Summer Invasives Projects

This past month, teams of ForestWatch volunteers have been busy tackling invasives across the Santa Barbara Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest. They scouted the far West Camino Cielo along the crest of the Santa Ynez Mountains, and also worked the Big Pine-Buckhorn Road near the historic Bluff Station — high in the Santa Barbara backcountry — on a mission to eradicate yellow star thistle.

Buckhorn YST (2)

080714 W Camino YST (2)

Yellow star thistle is a particularly tenacious noxious weed, and thrives along dirt roads and other ares of disturbed soils. It can out-compete native desirable vegetation and develop impenetrable stands.

Buckhorn YST (5)

080714 W Camino YST (4)

Buckhorn YST (4)

Thanks to our volunteers for all their hard work, and to UCSB’s Coastal Fund for supporting Los Padres ForestWatch’s 2014 volunteer projects.

Since 2007, ForestWatch volunteers have worked nearly every corner of the Los Padres National Forest, protecting watersheds and wildlife. For more information about ForestWatch’s volunteer projects or to get involved, visit LPFW.org/volunteer.

 

 

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