Ritterskamp new invasive species specialist at Soil and Water Conservation District

The Dubois, Daviess, and Martin County Soil and Water Districts (SWCD) has added a new invasive species specialist, Megan Ritterskamp.

She is a Vanderburgh County resident and graduated from the University of Southern Indiana (USI). She grew up in Great Falls, MT but has resided in Warrick or Vanderburgh counties since 1996. While at USI she studied zoology, botany, ecology, environmental geology, and environmental policies/sociology.

Ritterskamp worked in healthcare for 15 years before returning to school to pursue a degree in Environmental Science. She previously worked at Seton Harvest, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) unit in Vanderburgh county, growing a wide variety of vegetables for community members and charitable organizations. She has also been involved in several research studies ranging from bluebird monitoring to trace element soil contamination.

As the Invasive Species Specialist, Ritterskamp will work primarily through the Jasper SWCD office but will serve Dubois, Martin, and Daviess counties. Her position is funded for 36 months through a Clean Water Indiana grant, provided by the State Department of Agriculture. Ritterskamp will be working with area landowners and community organizations educating the public about the threat invasive species pose to the environment. Invasive plants that have been moving into Southern Indiana include Bush Honeysuckle, Autumn Olive, and Poison Hemlock to name a few.

“I am excited to work with area landowners, helping them identify invasive plants on their property and provide information on the best way to control those plants.”

If you would like Ritterskamp to conduct an invasive plant site visit on your property, or if you have any questions about invasive species in the area, please contact her at 812-482-1171 ext:3 or by email at megan.ritterskamp@in.nacdnet.net.