Controlling Cattails -- Kane County Forest Preserve District to Control Invasive Hybrid Cattail Across Six Preserves

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The Forest Preserve District of Kane County Commission has approved a $44,450 contract with Wildlife and Wetlands Solutions, LLC to manage the spread of invasive hybrid cattail (Typha x glauca) in six preserves during the summer of 2025.

Cattails are common wetland plants found throughout Illinois, but not all are equally beneficial. While the native common cattail (Typha latifolia) can provide important ecological benefits like stabilizing shorelines, filtering nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from runoff, and offering habitat for birds, other species like narrow-leaved (Typha angustifolia) and hybrid cattail (Typha x glauca) are invasive. These invasive varieties aggressively spread, quickly forming dense, single-species stands that crowd out native plants and wildlife.

The hybrid cattail in particular poses significant challenges to wetland ecosystems in Kane County. Its thick growth can prevent water access for wildlife such as ducks and songbirds by blocking swimming paths and failing to support nests. Left unchecked, it dominates shorelines, limiting biodiversity and reducing the ecological value of wetlands.

To combat this, the Forest Preserve District sought bids to control cattail infestations over more than 120 acres across multiple preserves, including Aurora West, Dick Young, Freeman Kame, Fox River Shores, Willoughby Farms, and Pingree Grove preserves.

A combination of modern fire suppression, clearing, and licensed aquatic herbicide applications will be used to reduce invasive cattail populations while supporting restoration efforts for native flora and fauna.

For more information about the Forest Preserve District of Kane County and its conservation efforts, visit https://kaneforest.com/