Tools available to the public for invasive weeds eradication

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Owners of land plagued with invasive species can borrow equipment to help eradicate them.

The River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area and the Shawnee Resource Conservation and Development Area have partnered with the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund Program to create a mobile bank of plant control equipment.

The bank is a covered trailer with brush saws, chain saws, loppers, weed wrenches gloves and other safety gear, according to a release from the CWMA.

The store is available to landowners, organizations and groups wanting to conduct invasive plant control days.

The CWMA and the Wildlife Preservation Fund Program have also acquired 15 boot brush stations to install at trailheads in Southern Illinois. The stations educate trail users about invasive plants and allow them to clean their shoes to prevent moving invasive plant seeds.

The CWMA invites the public to learn more its projects and efforts at the Web site http://www.rtrcwma.org.