MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - An invasive species found its way to Meridian Township and the parks department has been working for years to keep the plant under control. Phragmites are commonly found in wetland areas or near high speed transportation outlets, like railways or interstates.
Meridian Township uses an aquatic friendly herbicide to kill the plant which is applied by hand by volunteers in the fall.

"In some areas we see 1% of our original infestation, so it really does, if you stick with it and make sure you've found everything there is to find and treat it every year we definitely do see success and we've see native plants actually come back and our wildlife actually returning to those area," said Nicholas Sanchez, the Assistant Park Naturalist in Meridian Township.

While it is a year long process, the winter is used as a time to go out and survey sites and see current progress or new areas that may have been affected by the species.

A large percent of the plant is underground with lateral roots that can grow more that 60 feet and start a new colony.

Phragmites can raise up wetlands, clog drainage in an environment and make it difficult for species that rely on a variety of plants.

Decreasing the percentage of Phragmites in each site is the main focus in the hopes of lowering the number of sites needing to be treated in the future.