Daviess County, Indiana – In the rolling hills of rural southern Indiana, the Glendale Fish & Wildlife Area spans nearly 10,000 acres, boasting a vibrant tapestry of forests, lakes, and fields, all teeming with local wildlife. However, beneath this natural beauty lies a growing concern: invasive plant species that threaten the very ecosystems that make the area a wildlife haven.
Rob Sullender, the property manager of Glendale Fish & Wildlife Area, has long been aware of the issue. “A lot of people see all the green and the understory and think everything’s blooming. It looks good when it’s not,” he explained. The growing presence of invasive plants like multiflora rose and autumn olive is a silent but powerful disruptor, crowding out native species and stunting the overall health of the environment.
Sullender’s small team has worked tirelessly to address the issue, but invasive plant species pose an uphill battle. With limited manpower, Sullender recognized the need for more support and was thrilled when a partnership with Sustaining Hoosier Communities (SHC) materialized. SHC, a program of the IU Center for Rural Engagement, connects rural communities across Indiana with Indiana University’s faculty, students, and staff to tackle community-identified projects.
This spring, SHC teamed up with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to mobilize students from the School of Public Health-Bloomington’s capstone course, Applications in Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Human Ecology. Under the leadership of Senior Lecturer Brian Forist, the students joined the effort to fight the invasive plant problem head-on, bringing much-needed support to the DNR team.
Forist, who also serves as the course instructor, believes this hands-on project is a unique opportunity for students to engage in real-world environmental work. Unlike a state park, which focuses on recreational activities, a fish and wildlife area like Glendale is dedicated to managing fish and wildlife through research, restoration, and regulation efforts. These centers also offer opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, and habitat development.
“It’s important work, and it’s an uphill battle,” said Sullender. “It takes a lot of manpower, and we don’t have that. So bringing in students is a huge help.”
The collaboration had two main goals: educating the public about the dangers of invasive plants and engaging students in the active removal of these plants to help restore the ecological balance at Glendale Fish & Wildlife Area.
Invasive plant species are a significant problem in Indiana, and the Glendale Fish & Wildlife Area is no exception. Forist, who has been working in environmental education for years, explained why invasive species are such a threat to the area’s ecosystem.
“Invasive plant species are a really significant problem in Indiana natural areas,” Forist said. “And the reason is, it prevents other things from growing. You end up with more of a monoculture than a diverse understory. When you lose that diversity, you lose resilience, and the ecosystem is harder pressed to recover after any kind of a disturbance.”
Monocultures, which are single-species plant communities, don’t offer the same ecological benefits as diverse ecosystems. The loss of plant diversity not only harms the wildlife that depend on these plants but also makes the area more vulnerable to disease, extreme weather events, and other disruptions.
The students involved in the project were tasked with a variety of roles, from hands-on removal of invasive species to creating educational materials. One of their major contributions was developing informational displays for Glendale’s visitor center. These displays will help visitors understand the importance of native plants, the harm invasive species cause, and how they can help by reporting or removing them from their own properties.
“This is probably the most hands-on work we’ve done in the field,” Forist said. “We’ve done other field experiences where we’re out on the ground with partners that we’re working with to orient us to the area, and then we work on something that we deliver. It’s mostly been content. This one is the most hands-on. I think it really resonates with the students, very, very well.”
For the students, the experience provided invaluable insight into environmental conservation. The students not only gained practical experience in ecological stewardship but also contributed to an effort that will have long-term benefits for the local community and wildlife.
The partnership between the DNR, SHC, and the students from Indiana University is just the beginning of a larger effort to combat invasive plant species across the state. The work done at Glendale Fish & Wildlife Area is part of a broader, statewide initiative to restore ecological balance and protect Indiana’s natural landscapes for future generations.
Through initiatives like these, the state hopes to inspire local communities to get involved in the battle against invasive species, ensuring that the green spaces we cherish remain healthy and sustainable. Whether through education, hands-on involvement, or simple awareness, each small effort contributes to a larger movement of environmental conservation.
For more information on invasive plant species in Indiana and how to get involved, residents can visit the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website.
By joining forces with students and community partners, the Indiana DNR is showing that when it comes to preserving our natural resources, every hand counts—and together, we can make a difference.
