Michigan Department of Transportation Vegetation Management & Sunflower Plots with Carla Ahlschwede

April 12, 2023

With more than 10,000 miles of roads and adjacent land, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is one of Michigan’s largest land managers. How often does MDOT mow? Why not plant tulips? Part of MDOT’s vegetation management strategy is to provide suitable habitat for wildlife, including pollinators. MDOT’s newest and perhaps most visual strategy is to plant areas in sunflowers. MDOT regularly plants flowers at rest areas and welcome centers, and the sunflower program has been especially popular. This webinar will answer some of your questions about how state land is managed and give an in-depth look at MDOT’s sunflower program.

About the presenter

Carla Ahlschwede is a Resource Specialist with the Michigan Department of Transportation and has been with the department for 6 years. Her current work focuses on vegetation management, highway litter removal, and rest area management. Prior to working for MDOT, she worked for the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Nebraska Department of Roads. Carla received two Baccalaureates of Science and a Master of Science from the University of Nebraska. She lives and works in Lansing, Michigan.