FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE

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By Bob Hess

The Invasive Weed Eradication Group, composed of members of the Friends of Edgewood, has as its objective to control the non-native plants that are invading the Preserve. The Invasive Weed Eradication Group is removing non-native plants such as Teasel and Broom, etc. In non-serpentine areas these plants are invading the Preserve by pushing out the natives and destroying their habitats. The non-natives do not have any natural enemies, since they come from other continents. The removal program does not use any poisons, and depends entirely on physical chopping, cutting, and pulling. Beginning in 1989, the Group has succeeded in eliminating most of the thousands of Teasel plants that had invaded the area. Now the Group is starting to remove Broom, Star and other species of Thistle, Olive trees, Pyracantha, and Cotoneaster. By removing the exotic plants, the natives can move back naturally or by revegetation, thus restoring the Preserve to its pre-European condition. The Group plans to continue its work until all invasive plants can be controlled, and then monitor the Preserve to maintain its natural state.

Since 1989 the Group has met every Friday morning and worked with mattocks, shovels, clippers, pruners, and saws to remove the exotic plants. The activity will continue until the invasion of the non-native plants is under control. Fifty-eight people have volunteered 1,418 hours over the past 5½ years. Those who were active and dedicated over the last three years are John Allen, Elly Hess, Jane Kos, Alice Musante, Betsy Wallace, and Bob Young.

The Eradication Group receives support from the Friends of Edgewood Natural Preserve, the Sierra Club, the California Native Plant Society, the Trail Center, and the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Department. This support includes lending tools, picking up refuse resulting from weed elimination, and counseling. No funding is required as most of the group furnish their own tools and heavy-duty clothing.

If you can help with removing Star Thistle and other exotic weeds, call Elly Hess. We can set up special days for work parties. We need a lot of people to get rid of the Star Thistle.

Send mail to wm at this domain with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 1999 - 2008 Friends of Edgewood Natural Preserve. Last modified: January 20, 2008.