South Elmwood in Providence in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)

Purple Loosestrife Project

Conservation Corner

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 4, 2023

1. Purple Loosestrife Project Marker

Inscription.
• Purple loosestrife is pretty but it's a killer.

• It's a non-native, invasive species that out-competes native plants in wetland and ponds. It chokes out native flora vital to the survival of many native animal species.

• Purple loosestrife has no natural herbivores in the U.S. to keep it in check.

• Roger Williams Park Zoo is working with URI and other environmental organizations to stop the damage it causes. They have released two types of beetles that eat purple loosestrife.

• The release at the zoo has been very successful. In 1996 when the beetles were released, purple loosestrife covered most of the zoo's wetland area. Today purple loosestrife has decreased and native plants are beginning to take hold. For more information check out www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org

It's a matter of habitat. It's a matter of balance.
Conservation matters.

Erected by Roger Williams Park Zoo.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1996.

Location. 41° 47.232′

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N, 71° 25.118′ W. Marker is in Providence, Rhode Island, in Providence County. It is in South Elmwood. Marker can be reached from FC Greene Memorial Boulevard south of Hawthorne Avenue, on the right when traveling south. The marker can be found on the grounds of Roger Williams Park Zoo. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Providence RI 02905, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. What is an SSP? (here, next to this marker); Karner Blue Butterfly Project (here, next to this marker); American Burying Beetle Project (here, next to this marker); Saving Red Wolves (here, next to this marker); Follow your Food (within shouting distance of this marker); The Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Land Bridges (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Follow your Food (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Providence.

Additional commentary.
1. About the marker
Because this sign shares the history of how humans have affected the flora and fauna of the area, for better and worse, it serves as a historical marker.

— Submitted May 7, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 4, 2023

2. Purple Loosestrife Project Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 41 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 7, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.