Education to boost tamarisk removal along the river

MONTROSE — As invasive species removal continues on the Gunnison River, work is also under way to inform the public.

Educational efforts, involving events and signage, aim to teach the public about the detriment of noxious weeds on the riparian (riverside) and upland habitats, said Lynae Rogers, rangeland management specialist/weed coordinator. Tamarisk and other invasive species negatively affect native ecosystems, threatened and endangered species and water resources, she said.

This educational component is part of a recently awarded 5 Star Grant that supports continued eradication.

The project will take out invasive plants and restore native species to enhance the riverside habitat along 23 miles of the Gunnison River within the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, according to the Uncompahgre Plateau Project. The target species are tamarisk, Russian knapweed and whitetop.

As part of the project, Rogers said the invasive plant, Russian Olive, will be treated below Pleasure Park. In addition, riparian planting and seeding of cottonwoods and willows will take place.

Volunteers, together with groups including the Bureau of Land Management and Delta County have been working on noxious weed removal for several years.

Rogers said it’s important to keep the public informed about the current and past eradication efforts on public lands.

Roughly three to four river miles of tamarisk and other noxious weeds within the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area have been treated, said Rogers. This removal cleared areas for native vegetation to take hold, and also helped reduce the soil erosion and deposition caused by invasive vegetation.

Volunteers are always needed to help with eradication efforts, Rogers said. For further information, call (970) 240-5300.