conduct an invasive plants project on or near campus."
Last year, this was done and a number of Galerucella beetles were released around the pond areas on campus.
Although interest has been decent, the need for volunteer workers willing to put their time into joining this cause has been high. Ellis said her vision for the CTIPWG is one of volunteer growth and increased community interest.
The fight against the alien invaders will never truly end as long as there are people crossing national boundaries. Ellis feels it is only going to be through increased awareness and community effort that any progress will be made in this fight.
"Anyone can make a difference by working together," she said.