Invasive Species Buy Back Program

What is the Erie County Invasive Species Buy-Back Program?

Erie MetroParks and Erie Soil and Water Conservation District are teaming up to bring awareness about the invasive species that may be growing in your backyard by encouraging landowners to remove the invasives to improve watershed health.

We are specifically targeting Callery Pear, Tree of Heaven, Autumn Olive, and Bush Honeysuckle. If you have one of these species on your property, you’ll have a chance to get a free native plant in exchange for cutting down/removing the targeted invasive out of your yard. Tree and shrub quantities are limited, so this program is first come, first served.

Who can participate?

Any Erie County resident may participate in the program as long as they remove a designated invasive plant from their property.

PHOTO SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING

All photos must be submitted by September 1.

We are now accepting photo submissions of removed Callery Pear, Tree of Heaven, Autumn Olive, or Bush Honeysuckle.

The photo must include YOU with the target invasive species cut down.

(Additional photos with a close-up of removed species are preferred for identifying purposes.)

While we encourage the removal of all the invasive species on your property, this program is a 1:1 trade in. There is a limit of one native species per household.

Submission photos should be submitted through Survey 123. CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT.

For any questions you can reach out to Tara Kauffman tkauffman@eriemetroparks.org 419-625-7783 x236 or Breann Hohman bhohman@eriecounty.oh.gov 419-626-5211.

Invasive Species Buy-Back Pick-Up:

Pick up date for native plant trade in will be held during Fall Fest at Osborn MetroPark on September 21st, 2024. You may contact Tara Kauffman tkauffman@eriemetroparks.org 419-625-7783 x236 if an alternate date needs arranged.

Information on Targeted Invasives:

Controlling Non-Native Invasive- Callery Pear

Controlling Non-Native Invasive- Tree of Heaven

Controlling Non-Native Invasive- Autumn Olive and Russian Olive

Controlling Non-Native Invasive- Bush Honeysuckle

Be Alert for Spotted Lanternfly

The species that will be awarded in trade are Paw paw, Bur oak, Nannyberry, or Sycamore. There will also be a variety of pollinator packs to choose from including Black-eyed susan, Purple coneflower, Culver’s root, Sweet joe pye, and Dense blazing star. The pollinator packs will be available for pick-up at an earlier date.