Pictured from left to right: Cera Widener, Ben Dressler, Dr. Renan Bosque, and Lindsey Wells.

A team from Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s Department of Biology participated in a conservation effort to control invasive garlic mustard at the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge.

This event, which took place on Saturday, Feb. 25, was organized by the Oklahoma Biological Survey. As a state agency and research department of the University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Biological Survey is committed to providing information on biodiversity and training both students and the public in biodiversity science.

The Weed Wrangle event focused on identifying and physically removing garlic mustard from forested areas on the refuge. The members of the team, which included Drs. Bosque and Cothran and three students, Ben Dressler, Lindsey Wells, and Cera Widener, had the opportunity to meet federal wildlife biologists and learn about the conservation of native bats and crayfish on the refuge.

The team’s participation in the event was a valuable opportunity to contribute to the conservation of the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge and to gain insights into the importance of preserving biodiversity in Oklahoma.

The team's contribution to the conservation of the refuge is a testament to their dedication to the field and their desire to make a positive impact on the local community.