RESEARCH Two-part research study: 1 Examine area and count plants to find a baseline measurement. Determine which removal methods are most effective. 2 Top: Workers from the Nature Conservancy use sharp spades to carefully sever the massive baby's breath taproot during manual plant removal. Use DNA to determine if new plants in the second year are regrowth of previously deposited seeds or if they are traveling by wind from other areas. Bottom left: Charlyn Partridge, right, examines a specimen during a visit to the research site at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Bottom right: Hailee Pavisich takes a sample that will be used to provide a genetic signature for that specific plant. 17 Grand Valley Magazine