The Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council is optimistic in the fight against phragmites australis in their area. The region, which hosts a native variety of the common reed, has had a phragmites control program in place since 2010 when 200 individual stands of the invasive were discovered; now, as of a July survey, only 45 remain. The plant, especially difficult to remove due to its construction, grows approximately eighty percent of the its biomass beneath the surface.

     The group, which has recently obtained a permit that allows property owners to explore their own control methods (a key step in controlling phragmites locally), recommends landowners hire professional applicators for treatment.