Invasive Plant Regulation in Knox County

By Will Drews, SICIM Chair

National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) is a great week to spread the word about invasive species, but it is also a great time (as state and federal representatives are in session) to discuss legislative action that can be taken to address invasive species. Besides at the state and federal level, local counties and municipalities have the authority to pass regulations (i.e. ordinances) to address invasive species. At the local level, Knox County was the first county in Indiana to pass an invasive plant ordinance.

Three of the 64 invasive species in the Knox County ordinance.

On Tuesday, August 7th, 2018, Knox County made history in Indiana by passing the first comprehensive terrestrial invasive plant regulation in the state. The county ordinance, passed by the Knox County Commissioners, prevented the sale, trade, and import of 64 different invasive plant species in Knox County, including popular landscaping invasive plants like Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana), Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus), Chinese Silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis), and more. Knox County was ahead of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Terrestrial Plant Rule that prohibits 44 species (included in the 64 prohibited in Knox County) throughout the entire state of Indiana. This was a win for all agricultural producers, recreationalists, foresters, environmentalists, and general landowners in Knox County.

Since the beginning of 2020, over 1,000 invasive plants (of 10 different invasive plant species) have been removed from sale in Knox County. The top invasive species prevented are English Ivy (Hedera helix), Chinese Silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis), and Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei), respectively.

It is important to know your local officials and educate them about the impact of invasive species. You never know what may come of it.