- Author: Chris M. Webb
UC ANR’s Weed Research & Information Center (WRIC) is an important resource for weed management. Their mission statement is:
The Weed Research and Information Center is an interdisciplinary collaboration that fosters research in weed management and facilitates distribution of associated knowledge for the benefit of agriculture and for the preservation of natural resources.
In addition to information about the program, their website has a calendar of upcoming related short courses and provides links to UC ANR publications and other resources and organizations for weed management.
In addition to this statewide resource, our website has a “Weed and Invasive Plants of Ventura County” page. To find out more please click here!
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Beginning today and running through July 29, our office will have an invasive species display at the County of Ventura Hall of Administration building.
Viewers will learn the dangers and damage caused by these aquatic, plant and insect species and what can be done to reduce their introduction and spread. Handouts will be available for: Arundo donax, Scotch broom, New Zealand Mudsnails, Quagga and Zebra mussels, spotted winged drosophila, Asian citrus psyllid, gold spotted oak borer and redbay ambrosia beetle.
If you will not be at the government center during these dates but are interested in the information, please contact our office and we will be happy to provide the information electronically.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Arundo (Arundo donax) is an invasive plant present in our local waterways. It can grow at a rate of four inches per day, making it one of the fastest-growing land plants in the world, and can reach heights of 30 feet tall. It reproduces and spreads when sections of the stem or root break off and float downstream.
Originally introduced by European immigrants as material for making musical instruments, it was also used for roofing materials in California in the early 1800’s. Later it was used for erosion control. Using arundo for erosion control turned out to be a bad choice as it is extremely damaging to our native ecosystems.
Arundo requires a significant amount of water to grow, reducing available water for native plants, fish, wildlife and people. In addition, clumps of arundo and the soil around their roots can break off, causing streambank erosion. Furthermore, these clumps may create channel obstructions that lead to flooding.
In addition to displacing native plants and destroying native fish and wildlife habitat, arundo is highly flammable and can quickly carry fire along waterways. After a fire, arundo quickly grows back from its roots. With other nearby plants burned by fire, arundo can spread even more quickly, leaving no room for native plants to recover.
To help reduce the spread of this plant and the destruction it causes, take the following actions:
- Learn more about arundo, including how to identify it
- Report sightings to local conservation groups
- Join local eradication efforts or help to start one
- If you own land with an arundo infestation, request help and provide access for control efforts.
Arundo is highly flammable.
Arundo can grow at a rate of four inches per day.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
A team of UC researchers have developed a method for removing invasive plants from sensitive California habitats. They found passive solar tents worked quickly to destroy the invasive plants.
In addition to being quick and effective, working on-site prevents the need to haul plant material to disposal sites. This saves money and time as well as reducing the spread of seeds and other propagative plant parts.
Researchers are working with volunteers to remove invasive plants in Southern California locations to test and demonstrate the solar tents. Additional tests are planned. Click here to learn more about this project.
Graduate student Kris Weathers (left), CE specialist and plant physiologist Milt McGiffin, and principal investigator Carl Bell examine a small mock-up of a solar tent at the experimental field area at UC Riverside.
Photo by Jim Stapleton.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
The University of California has a great publication titled, Invasive Plants and Wildfires in Southern California.
This resource discusses the impact of non-native plants in the landscape before and after wildfire. Changes in recommendations regarding reducing wildfire risk and recovery after a fire are also covered. By working together we can reduce the risks and negative impacts of wildfire.
Also included is a link to San Diego Cooperative Extension’s Wildfire Zone . This education and outreach program was created to increase awareness of wildfire risks and hazards.