Harmful weeds taking root

Sept. 9, 2005

JOEL DAVIDSON\Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - Invasive weeds continue creeping across the Mat-Su, and as they do, weed management officials increasingly worry about the long-term impact on native plant and wildlife habitats.

Most of these weeds were introduced to Alaska intentionally and are concentrated along roads, footpaths, gravel areas and other disturbed lands. Steve Lillard is the Invasive Plants Program coordinator for the Mat-Su Cooperative Weed Management Area, one of five weed management areas established across the state since 2004.

Lillard said many of the weeds were initially introduced to the state for landscape and erosion control. The state Department of Transportation used several invasive weeds, including purple vetch and white sweetclover, to landscape roadsides. Lillard is uncertain whether that is still the case.

Tufted vetch climbs over and can smother native vegetation, Lillard explained. White sweetclover, he said, can disrupt ecosystems to the point that even the hearty willow tree won't grow.

"If you can stop willows from growing, then you know you have a serious problem," he said.

These plants are now spreading along river beds and into forests and fields, where they often squeeze out native vegetation. Weeds can spread when seeds attach to shoe soles or tires. This summer, weed management officials and volunteers attempted to eradicate an outbreak of orange hawkweed at the Talkeetna Airport, where seeds could potentially spread across the state via airplane tires.

In an effort to raise community awareness, the Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District will host a free Weeds Awareness Workshop on Tuesday at Mat-Su College. The workshop features talks by regional weed management specialists, group discussions on management techniques and tours of local infestations.

The workshop will focus on how the weeds were initially established and their effects on native ecosystems and watersheds. Presentations will run from 9 a.m. to noon.

All of these events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact event coordinator Lillard at 745-1441.

Contact Joel Davidson at

352-2266, or joel.davidson@ frontiersman.com.