(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Ketchikan's invasive plants group has been working hard to remove tansy ragwort from two large infestation areas north and south of Ketchikan. You may have seen them on a Friday or Saturday, rain or shine, putting tansy into bright yellow bags donated by the Ketchikan solid waste facility. This plant is toxic to wildlife that graze on leaves and flowers. The group's goal has been to prevent tansy ragwort from spreading further, and they aim to remove it completely over the next few years.

Ketchikan's invasive plants group is forming a Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) partnership composed of local landowners and interested individuals who want to remove high-priority invasive species before they become widespread and take more time and effort to remove. This group would like to invite all Ketchikan City and Borough land and property owners and other concerned citizens to attend their next meeting on Monday, August 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The location is the Ketchikan Public Library large multi-purpose room (1110 Copper Ridge Lane).

The meeting will begin with a 15-minute introductory presentation about high-priority invasive plants in the Ketchikan area. The remainder of the meeting will focus on (1) what we have learned from this year's work with tansy ragwort and strategies for next year, (2) the MOU process and formation of Ketchikan's CWMA, and (3) efforts to obtain funding for invasive plant management, outreach, and education. We will be available to answer questions on invasive plants and the CWMA. The public is invited to attend.

A number of other exotic invasive plants may be targeted in the future as well, such as Japanese knotweed, lady's mantle, and Scotch broom. Some of these are located in areas from which they can easily spread via vehicles, large equipment, or soil and rock that is moved. Invasive plants are defined in federal documents as "non-native species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health."

Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

U.S. Forest Service
www.fs.fed.us

 

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