Tipping Point

After five years of drought, the rains of 2016-2017 were welcome. However, along with native vegetation, millions of invasive weed seeds were waiting to sprout. Thistles, wild radishes, broom and other invasive weeds cover Cambria's landscape.

Individuals can help by removing weeds from their property. How to tell the difference between native plants and Invasive? This Guide can help. Greenspace -- The Cambria Land Trust held a native Plant Workshop to help vegetation workers tell the difference between native plants and invasive weeds. Workers are certified, and listed at the Fire Department. Call for a recommendation for a contractor to help clear weeds off your property.

Cal Fire and the Fire Department are working to reduce weeds. They have a special interest because invasive weeds are often more flammable than native plants, which are adapted to the landscape and climate here. They also grow tall enough to become ladder fuel, carrying fire from the ground up to the trees. Grant funding paid to remove broom from Bridge Street, and clear the fire break that had been overgrown with broom and other weeds at Covell Ranch.

Will 2017 turn out to be the Tipping Point, the year native plants lost the battle against invasive plants? Each of us can help save native habitat by pulling weeds.

Every thistle I pull, I think, That's one million fewer seeds in the wind.

Posted on May 23, 2017 07:17 PM by christine70