April 30, 2019
Sharing our Knowledge and Practices
By Paul Staker, McDowell Conservancy Master Steward
Republished from McDowell Sonoran Conservancy Mountain Lines newsletter
Bufflegrass. Photograph by Steve Jones.
One of the major strategic initiatives of the Parsons Field Institute at McDowell Sonoran Conservancy involves developing and implementing a plan aimed at the removal of invasive, nonnative plants, particularly fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) and buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare), in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Actions include mapping their distribution in the Preserve, executing experiments to determine best removal techniques, and actual removals. So far, we have mapped approximately 30 percent of the acreage in the Preserve to pinpoint locations of the grasses, and we continue with this effort. In 2018, we began field studies aimed at determining the relative efficiency, effectiveness, cost, and impact to the native plant community of various treatments for eliminating these grasses. Finally, we initiated a removal and follow-up monitoring effort to begin the process of eliminating some of the grass populations. Conservancy stewards from the Citizen Science and Construction and Maintenance programs have been key contributors to these research and management activities.
Another key strategic focus of the Conservancy is to spread our knowledge to help land management agencies and other conservation focused nonprofit organizations in the region. Using the expertise we acquired in our work with the nonnative grasses in the Preserve, the Parsons Field Institute recently secured a two-year grant from the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (ADFFM) to work with two neighboring organizations. These are McDowell Mountain Regional Park and Friends of Tonto National Forest. The Central Arizona Conservation Alliance (CAZCA) also contributed to this work as part of the initial implementation of the Regional Open Space Strategy (ROSS) for Maricopa County. The Parsons Field Institute has been a significant participant in CAZCA as a member of the steering committee and lead for the group that developed the invasive species management section. The ROSS1 is a first iteration road map and action agenda for regional open space conservation.
A sea of fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) fills the Preserve’s Quartz Wash crowding out native desert plants. Photograph by Steve Jones.
This effort will build on our capabilities in both scientific management and in the utilization of volunteers. Regional Park management is interested in mobilizing volunteers to expand the amount of work beyond what can be accomplished by their paid staff. Thus, the Parsons Field Institute has begun to share our model for mobilizing and training volunteers as well as the protocols to identify, map, remove, and monitor invasive plants. Training will include a leadership workshop, plant identification and mapping classes, and field training during actual mapping and removal projects.
An integrated approach of removal practices appropriate for the species and season will be used, including pulling, cutting and herbicide treatment, and herbicide only treatment. All populations will be mapped using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, and each site will be visited annually to monitor and perform follow-up treatment.
Another component of the ADFFM grant will be to work with the Scottsdale Community College Center for Native and Urban Wildlife (CNUW) to develop outreach materials to educate Preserve users and local homeowner associations about the problems associated with nonnative grasses. In addition, a program is being developed to encourage these groups to replace fountain grass plants in landscaping with native plants grown for this purpose at the Community College.
Together with our partners, we hope to be able to effectively control these harmful invasive species throughout the region. We believe that this pilot initiative will lead to even greater opportunities to expand the impact of our work by partnering with other similar organizations in the region through CAZCA. If you are interested in helping with any of these efforts, please let us know! Contact Paul Staker at paul@mcdowellsonoran.org.
For Additional Information read “Protecting Native Plant Biodiversity Isn’t Easy,” “Your ornamental fountain grass is a wildlife danger” or visit the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy website.
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