Mobilizing to attack knapweed at Suttle Lake

Noxious plants are a threat to our ecosystem. They take away resources from native plants and destroy wildlife, says Karly Hedrick, Sisters Volunteer Bank coordinator.

The Camp Sherman Weed Warriors will attack noxious weeds every week during the weed-pulling season. This Saturday they will be joining other volunteers at Suttle Lake to once again attack spotted knapweed.

The National Forest Foundation, Sisters Ranger District, the Metolius Basin Weed Coalition, and Let's Pull Together are all partnering in this effort to eradicate weeds in the Sisters Country. Columbia Sportswear and REI are additional sponsors of the event.

Local groups like the Friends of the Metolius (FOM) also focus on weed eradication. Board member Pete Schay has secured a second grant for noxious weed abatement. Their first grant in 2008 focused on the yellow flag iris. Their plan is to treat 2,500 acres in Jefferson County, owned by seven different property owners. For the Weed Warriors it will be just another day attacking weeds.

"We have already started spraying and treating around the Blue Lake area," Schay said, "and next week we plan to do more."

FOM is using Forest Service methodology, sharing data by documenting their work for the Forest Service's botanical surveys.

Cheryl Howard, founder of Let's Pull Together, now a national weed eradication program, started eight years ago with a simple goal of cleaning up her own yard, and then realizing that the cleanup needed to expand to her entire neighborhood.

"I had a plant in my yard," Howard said, "and I couldn't identify it. I was told it was a noxious weed, and I didn't even know what noxious meant."

Her journey of discovery about the nature of weeds, how they are spread, and how to get rid of them, led her to start local groups which expanded from being countywide to statewide, and are now national.

"While we're pulling weeds here in Central Oregon, people in Ashland/Medford, and across the country, will be doing the same thing," she said.

Seeds are spread in numerous ways, but most common is through tires.

"A biker will ride through thistle, for example and spread it to the surrounding forest," explained Howard. "Seeds also cling to pet fur. Fishermen, if they don't know how to clean their gear, will spread it to other areas."

Deschutes County now has a volunteer Weed-Free Forage Program. Feed sources can be found by doing an Internet search on Deschutes County Weed Free Forage. Dan Sherwin, at 541-322-7135, is weed manager.

"You don't want horses to bring back noxious weeds to your ranch," Howard said. "It's also important to feed your horses weed-free forage so they aren't spreading weeds."

Maret Pajutee of Sisters Ranger District will be at the weed pull and talk about "An Ecological Moment."

Volunteers should sign up at http://www.nationalforests.org/volunteer and will then be notified of where to meet at Suttle Lake. After a morning of pulling weeds volunteers will enjoy a barbecue and some prizes.