A better question might be: what do we eliminate by joining forces with these two organizations dedicated to preserving a healthy urban forest for future generations?
The answer: We create a project focused on removing invasive species from local parks. Choking out native grasses and vegetation, these invasive plants hinder the growth of native plants that our soil and wildlife need to thrive.
In 2020, the Knoxville community (Trees Knoxville, City of Knoxville, KUB, UT, and Keep Knoxville Beautiful) began conducting an urban tree canopy assessment covering the years 2011 to 2018, measuring the overall changes in tree canopy cover in Knoxville. From this assessment, a team of partners formed to develop an Urban Tree Master Plan. This master plan, published in early 2024, gathered valuable feedback from the community. In mid-2024, Knoxville was awarded a $225,000 grant through the Inflation Reduction Act to address a significant concern expressed by the community regarding our green spaces. Many residents pointed out the harmful effects that invasive species have on our native plants and ecosystems.
Urban Forester Kasey Krouse expressed his excitement about the community’s interest in this critical issue, which he encounters daily in his role within the Public Service Department of the City of Knoxville. Collaborating with Ben Nanny, the Director of Conservation at Ijams Nature Center, was a logical next step in the planning phase and disbursement of the grant funds. Ijams, along with several other community organizations, city representatives, and local residents from various neighborhoods, contributed to the evaluation and creation of the Urban Tree Master Plan.
I met with Kasey, Ben, and Keira Johns, a newcomer to Knoxville and the Public Service Department, at Morningside Park to examine what this means for our community parks and what the public can do to support these efforts. To begin with, four parks have been identified for invasive species removal and regeneration: First Creek at Caswell Park, Sam Duff Park, Malcolm Martin Park and Morningside Park. This represents 100 acres of Knoxville that will be transformed.
I had never visited Morningside Park before and was impressed by the newly installed BlueCross Healthy Place playground. What an asset this park is for families in and around downtown. It made me nostalgic for the days when my kids were younger and loved playing on playgrounds. I appreciated the walking paths, disc golf course, and the EV charging stations being installed, as well as the many sitting areas throughout the 7+ acre park and the view over to the First Horizon tower.
While invasive plants may look appealing, they tend to grow rapidly, do not provide the nutrients that our wildlife need to thrive, and crowd out native species. For example, kudzu immediately comes to mind as it creates unattractive roadside views, overrun by this invasive plant. It fulfills the characteristics mentioned: choking out native plants and damaging forest floors by taking essential resources like sunlight, water, and soil nutrients.
I was disheartened to discover that English ivy and bush honeysuckle, which I often see and find pleasing, are also invasive. HERE is a look at more invasive species in our area. This experience has taught me that just because something is visually appealing does not mean it belongs in our environment. Perhaps there’s a greater life lesson to be learned from this realization?
Ben Nanny has been involved with Ijams Nature Center for decades, and one of his significant contributions is the Weed Warrior program and regular Saturday volunteer opportunities to keep Ijams invasive-minimal. Every Saturday, nature enthusiasts gather at Ijams to learn about a specific invasive species and actively work on maintaining the area. This community of volunteers can attract up to 50 people each weekend.
The Weed Warriors are a smaller, dedicated subgroup of volunteers who focus specifically on education related to invasive species. They meet on the third Saturday of each month at Ijams to deepen their knowledge and apply it at the nature center. These volunteers serve as ambassadors for the program, which is essential for advancing the current initiative in partnership with the city. Additionally, a statewide movement called Weed Wrangle will launch as part of this initiative. The date is TBD.
So, how will this all work? The city has already secured two contractors, Davey Resource Group and Outdoor Solutions, who will lead efforts to identify and remove the largest areas of invasive species in each park. They have also hired a staff member to oversee the project, and the partnership with Ijams Nature Center has been established.
Initially, the contractors will focus on their work in the parks, which will make volunteer efforts more manageable and target specific invasive species. Some of the species they will address include bush honeysuckle, English ivy, Chinese privet, and winter creeper.
The methods of elimination will be manual, mechanical, and chemical/herbicides using a foliar application that addresses leaf to root, a controlled cut stump method, and injecting the herbicide in the soil around the plant. Careful application with dot application to avoid overspray and/or natural runoff near waterways. All of the mechanical and a great deal of the herbicide application will be done via professional contractors, with volunteers coming behind doing the manual removal and some trained “Weed Warriors” to do herbicides. They strive to use safe products for pollinators and other plants and animals.
First Creek at Caswell Park is the first park to get this makeover. They plan to do a massive removal of invasives and replace native species there. It is slated to begin the last week of February this year, which I’m told is a great time to start as they can identify the invasives more easily (as they don’t shed leaves as much and/or start to bloom out earlier than our natives). Outdoor Solutions will head this up. Ijams and Ben Nanny will coordinate and lead the volunteer efforts. The timeline for other parks has not been established yet. There will be some mechanical removal in each with replacement of natives, but in most cases, they will use chemical and manual removal to allow the undergrowth of native plants to reestablish and grow strong.
The benefits to our city will include beautified spaces, a thriving ecosystem that supports our local wildlife, and the reintroduction of native plant species. When our green spaces flourish, everyone benefits.
If you would like to help, consider becoming a Weed Warrior at Ijams Nature Center. You can volunteer every Saturday—no prior experience is necessary, as training and resources will be provided. Please wear closed-toed shoes; tools and gloves will be supplied.
