[IMCWMA Partners] [IMCWMA Associates] IMCWMA Presentation Series

Tue Sep 18 14:50:38 MDT 2007

The Inland Mendocino Cooperative Weed Management Area (IMCWMA) is 
hosting a series of meetings in October and November to raise awareness 
and increase participation in invasive weed management. Each meeting 
will feature an invited speaker and conclude with a poster session 
including refreshments and opportunities to obtain more information 
about weed management from a number of experts. The series is partially 
funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and co-sponsored by 
the IMCWMA Partners, including Mendocino County Fire Safe Council, 
Mendocino County Farm Bureau, California Native Plant Society-Sanhedrin 
Chapter, the Mendocino County Department of Agriculture and Mendocino 
County Resource Conservation District.

For more information, visit us on the web at imcwma.org or call Tara 
Athan at 485-1198.

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Tuesday, October 16, 7 - 9 PM, Willits

Willits Library, 390 E Commerical

Featured Speaker: Sherry Adams, Restoration Ecologist, Audubon Canyon Ranch

*Title: California Vernal Pools and Plant Invasion*

/Abstract: Vernal Pools are seasonal wetlands, found in depressions in 
some California grasslands. While the surrounding grasslands are 
dominated by invasive grasses of European origin, vernal pools have 
historically been presumed resistant to invasion due to their unique and 
challenging hydrologic regime of complete inundation in winter followed 
by complete desiccation in summer. Recently it has become clear that 
vernal pools are not resistant to invasion, with species such as 
pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) and waxy mannagrass (Glyceria declinata) 
invading some pools. The stunning wildflower displays that typify vernal 
pools are of conservation concern because they contain many species 
which are found no where else, and because most vernal pools in the 
state have been destroyed for agriculture or development. After an 
introduction to vernal pools of the region, the invasive species which 
threaten them, and how management practices influence invasion, an 
instructive case study of vernal pool restoration in Sonmma County is 
presented. Finally, I explain the important role of informed citizens in 
vernal pool conservation./

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Wednesday, October 24, 7 - 9 PM, Ukiah

Mendocino County Department of Agriculture, 890 N Bush St.

Featured Speaker: Noelle Johnson, Circuit Rider Productions, Inc.

*Title: Giant Reed (Arundo donax) removal in the Russian River watershed.*

/Abstract: The invasive bamboo-like weed Arundo donax has spread 
throughout nearly 5,000 acres of riparian habitat throughout the Russian 
River watershed, and poses a serious threat to both landholdings and 
ecological health by contributing to bank erosion and destroying 
sensitive riparian habitats. A large-scale effort is currently underway 
to eradicate the weed from the river and its tributaries, beginning at 
the top of the watershed. Over 1,000 acres of the infestation have 
already been removed throughout Mendocino county, but landowner 
participation for all infested properties is essential for success of 
the project. This talk will describe the project and its benefits to the 
landowner, for whom participation is completely free of charge./

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Monday, October 29, 7 - 9 PM, Ukiah

Mendocino County Department of Agriculture, 890 N Bush St.

Featured Speaker: John Harper, University of California Cooperative 
Extension, Ukiah

*Title: Vines and Ovines*

/Abstract: Vineyard floor vegetation is primarily controlled by chemical 
and mechanical methods. Both methods are problematic as herbicide 
applications can potentially impair water quality and mechanical control 
(mowing and cultivation) can often be delayed by rains. The cultural 
practice of grazing sheep in vineyards to control floor vegetation has 
been used, but cannot be employed after new buds emerge in early spring. 
We present new results on a method to train sheep to have a dietary 
aversion to grape leaves by orally dosing sheep with lithium chloride 
(LiCl) following grape leaf consumption. LiCl causes a temporary illness 
and a negative association with grape leaves, allowing sheep to graze 
vineyards past budbreak. /

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Additional meetings to be held in November will feature Michael Gordon 
speaking in Laytonville on *The Mattole Restoration Council Invasive 
Plants Program-Lessons Learned from the First Four Years, *and a speaker 
to be determined in Covelo addressing *Invasive Plant Threats to 
Traditional Use Species.*

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