BASF Partners with Several Groups to Control Invasive Species in Mitchell Mill Natural Area.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- Battling invasive species can be a difficult endeavor. But a team working to eliminate non-native, invasive weeds in North Carolina's Mitchell Mill Natural Area has strength in numbers.

Officials from seven county, state and federal governmental agencies, as well as experts from BASF Corporation, came together to participate in a project aimed at controlling several weed species within Mitchell Mill, including privet, Japanese stiltgrass and Japanese honeysuckle. In all, some 11 acres of invasive weeds infest a 200-acre area at Mitchell Mill.

Governmental partners in the project include the Wake County Department of Environmental Services, the Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District, The North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Division of Parks and Recreation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey.

According to Tom Hill, a natural resource conservationist for the Wake County Department of Environmental Services and co-manager of the project, the project officially began in December 2005 with the application of Arsenal(R) herbicide on areas containing mixed stands of privet, Japanese honeysuckle and Japanese stiltgrass.

"There are several plants, such as talinum and portulaca, that are endemic to Mitchell Mill's flatrock areas," Hill said. "A plant like privet threatens our native species by taking over available habitat. But, BASF herbicides such as Arsenal help us selectively control the invasive species and encourage the restoration of native plants."

The team has planned a second Arsenal application on the privet for mid-February 2006 and a third for November 2006.

In the summer, the team will apply Habitat(R) herbicide to aquatic areas. Timing is critical when controlling weeds in these aquatic sites because of the caddis fly, an insect that lives on both land and water.

"In aquatic areas, we apply Habitat during the summer, when there is no flow in the river area. This ensures that the treated water doesn't flow into important caddis fly habitat areas," Hill said.

"We're excited about this project," Hill said. "We applied for, and received, a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the National Association of Counties and the Wildlife Habitat Council. The grant, along with the help of all our partners will make this project successful."

BASF: Helping Make Products Better(TM)

With sales of EUR 3,354 million in 2004, BASF's Agricultural Products division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve yields and quality of agricultural crops. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF's Agricultural Products division is to be the world's leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com.

BASF: The Chemical Company

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF's intelligent solutions and high-value products help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. In 2004, BASF had approximately 82,000 employees and posted sales of more than EUR 37 billion. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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