Corporate volunteers needed to aid in greater Cincinnati area parks habitat restoration
Ohio River Foundation (ORF) has received almost $100,000 in funding for its Invasive Species Removal Strike Force (ISRSF) activities in Greater Cincinnati. Corporate volunteers from throughout Greater Cincinnati participate in hands-on restoration work to remove invasive species and, in some cases, plant native trees in removal areas. Funding for this program is provided in part by The Duke Energy Foundation, L.L. Nippert Charitable Foundation, and The H.B., E.W., and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee.
The ISRSF combats invasive species on public lands in the 22-county area around Greater Cincinnati, that makes up the focus region of the Ohio River Valley Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area coalition (ORV CISMA). ORF is the coordinator of the coalition that is made up of several organizations and local, state, and federal agencies.
“This program supports the efforts and goals of landowners to reduce land management costs by removing invasive species such as honeysuckle and callery pear, restoring native habitats, and reestablishing biodiversity to strengthen climate change resiliency,” said Jessica Rice, ORF restoration program manager. “We’ve removed thousands of invasive plants from hundreds of acres of park lands, and we’re now growing the program to improve even more public spaces.”
After invasive species are removed, native plants quickly bounce back. With native trees and wildflowers in place, native fauna return, and the ecosystem begins to function as it should.
Ohio River Foundation has ongoing invasive species removal projects at several partner parks throughout Greater Cincinnati and is now signing up corporate partners for employee volunteer days. To reserve a spot for your company in 2024, contact Sara Brandts, ORF Volunteer Manager at sarabrandts@ohioriverfdn.org.