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