California Invasive Weed Awareness Week at Whiskeytown

Date: July 11, 2007
Contact: Jeremey Kelley, 530-242-3433

Invasive Weed Awareness Week July 16th through July 22nd in California urges all Californians, during that week, to participate in activities that raise awareness of both the scourge of harmful nonnative weeds and methods to prevent their pernicious spread. Visitors at the park will have the opportunity to learn about invasive plants, why they are a threat, and how Whiskeytown’s Exotic Plant Management Team is combating these noxious weeds at Whiskeytown. Educational materials will be on display at the Visitor Center and at various swim beaches around the park Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. during Invasive Weed Awareness Week.

Invasive plants are a threat to the bio-diversity of our native plant communities. They out compete native plants and take over rangelands. Invasive plants raise food production costs and require the use of more pesticides. Because they are spread by a host of human activities, knowledgeable citizens can help to reduce the spread of invasive plants. “This week is our opportunity to educate people about the importance of weed control and share our passion for preserving Whiskeytown’s native plant communities,” said weed warrior Jeremey Kelley, crew leader of the Exotic Plant Management Team at Whiskeytown.

Weed Management Areas throughout California will focus on public outreach during Weeds Awareness Week. Contact the Exotic Plant Management Team for more information at [phone]. More information on Invasive plants can also be found on the following websites: California Invasive Plant Council- www.cal-ipc.org, The Nature Conservancy- http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/, or U.S. Dept. of Agriculture- http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/