Letter: Buckthorn overlooked in article on naturalist Kennicott

Burt Constable's article on Robert Kennicott left out one damning fact of Kennicott's life! Kennicott was responsible for bring the invasive buckthorn plant from Europe to the United States as food for birds and use as a hedge.

Evidently, Kennicott did not know of buckthorn's damaging characteristics. It threatens the future of forests, wetlands, prairies and other habitats, because it out-competes other natural plants for nutrients, light and moisture. It degrades wildlife habitats and contributes to erosion. There are several groups in Illinois dedicated to its eradication.

C.W. Hays

Lake Forest