LAKE VIEW - Managing Iowa state parks involves a lot more than clearing fire rings and knowing the latest fishing report. State parks have delicate ecosystems that need to be understood and protected for future park users.

Non-native, invasive plants are the number one threat to the natural resources in Iowa's state parks. State parks are often home to many threatened and endangered plants and animals and parks staff are expected to protect these species from extinction.

"Understory plants like garlic mustard threaten the native understory in natural parks, like Ledges, Mines of Spain and Stone," said Kevin Pape, Iowa Department of Natural Resources state parks district supervisor in northwest Iowa. Volunteers and DNR staff battle garlic mustard each spring. "If this plant is not controlled, carpets of native wildflowers will be a thing of the past."

At Stone State Park, near Sioux City, leafy spurge is an invasive plant that thrives in the Loess Hills prairie and responds positively to prescribed fire. "A flea beetle was introduced to the park as a biocontrol for leafy spurge about five years ago," Pape said. "The flea beetle is a natural enemy to leafy spurge, feeding on the root system and slowly depriving the plant of its energy."

Each park has its own ecosystem and faces its own threats. There are a number of opportunities in the spring and summer for volunteers to help with tree planting, nature mapping, assisting with prairie rescue and other projects in Iowa state parks.

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