NCCISMA is thrilled to announce our latest collaborative community restoration project: to remove and replace 300 invasive shrubs - at schools, municipal buildings, and rest stops - with beneficial native species. The submission form to nominate potential sites is now open and must be received by May 11, 2025, to be considered for this project. Those interested in sharing information regarding site details are invited to complete the below form. Sites will be selected only from municipal buildings and schools within Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Missaukee, Osceola, and Wexford counties.
Although, businesses do not meet the criteria for free shrub replacement in this grant funded program, they can still participate at-cost through the NCCISMA Strike Team for Hire program. If interested, please fill out the Shrub Replacement Site Nomination Form and note that the request is for your business in the contact section. Note: the inclusion of business sites will be determined on a case by case basis.
*Required fields include location, which ornamental invasive species are present or anticipated to be present, and a dependable contact person for that site: such as a property manager or school principle (or yourself if a manager is unknown). Examples of invasive landscaping shrubs to be removed through this project include: Barberry, multiflora rose, privet, burning bush, Bradford/Callery pear and invasive buckthorn (see images below). Images of invasive shrubs taken at site may be sent to [email protected] and will help in evaluation of potential removal: please indicate nominated site in the subject line of Email.
Your nomination will be sent directly to NCCISMA for consideration - when you hit the Send Nomination button below - and you will be redirected to the NCCISMA Home Page. Thank you for your interest in habitat restoration!
Additional information about the NCCISMA Shrub Replacement Project:
The first phase at each site will involve the removal of invasive shrubs and work will be conducted by NCCISMA staff using best practices and procedures for invasive species removal. Once sites are prepared for replanting, NCCISMA will enlist the help of students and community groups to install native shrubs. These free replacement plantings will be complemented by educational signage that highlights the impact that invasive species have on surrounding natural areas, and promotes the usage of native species in landscaping for their benefit to native pollinators and wildlife.
Although native species generally require far less maintenance and upkeep - a major advantage when used in landscaping - a commitment from each school, office, or volunteer group, will be required prior to restoration to ensure that each site will be maintained following the project. Projects that fit grant criteria will be prioritized on a first come, first served, basis. Questions regarding the Shrub Replacement project should be directed to the NCCISMA office at [email protected].
Images are provided below to assist with identification of eligible invasive species for this grant. For additional identification information, visit the Midwest Invasive Species Identification Network (MISIN).
This project is funded by the US Forest Service – Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant.
The first phase at each site will involve the removal of invasive shrubs and work will be conducted by NCCISMA staff using best practices and procedures for invasive species removal. Once sites are prepared for replanting, NCCISMA will enlist the help of students and community groups to install native shrubs. These free replacement plantings will be complemented by educational signage that highlights the impact that invasive species have on surrounding natural areas, and promotes the usage of native species in landscaping for their benefit to native pollinators and wildlife.
Although native species generally require far less maintenance and upkeep - a major advantage when used in landscaping - a commitment from each school, office, or volunteer group, will be required prior to restoration to ensure that each site will be maintained following the project. Projects that fit grant criteria will be prioritized on a first come, first served, basis. Questions regarding the Shrub Replacement project should be directed to the NCCISMA office at [email protected].
Images are provided below to assist with identification of eligible invasive species for this grant. For additional identification information, visit the Midwest Invasive Species Identification Network (MISIN).
This project is funded by the US Forest Service – Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant.
Examples of Ornamental Invasive Species Eligible for Replacement:
Examples of Native Plant Species Used for Replacement:
Native bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera)
Native bush honeysuckle is a hardy shrub with arching stems lined with bronze-tipped leaves and gorgeous tubular, yellow flowers that appear throughout the summer months. Pollinators, specifically bees and moths, buzz to this underappreciated plant.
Native bush honeysuckle is a hardy shrub with arching stems lined with bronze-tipped leaves and gorgeous tubular, yellow flowers that appear throughout the summer months. Pollinators, specifically bees and moths, buzz to this underappreciated plant.
Red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Red twig dogwood’s blazing red branches create a stunning contrast to winter shrubbery, brightening up landscaping year-round. Four-season interest is also provided, as the spring blooms attract pollinators, variegated leaves create a diversity of color in the summer, and berries form from summer to fall.
Red twig dogwood’s blazing red branches create a stunning contrast to winter shrubbery, brightening up landscaping year-round. Four-season interest is also provided, as the spring blooms attract pollinators, variegated leaves create a diversity of color in the summer, and berries form from summer to fall.
Gray dogwood (Cornus foemina)
Gray dogwood is a rangy shrub that is at home in any wildlife area: supporting small foragers; including Eastern bluebirds; Northern cardinals; Northern flickers; and downy woodpeckers; as well as small mammals. This shrub’s appearance has a wild beauty, with small white winter berries on vibrant red fruit stalks, dark reddish purple leaves in the fall, and creamy-white summer flowers that grow in domed clusters and attract butterflies.
Gray dogwood is a rangy shrub that is at home in any wildlife area: supporting small foragers; including Eastern bluebirds; Northern cardinals; Northern flickers; and downy woodpeckers; as well as small mammals. This shrub’s appearance has a wild beauty, with small white winter berries on vibrant red fruit stalks, dark reddish purple leaves in the fall, and creamy-white summer flowers that grow in domed clusters and attract butterflies.
Maple-leaved viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium)
Maple-leaved viburnum has a wide season of interest: with small berries that ripen to a blue-black in the late summer; clusters packed with small white flowers in the spring to late summer; and a striking amount of green leaves that transform into a brilliant magenta in the fall. This woodland shrub is highly attractive to butterflies, specifically the Blue Azure butterfly, and small mammals and birds that use the shrub as a nesting and food source.
Maple-leaved viburnum has a wide season of interest: with small berries that ripen to a blue-black in the late summer; clusters packed with small white flowers in the spring to late summer; and a striking amount of green leaves that transform into a brilliant magenta in the fall. This woodland shrub is highly attractive to butterflies, specifically the Blue Azure butterfly, and small mammals and birds that use the shrub as a nesting and food source.
Wild raisin (Viburnum cassinoides)
Wild raisin is a shrub prized for its berries and distinct flowers. While the colorful berries are wonderful forage and a winter interest, the elliptic leaves also provide a diversity of color throughout the seasons: ranging from bronze and green to orange-red and red-purple that pop in sharp contrast to the white flowers.
Wild raisin is a shrub prized for its berries and distinct flowers. While the colorful berries are wonderful forage and a winter interest, the elliptic leaves also provide a diversity of color throughout the seasons: ranging from bronze and green to orange-red and red-purple that pop in sharp contrast to the white flowers.
Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)
Nannyberry is prized for its ornamental appeal and berries that persist into the winter, drawing birds and other wildlife. This four-season shrub has glossy, serrated foliage that transforms into reds, yellows, and purples while tiny blossoms of ivory develop into clusters of berries that ripen from green, yellow, and pink, to a deep blue-black - altering landscape appearance throughout the seasons.
Nannyberry is prized for its ornamental appeal and berries that persist into the winter, drawing birds and other wildlife. This four-season shrub has glossy, serrated foliage that transforms into reds, yellows, and purples while tiny blossoms of ivory develop into clusters of berries that ripen from green, yellow, and pink, to a deep blue-black - altering landscape appearance throughout the seasons.
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
Ninebark shrubs are as beautiful as they are resilient; a pollinator-friendly and water-wise shrub with arching branches and dense, sweet-smelling white or pink floral clusters that attract native bees and butterflies. While the flowers are a pinkish white, the shrub's foliage deepens through the seasons from greens and golds to deep purple and orange, providing a pop of color in summer gardens. Colorful papery bark provides winter interest as the shrub has a habit of peeling, revealing layers of light brown, burgundy, and red.
Ninebark shrubs are as beautiful as they are resilient; a pollinator-friendly and water-wise shrub with arching branches and dense, sweet-smelling white or pink floral clusters that attract native bees and butterflies. While the flowers are a pinkish white, the shrub's foliage deepens through the seasons from greens and golds to deep purple and orange, providing a pop of color in summer gardens. Colorful papery bark provides winter interest as the shrub has a habit of peeling, revealing layers of light brown, burgundy, and red.
Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Witch hazel is a large shrub/small tree known for its unique feature of blooming in the late fall and winter months. Fragrant, tassled, yellow blossoms are dazzling against the winter backdrop while the round, green foliage creates a soft silhouette in the summer months.
Witch hazel is a large shrub/small tree known for its unique feature of blooming in the late fall and winter months. Fragrant, tassled, yellow blossoms are dazzling against the winter backdrop while the round, green foliage creates a soft silhouette in the summer months.
Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)
Winterberry holly is a vibrant native shrub whose bright red berries splashes color onto the winter landscape. Long, toothed leaves transform from dark green to a yellow-gold in the fall before dropping in the winter to showcase the brilliant colored berries that attract over 40 species of birds.
Winterberry holly is a vibrant native shrub whose bright red berries splashes color onto the winter landscape. Long, toothed leaves transform from dark green to a yellow-gold in the fall before dropping in the winter to showcase the brilliant colored berries that attract over 40 species of birds.
