I initially began working at Whiseytown National Recreation Area (WHIS) as a Biological Science Technician, mapping and treating non-native invasive plants. Having only one prior year of invasive plant management, WHIS desperately needed some intensive inventorying and mapping of their weeds. Here began my education in GPS and GIS technologies.
NPS Weeds Crew 2004
Spot spraying invasive sprouts within the burned area
Working a Weed Wrench to it’s max!
California Conservation Corps members, proud of their hard work
Chainsaws were necessary to remove invasive locust trees near a riparian area
Student Conservation Association crew, enjoying their six-week adventure removing invasive plants at Whiskeytown
The brutal work of meticulously pulling and bagging yellow starthistle—a job only for isolated areas, such as here within the park headquarters
The brutal work of meticulously pulling and bagging yellow starthistle—a job only for isolated areas, such as here within the park headquarters
The brutal work of meticulously pulling and bagging yellow starthistle—a job only for isolated areas, such as here within the park headquarters
A small meadow being encroched by Tree of Heaven and Scotch broom
Opened up for the natives
A meadow leading to the upper watershed trails, being encroched by Tree of Heaven and Himalaya blackberry. This was after the first biomass removal treatment
Opened up for the native forbes
The CCC crew got started before I could snap a picture…
Here they have cleared the area that had been infested by broom for likely two decades
Roadside blackberries were easy to clear
Ready for some native grass seeds and maybe a few plant transplant from nearby
Common mullein spreading after a wildfire
After mullein was removed
Dense Himalaya blackberries choke the understory of this creek-side forest
After one treatment
After multiple treatments
