By Jane Katte
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-972742.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – The Florida Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for a program to help landowners in northern Florida fight an invasive weed. Jane Katte reports, the program is intended to limit the destructive effects of Cogongrass on Florida's forests.
Cogongrass is a type of non-native grass, regulated on a state and federal level because of its ability to out-compete native plant species. Biologist for the Division of Forestry Jeffery Eickwort says Cogongrass is even more of a threat to native plants now, during wildfire season.
"It burns very well and then comes back very quickly after a burn. And so basically everything else dies in the fire, and Cogongrass comes back stronger than ever."
The Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program offers financial assistance to private, non-commercial landowners who use herbicide to keep Cogongrass under control. Applications for the program are being accepted through July 8th.