S2 E3: Save Your Chickens! Identifying Invasive Species with Dugan Julian
On this episode of The Lake Doctor Podcast, we’re joined by Dugan Julian, Northeast Regional Specialist for Indiana at the Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) and a former student of Dr. Nate Bosch (The Lake Doctor). Dugan shares how his circumstances and time with the marines eventually led him into a career combating invasive plant species across Northern Indiana. From lake shores to neighborhood landscaping, we explore the real-world impact of invasive plants on Indiana’s ecosystems—and how we can help to stop their spread.
You’ll also learn how to tell the difference between look-alike plants like Queen Anne’s lace and the dangerous poison hemlock. Dugan shares how foraging and eating certain invasive plants—like garlic mustard—can be a fun and practical way to protect the environment. Whether you’re a homeowner, a hiker, or a weekend lake goer, this episode is packed with insights on how you can play a role in native biodiversity.
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What's the Difference Between Non-Native and Invasive Species?
If you enjoyed learning about invasive plant species, then check out our Field Notes about non-native plants and animals. There are many definitions of the word “invasive” floating around, and invasive and non-native are not necessarily the same.