FROM STAFF REPORTS

It’s the most unwanted of all pest plant species in Alabama – in the whole Southeast for that matter – and a number of state and federal agencies and private entities have declared war against it . . . cogongrass, Imperata cylindrica.

On May 13, more than 20 representatives officially entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to team up in the battle against this non-native, invasive weed. The signing event took place at the 4-H Center in Columbiana, where a large group of foresters and other natural resources professionals met for the Sixth Annual Conference of the Alabama Invasive Plant Council (ALIPC).

The purpose of this MOU is to establish a framework for collaboratively combating the negative effects of the grass within the state. By signing the agreement, the partners committed to facilitating a voluntary and cooperative effort in providing a means of control, suppression or eradication of this pest species across Alabama.