South-metro suburbs beat back plant invaders

The south metro is waging a battle with nature.

Prairies are being restored at parks, and suburbs are also fighting to keep the invasive buckthorn plant at bay.

In an attempt to return undeveloped land to its original condition, the Three Rivers Park District has restored more than 800 acres of open prairie.

Each year, volunteers collect hundreds of pounds of native wildflower seeds for restoration and enhancement projects.

On Tuesday, volunteers at Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve in Scott County spent three hours learning about different plants and plucking their seeds to help establish a more diverse seed bank.

But efforts to create a safe haven for endangered species and other critters are challenged by the introduction of buckthorn, an invasive plant from Europe.

The plant can grow from a thistle to a large tree and spreads in the shade.

Burnsville has struggled to contain the spread.

Caleb Ashling, natural resources technician for the city of Burnsville, said the leafy plant has invaded almost every shady area within the city that isn't currently treating it.

Several state grants allowed the city to begin ramping up efforts to remove the plant about five years ago.

Last year alone, Burnsville disposed of 41 semi loads of buckthorn.

On Tuesday, about 40 Burnsville residents attended an informational meeting to address the problem.

Buckthorn diminishes property value as well as ecosystems.