Did you know that invasive and noxious weeds cost California agriculture millions of dollars for lost revenue, maintenance and eradication?
Did you know that arundo donax is a multimillion-dollar problem for Ventura County individuals, companies, landowners and governments?
Did you know that invasive weeds contribute greatly to local water shortages and environmental problems?
It may seem unimportant in these hard economic times, but the control and eradication of invasive and noxious weeds is critical to both our water supply and a healthy environment. This issue must be an integral part of long-term planning for our community and quality-of-life priorities.
Established in 2005, the Ventura County Weed Management Area is the responsibility of a group of individuals; federal, state and county public agencies; special districts; cities; environmental coalitions; agricultural concerns and others.
The group initiates, coordinates and promotes activities to prevent, control and eradicate invasive and noxious weeds in Ventura County.
The Ventura County Resource Conservation District is the group’s lead agency, with funding for administration provided by the state Department of Food and Agriculture.
The group’s focus is on preventing the introduction of new species, reducing areas under infestation, promoting Integrated Weed Management techniques, eradicating certain species where possible, and educating local agencies and the public about the problems associated with invasive and noxious weeds.
As defined by Section 5004 of the California Food and Agriculture Code, “noxious weed” means a species of plant that is or is liable to be troublesome, aggressive, intrusive, detrimental or destructive to agriculture or important native species, and difficult to control or eradicate.
Other species of plants considered by conservationists to be invasive and noxious in a given area might not be legally defined as such because they have not been listed at the state level. These plants are often available for retail purchase at nurseries and other outlets.
Getting a plant listed as noxious is a vital step in the fight against its spread.
Invasive weeds are often found throughout a defined watershed, regardless of political or property boundaries. They spread through seed carried by birds or other animals. Their range of infestation is as large as the territory of the animals that carry the seeds.
Many noxious plants were intentionally introduced for erosion control, ornamental decoration, as construction materials or animal fodder, or were accid entally introduced as a contaminant in crop seed or other imported item.
As is often the case with non-native species, the effect on an ecosystem may not be considered or sufficiently understood to keep disaster from happening.
What can you do?
- Learn about invasive and non-native plants and their effect on the environment.
- Find California-native, water-friendly plants and make them part of your landscape.
- Get involved with local conservation organizations and volunteer to help.
— Marty Melvin is district manager of the Ventura County Resource Conservation District and can be reached at email@example.com or 386-4489, ext. 108. Representatives of government or nonprofit agencies who want to submit articles on environmental topics for this column should contact David Goldstein at 658-4312 or firstname.lastname@example.org.
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