Hello
WMA Newsletter Subscribers:
Here is
a newsletter for May 2005.
Punagrass
Alert! - http://www.agcommissioner.com/wma/pg.htm
Landowners in the Santa Ynez Valley are requested to be
on the alert for punagrass.
Artichoke Thistle
Alert! - http://www.agcommissioner.com/wma/at.htm
Gaviota
coast landowners are requested to be on the lookout for artichoke thistle.
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NEWS
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Santa Cruz Island Weed Control
Project Awarded $4,500
The
Santa Cruz Island Weed Control Project has been awarded $4,500 by the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation Pulling Together Initiative. The award came from
the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) who is expected to request
that control is targeted at federally rated noxious weeds that occur on the
island. This award is considerably less than what was requested. The previous
NFWF funded SCI project is nearly complete. We are also now working on invasive
trees under a US Fish & Wildlife grant.
Punagrass Infestation
Treated
An
infestation of punagrass, Acnatherum
brachychaetum, an "A" rated noxious weed, located on a horse ranch on
Happy Canyon Road in Santa Ynez was treated with 2% Roundup Pro Concentrate by
The Valley Gardner. Eradication of this weed was attempted in 1985 but abandoned
when the CDFA stopped assisting.
Santa
Ynez Valley area landowners and ranchers are advised to be on the lookout for
this particularly weedy grass. Punagrass is a tough, spikey bunchgrass that
interferes with harvest machinery (in alfalfa) and that horses and cattle find
unpalatable. Punagrass can be distinguished from other bunchgrasses by the
production of cleistogamous seeds within the sheaths of the leaf base. For more
information, visit the punagrass alert
page.
Artichoke Thistle Infestation
Treated
An
infestation of artichoke thistle, Cynara
cardunculus, a "B" rated noxious weed, located just north of Arroyo
Hondo Preserve along Highway 101 was treated with 2% Roundup Pro Concentrate by
Agri-Turf Supplies. This infestation was targeted by the Weed Management Area in
2001, but permission to treat was only just obtained this year, after lobbying
of the out-of-state landowner by local ranchers and farmers. Luckily, funds were
available within the Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner's budget to conduct
the treatment.
In 3
years, the infested area increased is density and in area, from approximately
3.85 acres to 5.78 acres - a 50% increase. Gaviota area landowners are advised
to watch out for this particularly nasty weed. For more information, visit the
artichoke thistle alert
page.
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EDUCATIONAL
EVENTS
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Arundo Control Workshop
June
18, 2005, 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon;
Watershed Resource Center; Arroyo Burro Beach County
Park
The
Community Environmental Council is sponsoring a neighborhood workshop on arundo
control on the Arroyo Burro Creek watershed. David Chang will speak on the
biology and control of arundo. Other speakers will be there. For more
information contact David Chang, 805-681-5600.
2005 Noxious Weeds Seminar - Riparian
Weeds
http://www.countyofsb.org/agcomm/wma/WMASeminar.htm
September 14, 2005; Royal Scandinavian Inn; Solvang,
California
Save
the Date! The Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area has scheduled its fifth
noxious weeds seminar. The theme of this year's seminar is "Riparian Weeds"
Scheduled to appear: Mona Robison - Cape Ivy Biology & Distribution; Joe
Balciunas - Cape Ivy Biocontrol; Jason Giessow - Arundo Control; Maureen Spencer
and Tom Lockhart - Habitat Restoration & Stabilizing Streambanks; and Ken
Owen - Santa Cruz Island Project and Vinca Control. Registration will begin in
July.
14th Annual Cal-IPC
Symposium
http://groups.ucanr.org/ceppc/2004_Symposium/
October
6 - 8, 2005; Chico State University, Chico,
California
Join
friends and colleagues at the California Invasive Plant Council’s 14th Annual
Symposium on the campus of Chico State University! The Symposium is the state's
biggest gathering of wildland weed workers, and gives members an unparalleled
opportunity to exchange insights and approaches. This year's invited papers will
focus on the theme of prevention, with sessions on protocols and practices for
limiting weed movement; inventory and prediction approaches aimed at stopping
spread; and partnerships for early detection and rapid response. Adding to the
mix will be contributed paper sessions, a poster session, working group
meetings, and field trips.
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GRANTS
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National Forest
Foundation
The
National Forest Foundation (NFF), chartered by Congress, engages
In the
area of invasive species the NFF is making strategic investments in
collaborative projects that address the damaging spread of invasive species on
and around National Forests and Grasslands nationwide through project activities
such as:
- Removal and control of noxious
weeds;
- Citizen-based monitoring and GIS-mapping in areas of
high infestation;
- Watershed health improvement through re-seeding of
riparian areas with native species;
- Cultivation of native species for restoration
use.
Apply
by May 27, 2005.
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Sincerely,
David
Chang
Agricultural Commissioner's Office
263
Camino
(805)
681-5600
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