This was the largest invasive plant control operation that has been accomplished on the 2,500 acre refuge. Refuge staff expect to see a substantial restoration of wetland and upland wildlife habitat result.

Other invasive plant control operations conducted during the past year have included ground spraying, mowing, burning and hand removal by refuge staff and volunteers on the remaining 160 acres. Besides phragmites, other species treated included Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), Chinese lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), mile-a-minute weed (Polygonum perfoliatum), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa), and autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata).