• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Labels & Packaging
    • Markets
    • Technology
    • Equipment
    • Supplies
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Events
    • Jobs
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Labels & Packaging
  • Markets
  • Technology
  • Equipment
  • Supplies
  • Buyers' Guide
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Columns
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    The 2019 TLMI Awards

    Labelexpo Europe holds most international edition yet

    Cannabis Labels

    Digital Printers and Presses

    Digital Printing Update
    Breaking News
    Converter News
    European Label News
    Industry News
    Industry People
    M&A News
    New Products
    Expert's Opinion
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Mark Andy joins forces with UPM Raflatac

    Siegwerk opens Europe's largest, fully-automated ink facility

    Domino welcomes Steve Daily to Service & Support Team

    Kodak and Uteco sell first Ultrastream flexible packaging press

    Polykote announces new UV inkjet labelstock
    Beauty & Personal Care Labels
    Beer Labels
    Beverage Labels
    Flexible Packaging
    Folding Carton
    Food Labels
    Glue-Applied
    In-Mold
    Industrial Labels
    Medical Labels
    Pharmaceutical Labels
    Pressure Sensitive
    Prime Labels
    Promotional Labels
    Security Labels
    Shrink
    Smart Labels
    Specialty Labels
    Spirits Labels
    Wine Labels

    Kodak and Uteco sell first Ultrastream flexible packaging press

    Schreiner MediPharm and PragmatIC form strategic partnership

    Avery Dennison acquires Smartac’s RFID inlay business

    Luminer expands NJ manufacturing facility

    PPG Teslin labelstock receives BS 5609 Section 3 certification
    Africa
    Asia
    Australia
    China
    Europe
    India
    Latin America
    Middle East
    North America

    HP teams with Haney for sustainable packaging

    Austrian converter installs first Nilpeter press

    Schreiner MediPharm and PragmatIC form strategic partnership

    Avery Dennison acquires Smartac’s RFID inlay business

    MPS Systems North America relocating to Philadelphia
    Flexography
    Digital Printing
    Prepress
    Finishing
    Sustainability

    Mark Andy joins forces with UPM Raflatac

    Domino welcomes Steve Daily to Service & Support Team

    Kodak and Uteco sell first Ultrastream flexible packaging press

    HP teams with Haney for sustainable packaging

    Herma's labelstocks receive new certification
    Digital Printers & Presses
    Flexo Presses
    Label Converting Equipment
    Label Finishing Equipment
    Prepress Equipment

    Domino welcomes Steve Daily to Service & Support Team

    Austrian converter installs first Nilpeter press

    MPS Systems North America relocating to Philadelphia

    First Mark Andy P4 installed in Russia

    Memjet technology drives new COASO label press
    Dies And Tooling
    Flexo Supplies
    Ink & Coatings
    Prepress Supplies
    Pressrooom Supplies
    Substrates

    Mark Andy joins forces with UPM Raflatac

    Siegwerk opens Europe's largest, fully-automated ink facility

    Herma's labelstocks receive new certification

    UPM Raflatac launches high-tack adhesive for film labeling

    Filmquest appoints new senior account manager
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Label Converters
    Trade Associations
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Domino

    Xeikon

    Elkem Silicones USA Corp.

    Flexo Export

    Durst Group - Durst Phototechnik AG Headquaters
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live from Show Events
    • Magazine
      • Current & Past Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers' Guide
      • All Companies
      • Categories
      • Company Profiles
      • Label Converters
      • Trade Associations
      • Add Your Company
    • Labels & Packaging
      • Beauty & Personal Care Labels
      • Beer Labels
      • Beverage Labels
      • Flexible Packaging
      • Folding Carton
      • Food Labels
      • Glue-Applied
      • In-Mold
      • Industrial Labels
      • Medical Labels
      • Pharmaceuticals Labels
      • Pressure Sensitive
      • Prime Labels
      • Promotional Labels
      • Security Labels
      • Shrink
      • Smart Labels
      • Speciality Labels
      • Spirits Labels
      • Wine Tables
    • Markets
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • China
      • Europe
      • India
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
    • Equipment
      • Digital Printers & Presses
      • Flexo Presses
      • Label Converting Equipment
      • Label Fishing Equipment
    • Supplies
      • Dies And Tooling
      • Flexo Supplies
      • Ink & Coatings
      • Prepress Supplies
      • Pressrooom Supplies
      • Substrates
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live from Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Jobs
    • Resources
      • Supplier Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Homepage Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Letters From The Earth

    Invasive plants and animals

    Related CONTENT
    • Phoseon expands presence in Asia-Pacific markets
    • Craft to Can: Giving life to label design
    • Xeikon Cafe North America 2019
    • Eaglewood Technologies expands Demonstration and Training Center
    • IMDA names 2019 in-mold award winners
    Calvin Frost10.11.19
    “For my people are foolish…they are stupid children, they have no understanding. I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light. I looked on the mountains and they have quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro. I looked, and lo, there was no one at all, and all the birds of the air had fled…the fruitful land was a desert…”
         Jeremiah


    When I heard this passage from Jeremiah, all I could think of was how appropriate an introduction for this column. Everything I’ve been reading over the last several months has something to do with “invasive,” and how invasive creatures are laying waste to our environment. To start, I looked up the word invasive. The definition of invasive is someone or something that intrudes or that spreads itself throughout, like evil in the above passage from Jeremiah. A good example of invasive is cancer. It spreads itself throughout your body and fear in its wake. Cancer is invasive. A person can also be invasive. How about the guy who is constantly showing up at your home and butting into your life? Surely you agree, that guy is not only a pain, but invasive.

    Further, what fascinates me is not trying to control what is invasive outside our borders, but what is already here, in America. Frankly, we have an invasion on a huge scale on so many different fronts that it’s hard – nearly impossible – to marshal our forces to respond. The battle lines are drawn, for sure. But how do we create solutions for jumping worms, Burmese pythons, feral pigs, kudzu and others? While invasion conjures different things to different folks, trust me, creatures and plants are taking over: suffocating, eating, over-grazing and wallowing their way into our lives. In almost every region of the US, we are confronted with invasive activity. We are struggling to develop appropriate solutions to control our natural environment. Indeed, we are at war. Let me explain.

    Several years ago, I wrote about kudzu, an invasive plant species introduced from the subtropical and temperate regions of China, Japan, Korea, and other countries that are warm and tropical. According to Richard Blaustein, “Its introduction has produced devastation, environmental consequences in many parts of the southern United States.” Its nickname is “the vine that ate the South.” It has “outpaced the use of herbicide spraying, increasing the costs of this kind of control by $6 million a year.”

    I talked with landowner Tom O’Donnell of Bull Valley, IL, about invasive plants. He commented on how invasive species affect his land:

    “My exposure to invasive plants is based on restoring my 35-acre property to its native state. This property includes Dry Prairie, Wet Prairie, Burr Oak Savannah and Wetlands, including a Wetland Fen. Invasive plants crowd out native species and wildlife, negatively change the ecosystem, and many times become a monoculture of one particular invasive. I have removed the following invasive plants utilizing numerous special herbicides and back breaking labor:
    • Canadian Goldenrod – an especially noxious invasive that is particularly difficult to remove as it is Rhizomatous, and spreads thru its roots in addition to seed heads.
    • Garlic Mustard – a very advanced invasive in that it produces allelopathic compounds that change the soil composition and inhibit other plants from germination.
    • Buckthorn – The seeds act as diuretics to consuming birds.
    • Purple Loosestrife – a visually attractive wetland invasive that is decimating native habitats. Good news here is that Cella beetles, when introduced, have done an excellent job of controlling this invasive.”
    Tom mentioned numerous other invasive species and concluded by saying that in a 2005 government study, the cost of trying to manage invasive species was estimated at $120 billion per year.

    Liz Lavezzorio, of the Garden Club of Lake Forest, Illinois, reminded me of the story of the Weed Wrangle in the quarterly issue of the Garden Club of America (GCA) Bulletin. Weed Wrangle is a name coined by the Garden Club of Nashville. Their actions in Nashville were picked up by the New York Times and reported in an article titled “Innovative Project to Eradicate Invasive Plants.” Liz is the Vice Chairman of GCA’s P4P (Partnership for Plants) and says “once the invasive species are removed, you must restore the habitat to prevent invasive plants from coming back.” GCA partners with a variety of conservation and horticultural committees to restore native habitats. Tom O’Donnell goes it alone on his 35 acres, while the GCA has thousands of volunteers committed to eliminating invasive plants. Go Liz and go Tom. Interestingly none of these weeds and noxious plants originated here in the US. They are non-native and reduce land value, increase water erosion, and compete with native plants, ruin wildlife habitat, can be toxic to animals and humans, increase surface water evaporation, and reduce water tables. Have any of you tried to eliminate buckthorn? It is incredibly aggressive and full of sharp needles. If you are wounded in the removal process you can be seriously infected. Nasty stuff and very invasive and hard to eradicate.

    Let’s move on to some invasive creatures that include feral pigs, pythons, jumping worms and spotted lantern flies. The list of invasive species is endless. The Burmese python is now at invasive proportions. I have watched videos of professional hunters trying to trap and eliminate pythons with limited success. Certainly, pythons are invasive in the Everglades area of Florida.

    I had no idea that feral pigs were such a serious problem. Ask landowners and farmers in South Georgia, Texas and Mississippi. Feral hogs or pigs have created a $50 million problem in just Alabama. That translates to a half billion in the southern part of the US.

    We have just added two new invasive species to the list, jumping worms and spotted lantern flies. In Illinois we not only have emerald ash borer and Asian carp but the jumping worm, also known as crazy worm, Alabama jumpers or snake worms. According to Chris Evans, a University of Illinois Extension Service Forester, “basically in Chicago they’re everywhere. We consider anything in Chicago covered.” Evans is covering the invasion, and he and Brad Herrick of the University of Wisconsin say that the common earthworm is beneficial, but Jumping worms, conversely, like to hang around in the upper layer or even on top of the soil. They lurk in leaves, mulch and the top layer of organic matter like cruise ship passengers at the midnight buffet: eating and eating...and eating. “They are voracious in their feeding behaviors,”says Herrick, who notes that some landscapers have reported having to reapply mulch multiple times within one growing season because the worms have consumed it so quickly. They will stay in that top layer just consuming the organic matter until it’s all gone, which is why you can see them so easily, and they’re kind of shocking in high abundance.” The rapid depletion of the organic layer of soil has an impact on plants. “Plants need that layer in order to germinate,” says Herrick, “and trees need it in order to survive.”

    The latest invasive species is the spotted lantern fly, which has invaded southeastern Pennsylvania. These superbugs originated in India, China and Vietnam. That state’s Agricultural Department says, “The bugs threaten to destroy $18 billion in plant-based commodities in the state.”

    There are many more invasive plants and creatures than I’m able to mention here, or I fear this column itself will be considered invasive. But if you get this far, you’ll realize we have a serious problem to consider within our borders even as we focus so much attention outside. Thank goodness our industry isn’t quite as invasive. At least that’s my view.

    Another Letter from the Earth.


    Calvin Frost is chairman of Channeled Resources Group, headquartered in Chicago, the parent company of Maratech International and GMC Coating. His email address is cfrost@channeledresources.com.
    Related Searches
    • environment
    • surface
    • mississippi
    • home
    Suggested For You
    UPM Raflatac develops wash-off labeling materials UPM Raflatac develops wash-off labeling materials
    JM Heaford sells EES mounter on-stand JM Heaford sells EES mounter on-stand
    Xeikon displays new ‘smart label’ solution Xeikon displays new ‘smart label’ solution
    Wilson Manufacturing Wilson Manufacturing
    DTM Print DTM Print
    Siegwerk supports flexible packaging safety Siegwerk supports flexible packaging safety
    Harper Corporation of America welcomes Angel Jackson Harper Corporation of America welcomes Angel Jackson
    Is it first? Is it first?
    FPA releases flexible packaging report FPA releases flexible packaging report
    Sandon Global announces plans for new headquarters Sandon Global announces plans for new headquarters
    IMDA names 2019 in-mold award winners IMDA names 2019 in-mold award winners
    Eaglewood Technologies expands Demonstration and Training Center Eaglewood Technologies expands Demonstration and Training Center
    Xeikon Cafe North America 2019 Xeikon Cafe North America 2019
    Craft to Can: Giving life to label design Craft to Can: Giving life to label design
    Phoseon expands presence in Asia-Pacific markets Phoseon expands presence in Asia-Pacific markets

    Related Letters From The Earth

    • Sacrifice and survival

      Sacrifice and survival

      Can “sacrifice zones” create positive change? I think so. First, what is a sacrifice zone?  It is “a geographic area that has been impaired by environmental damage or economic disenchantment.”  Think of the southern…
      Calvin Frost 11.15.19

    • Palm oil

      Several issues ago I wrote about synthetics, manmade chemistries, if you will. I had numerous e-mails about that one, some positive and some not so positive. Such is life! But I have a post script to that column. I just read a wonderful opinion piece…
      Calvin Frost 09.04.19

    • Evian spelled backward

      I was going to discuss the ROI on EPR in this column.  Some of you would say, “What’s he talking about?” Very simply, the return on investment on extended producer responsibility. But, right now we’re sitting on a powder…
      Calvin Frost 07.10.19


    • Chemistry is the culprit

      There’s something going on that doesn’t make a lot of sense. I’m going to divert from my “scheduled” topic, but it’s necessary. I’ve been reading about chemistry (Bill and David, do you remember Chemistry 101…
      Calvin Frost 05.31.19

    • Garbage patch gyres

      My wife invited me to join her to watch a movie at a recent Garden Club meeting.  The movie, “Bag It,” was about plastic contamination in oceans. (What else at a garden club meeting, right!?) It was very graphic and had me thinking a…
      Calvin Frost 04.05.19

    • Taking responsibility

      If we’re committed to a world, a planet in balance, how in the world do we do it? Well, certainly it takes a “pure” committed Huawei, not the one that we’ve recently come to know in the US.  The Huawei I wrote about earli…
      Calvin Frost 03.14.19


    • This is not about China

      Wow, a flurry of emails from you regarding my last column on Chinese domination of the solar industry. And, most recently, the controversy surrounding the arrest of Chief Financial Officer, Meng Wanzhou, of Huawei. Lots of spirited comments, but at l…
      Calvin Frost 02.01.19

    • China means business

      In my last column I wrote about the importance of photosynthesis.  I said photosynthesis “is the essence of life.” I spent most of the column discussing the biological process of photosynthesis and the importance of sun energy as the…
      Calvin Frost 11.16.18

    • Improving photosynthesis

      Improving photosynthesis

      Photosynthesis is the essence of life, in more than one way or another. In photosynthesis, plants use the energy of the sun to turn air and water into sugar, the food that plants use to build their tissue that feeds the world.  When we emit carb…
      Calvin Frost 10.12.18


    • Sustainable investing

      Sally came to dinner the other evening. We don’t see her as much now that Bob is gone.  She lives north in the summer, south in the winter and west in between. Who knows where she is or when? It was kind of fun to semi-listen to her update…
      Calvin Frost 09.10.18

    • A monster of a problem

      A monster of a problem

      Folks, we have a problem. Neither the “love” potion as postulated at the royal wedding by the Most Right Reverend Michael Curry, the presiding head of the American Episcopal Church, nor the love messages from Bob Dylan and others of 50 ye…
      Calvin Frost 07.13.18

    • Passing Gas, Keeping Score

      Passing Gas, Keeping Score

      First, apologies for that photo in the April issue. Suffice it to say, I had no idea our editor would connect it to my comments on California’s Cap & Trade scheme, as well as my admiration for Governor Jerry Brown. Nor had I looked closely…
      Calvin Frost 05.25.18

    • Californication

      Californication

      There’s a wonderful article in Mother Jones called “Dreamers of the Golden Dream.” Mother Jones has always been one of my favorites: liberal, investigative, irreverent, and holds no hostages. In this case, however, Gabriel Kahn was…
      Calvin Frost 04.09.18

    • Taking on a new life

      In my last column I wrote about a study on the incredible growth of the plastics industry and a similar growth in plastics going to the landfill. The study concluded: “Thus without a well-designed and tailor-made management strategy for end…
      Calvin Frost 03.09.18

    • Plastic parallels

      Plastic parallels

      In my last column I mentioned that “the current linear plastics system is broken.” Sadly, like so many other truly important contributors to our society (and let’s not debate the degree of importance), many of our developments since…
      Calvin Frost 01.26.18


    Breaking News
    • Luminer promotes Heather Bookman to prepress manager
    • Materials Exchange launches to solve excess inventory issue
    • Mark Andy joins forces with UPM Raflatac
    • Omet India opens in New Delhi
    • Siegwerk opens Europe's largest, fully-automated ink facility
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    November/December 2019

    • THE 2019 TLMI AWARDS
    • Labelexpo Europe holds most international edition yet
    • Cannabis Labels
    • Digital Printers and Presses
    • Digital Printing Update
    • Narrow Web Profile: Adflex Corporation
    • View More >
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    Deerland Obtains Certification from Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration
    OptiMSM Shown to Improve Hair & Nail Appearance and Condition
    DCC Acquires Contract Manufacturer Ion Laboratories
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    Beckers Group Announces Global Price Increase on Coil, Industrial Coatings
    Evonik, Wynca Celebrate Groundbreaking of New Fumed Silica Plant in Zhenjiang
    Personnel Changes in Corporate Communications, Government Relations at BASF
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    15-Year Tele-Critical Care Collabration Yields Significant ICU Improvement Results
    Prellis Biologics' New Tool Simplifies Complex Tissue Engineering
    InspireMD's CEO Steps Down
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    CatSci Expands Capabilities with Lab Expansion
    Smart Tags on Pills Set to Improve Supply Chain Security and Patient Adherence
    PCI Pharma Services Invests in Tredegar, UK Site
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Time Features 5 Best Beauty Inventions
    CES 2020 Preview - Innovation Award Honorees in Health & Wellness
    Star of E!'s Botched Gets Line Leaping Bunny Certified
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    Birchbox Partners with Buzzfeed
    Coty Strengthens Its Leadership
    Jennifer Garner Joins Virtue Labs
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Smurfit Kappa, Wings for Aid Create Disaster Relief Packaging Solution
    ePac Flexible Packaging Expands into Asia Pacific Market
    United Carton Industries Company Invests in EFI Nozomi Corrugated Printer
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Luminer promotes Heather Bookman to prepress manager
    Materials Exchange launches to solve excess inventory issue
    Mark Andy joins forces with UPM Raflatac
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Simavita Set to License Sensor Technology in EU
    NDC Appoints President
    AATC Adds Two Scholarships
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    TriMed Closes Out FDA Warning Letter
    FDA OKs Shoulder Innovations' Augmented Glenoids for Total Shoulder System
    OrthoGrid Systems Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance for New PhantomMSK Trauma Application
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    SEMI Releases Global Semiconductor Equipment Sales Forecast
    eMagin Corporation Announces Approximately $4.3 Million Order for Military Program
    CPI Supports Smart Food-labeling Project Set to Reduce Food Waste in 2020

    Copyright © 2019 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.