Wildlife Department to Discuss Noxious Aquatic Plant Concerns

If you enjoy water gardening you will want to attend one of two upcoming public forums to be held by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

The forums will address concerns involving certain species of aquatic vegetation used by water gardeners. The Wildlife Department has regulatory responsibility to control importation, transportation and propagation of any aquatic plant that may cause injury to the environment in Oklahoma.

"If accidentally introduced into the wild, certain non-native plant species used in water gardening have the potential to do harm to Oklahoma's aquatic environment. We have the responsibility to control the distribution and use of these plants before that happens, and we'd like the public's input in helping to shape these controls," said Kim Erickson, chief of the department's fisheries division.

The forums are intended for those with an interest in water gardening including hobbyists, nursery owners and growers. The first will be held Wednesday, Oct. 25 at the Zebco Cafeteria, 6101 East Apache, Tulsa, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The second forum will be held Thursday, Oct. 26 at the Senior Citizen's Center at Will Rogers Park, 3501 Pat Murphy Cr., Oklahoma City, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.