The Backyard Naturalists are absolutely thrilled to feature Dr. Carrie, DeJaco, Ph.D. on this episode to have a conversation about invasive plants. Dr. DeJaco is an Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at Pfeiffer University in North Carolina. She also holds a B. A. and Masters Degree in Biology from the University of Louisville. Carrie loves using Pfeiffer's extensive Misenheimer campus as an outdoor classroom in which her students can conduct projects with invasive species, succession, and landscape reconciliation.     We start the conversation at the very beginning with the simple question, “what is an invasive plant” and during the discussion, we review items such as:

• The Top 10 List of invasive plants in the Greater Charlotte, NC region
• Which invasive plant can you get rid of to help control mosquitoes in your yard
• Once you’ve rid your yard of invasive ground cover, what’s a good, drought tolerant replacement

During this episode, Debbie mentions a document published by the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County which reviews invasive exotic plants in the area and how it serves as a guide to their identification and removal. The publication can be accessed here.

Carrie's website provides a comprehensive list and detailed information on native and invasive plants for your yard and garden. 

We encourage you to regularly visit Dr. DeJaco’s Facebook page, For the Birds and the Bees and connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.

Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.

Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists.  We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.

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