Letter: Congratulations to forest botanist from MC-IRIS

Congratulations to Cheryl Coon, forest botanist for the Hoosier National Forest, for receiving the MC-IRIS Fightin’ IRIS Partner Award 2021.

Cheryl’s rapid response to the Japanese stiltgrass infestation at the Deam Wilderness has created the opportunity for a long-term management plan to be developed and maintained. Along with MC-IRIS (Monroe County Identify and Reduce Invasive Species), our partnership to develop Weed Wrangle volunteer-driven events has been a positive control strategy to reduce invasive Japanese stiltgrass, garlic mustard and multiflora rose on Hayes, Grubb Ridge and Pate Hollow Trails. Due to the opportunity to work alongside Cheryl, volunteers have developed an understanding of the measured steps needed to manage large tracts of land under threat.

By acting rapidly and leveraging our efforts to meet and involve more volunteers we can make a difference. We are proud to partner with Cheryl and the Hoosier National Forest to protect our natural heritage together.

MC-IRIS Team, Monroe County Identify and Reduce Invasive Species

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: MC-IRIS honored Cheryl Coon for work in Hoosier National Forest