Dec 13, 2025
In this eye-opening episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie sit down with Benjy Strope, Private Lands Management Biologist for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, to explore the sneaky, persistent, and surprisingly complex world of invasive plants. Inspired by Benjy’s article “Quiet Invasives,” this conversation gets right to the root of how invasive species spread, why they’re so hard to control, and what homeowners, land managers, and nature lovers can realistically do to fight back.
Benjy explains why invasive plants don’t follow the “rules” we imagine for our landscapes, how seeds hitchhike on everything from shoes to dogs to truckloads of dirt, and why even well-intentioned gardeners may unknowingly contribute to the problem. From statewide offenders like mimosa, Japanese stiltgrass, kudzu, Bradford pear, and Bermuda grass, to emerging threats like Japanese knotweed and fig buttercup, he breaks down what makes each plant so troublesome—and why identification and planning are essential first steps. The discussion covers effective control methods (including when herbicides are the responsible choice), the myth of “one-and-done” removal, the importance of seed banks and site-specific conditions, and the value of choosing hardy native alternatives like blanketflower and coreopsis.
Whether you’ve battled invasives in your backyard, spotted them in local parks, or want to protect native habitat in your community, this episode offers an honest, practical look at the ongoing fight to restore and preserve natural ecosystems. It’s informative, candid, and full of the kind of grounded, real-world expertise that helps listeners take meaningful action—one plant at a time.