Honeysuckle Removal at Loess Bluffs

By Cynthia Anderson

Partner: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
– Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

Like so many other park and woodland areas, Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is fighting the encroachment of bush honeysuckle. The current Refuge Manager, William Kutosky, recognized that addressing the infestation early would make mitigation efforts significantly more effective. This proactive approach set the stage for a successful project and with that, my capstone project was created. As William wanted the work completed in November, I quickly recruited a small but mighty strike team to make the road trip to Forest City, where this beautiful wildlife refuge is located. 

Steve Cook, a fellow 2024 MMN Intern, and I embarked on the initial visit to Loess Bluffs to meet with William. Together, we identified and mapped priority treatment areas, focusing on the trailhead path behind the Visitors Center.  

With a plan in place, two additional 2024 classmates Ashley Meyer and Alex Tiemeyer, joined us the following week to tackle the job. William and two student volunteers also joined our team and we wasted no time in getting to work. 

We spent the day dividing and conquering with multiple teams, each consisting of a stump cutter and herbicide applicator. Ashley and I then focused on pulling the smaller plants. Along the way, we counted the number of plants cut and pulled by the team. After seven hours of focused effort and teamwork, we successfully removed 1,013 bush honeysuckle plants. Where honeysuckle had previously stood, you could now see the floor of the woody area. What a beautiful sight! 

As this was my first experience with honeysuckle mitigation, the project proved to be both educational and fulfilling. I significantly improved my ability to identify this invasive species and gained confidence in using herbicide treatments. I also learned the effectiveness of combining root docking and herbicide application of larger shrubs for long-term control.  

Equally rewarding was the opportunity to collaborate with a team of passionate peers. The camaraderie and shared sense of purpose made the day especially memorable. This experience deepened my appreciation for the unique habitats of the Loess Hills and helped to underscore the value of hands-on efforts in protecting these vital ecosystems.