Green’s Invasive Plant Dilemma
Length: 3-6 hours
Discipline: Plant and Soil Sciences
Level: Introductory (non-majors)
Author: Barton, Susan
This problem is about a state representative who becomes aware of invasive plants in his own garden. He discovers the names of the plants and how they might have spread into his garden. He decides to write a law outlawing invasive plants in Delaware but realizes the flaws of such a law when no one will serve as a co-sponsor. Students are challenged to create a more effective law and suggest other solutions to the problem. Student learning objectives include gaining an awareness of the problem of invasive plants, becoming familiar with available resources by trying to identify a few common species and researching possible control strategies, developing a sense of the difficulty in mandating control and an exploration of solutions other than legislation.