Phragmites Project — Blank Template copy

Catherine Bivens
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My Work

Phragmites Project2026

Non-native Phragmites Australis (Phragmites, or PA) –also known as Common Reed –is a highly invasive plant species now common in North American wetlands. This species has wide-ranging social, economic, and ecological impacts. Non-native Phragmites can negatively impact the biodiversity and ecological functions of invaded habitats, impair the recreational use of wetlands and shorelines, decrease property values, and increase fire risk. A decrease in biodiversity means a direct disruption of the food chain, pollination, native wildlife, and other plant species. Some scientists estimate that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of animal pollinators like bees, butterflies and moths, birds, bats, beetles and other insects.

Research & Chosen Deliverables
In my research with experts and members of my target audience, I found that many non-scientists had no idea that phragmites existed, or was a problem at all. This changed the project to become a campaign for awareness. The work from there was focused entirely on effective measures of communicating a problem:

Social Posts
In our modern age, one of the best ways to raise awareness or get eyes on a project is by way of social media. This is one of the most accessible methods of information sharing, and reaching a wide range of people.

Brochure
Once there are eyes on the subject, informing is the next step. The brochure contains information in order to identify, understand, and inform the best steps to take when handling phragmites.

Posters
The posters were one of the most involved parts of this process, being able to keep it engaging and eye catching while also informing the subject adequately proved to be difficult. These were reviewed by my end-users, and the products were overall a success in informing this subject.

App wireframe development
Although raising awareness was the main goal of this project, one of the best ways people can contribute is mapping and monitoring. This app serves to do just that. The PhragTag App prototype is a proposed solution that is meant to be wholly inclusive. The idea behind the app is this: the user sees a phragmites growth, and opens PhragTag app. The user then is able to mark their specific location on the map, and upload a picture to a database in order to report areas of growth. The App also contains additional information regarding Phragmites reeds, links to other websites about Phragmites, as well as a way to contact the Great Lakes Phragmites Collective– the collective in Michigan that specialized in phragmites control.

Merchandise
The project felt incomplete without a little bit of merch. One of the hats dons the logo in support of the cause, and the other is in favor of preserving one of our native species, the spring peeper.

Pellets
My final deliverable serves as a potential use-case for existing phragmites reeds. This, in particular, proposes a marketable solution which does have existing research being done for it, though it is in its infancy. PhragMents are pelletized phragmites reeds in order to be used as a fuel source. These would be ideal for any kind of pellet stove, or machinery which operates by combustible material such as this. The design for this product is meant to be straightforward, so the product has a clear utility to consumers. PhragMents is as it sounds: fragmented (pelletized) phragmites reeds packaged to be used as flammable material.

A Few Final Deliverables

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