Callery Pear flowers

Callery pear trees are an exotic plant species that can take over a landscape and crowd out beneficial native plants. People can learn how to control callery pears and other invasive plants at a Feb. 6 MDC virtual program.

Invasive exotic plants can reduce or eliminate native plants that previously thrived in a habitat. This, in turn, can negatively impact wildlife and insect populations that need those native plants to survive, states a release from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

People can learn how to identify and control exotic problem plants on their property during the Missouri Department of Conservation virtual program “Invasive Species: Identify and Manage Exotic Invasive Plants.”

This program will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, and is being put on by the staff at MDC’s Twin Pines Conservation Education Center in Winona. At this program, MDC Natural History Biologist Susan Farrington will discuss why invasive plants can be problematic for wildlife and insects. She will also discuss practical methods for dealing with exotic problem plants.

People can register for the free program at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/189476.

Registrants must provide an email so a program link can be sent to them. This program will include a chat-based question-and-answer period where participants can interact with the presenter.