Help stop the spread of non-native grass

[CouesWhitetail]

 

Weed-Whackin' Volunteers Needed for

Gonzales Pass Buffelgrass Jan 24-25

 

Want to offer a part of a weekend day helping contain the spread of an invasive nonnative weed? Call or email Thomas Hulen and sign up for the buffelgrass removal project at Gonzales Pass at highway 60, about five miles west of Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Jan. 24-25.

"Many, many Buffel grass plants have invaded Gonzales Pass on US60 and we'll participate in an ongoing extraction effort at this site," said Thomas Hulen, Vice President for Development Volunteers for Outdoor Arizona. "It isn't surprising to find Buffel grass and other invasive plants along highways, fortunately the state highway department has begun taking action to remove noxious non-native plants from highway right of ways. Plants along highways can quickly jump beyond the right of way -- and this appears to be the case at Gonzales Pass where a significant infestation has taken hold on the adjacent land of the Tonto National Forest."

Digging Buffelgrass can be strenuous, and teams will work on two areas within

this site to provide two different levels of exertion. "The Ravine Platoon" will have the easiest access--down a few feet from the parking

area (a service road so volunteers need not park on the highway) into a drainage. "It is critical that we retard deposition of seeds into waterways as this simply accelerates its distribution, in this case, deeper into the forest," said Hulen. "The greatest challenge awaits the Ridge Platoon. There is 300+ foot climb to where we intend to beat the enemy back. It is critical that it not make its way over the ridge, as this will trigger a whole new area of invasion. Actually,this has actually commenced in a few spots. We still have time to beat it back through decisive action now! (Excuse the military metaphor; but it seems so appropriate!)"

Hillsides here are steep, but the footing is generally good, though a few large rocks require a little scrambling. "Plants are easily dug out in most areas (based on our 'Special Ops' test), and at the end of each day we will form pass lines to bring filled bags down the hill and avoid trudging down and back up the hill to haul out captured plants," said Hulen.

"And, as if this were not enough fun for everyone, we have arranged for a visit to the historic Pinal town site nearby after work on Saturday. We will be accompanied by the restorationist who is preparing the site as a destination for the Town of Superior."

"You may work both or either days. We will have a camp at the Picket Post

Trailhead on the Arizona Trail (with a permanent pit toilet). There will be a potluck Saturday night for campers (VOAz will provide a pasta main entree). VOAz will also provide Sunday breakfast by Chef Mike.

To learn more about this event or others coordinated by VOAZ, check out the website http://www.voaz.org; to enlist for the buffelgrass removal email thom.hulen@voaz.org or else call 480.966.2689 or 602.619.9717

 

[NRS]

If you live in southern Arizona, and are interested in helping defeat buffelgrass, you can check out the following website for more information on where there are local buffelgrass projects.

 

http://www.buffelgrass.org/