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Napa RCD has spent the last 3 years working on building partnerships, interest, and capacity in the world of Napa county invasive weed management.
With funding from the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Napa County Ag Commissioner's Office, we have been working with the Napa County Flood Control District, City of Napa Parks and Rec, City of American Canyon Parks and Rec, and the Napa Land Trust to coordinate volunteer events and uplift partner events to accomplish this important work.
But why do we do it??
Invasive plants are those that have been brought to the area from parts of the world with a similar climate to what we have here in Napa- a Mediterranean climate. This means they are good at taking advantage of what water our winters have to offer, and when that water is available they REALLY take advantage of it. So much so, that they often outcompete our native plants for the limited resource. These plants grow fast, crowding and shading out some of the smaller, slower-growing plants that have evolved to thrive here over thousands of years.
Once these invasive plants are removed, the native plant seed bank in the soil has the chance to breathe and take advantage of resources. With repeated visits to the same spots, our native plants will eventually become well-established and will be able to once again thrive.
Right now, our main focus is on a few key species: French broom, Himalayan blackberry, oblong-leaf spurge, English ivy, and yellow star thistle. There are many different invasive plants that affect the lands managed by our partners, but those are some of the biggest ones, and the ones volunteers are able to have a direct impact on.
What's been happening in Napa County?
Invasive plant removal projects have been happening for decades here in Napa. The Flood Control District has worked very hard to get rid of the majority of the Arundo along the mainstem of the Napa River, and the Land Trust has worked for over a decade to remove invasive plants like French broom from their preserves. The City of Napa Parks and Rec has also recently launched a fun project working on English Ivy along the Napa River Trail.
Over the past three years, we've all been working together to help advertise each others' volunteer and educational opportunities, share tools and expertise, and build a reliable volunteer base.
So far, we've worked with over 150 amazing volunteers at a number of parks and open spaces throughout the County, including Westwood Hills Park, Newell Open Space Preserve, The Cove, and along the Napa River floodplain right in downtown Napa.
How can you get involved?
We're so glad you asked! We've got an event coming up this Saturday in Napa, Sunday in Angwin with Napa Land Trust, and next Saturday with the City of Napa at Westwood Hills Park.
For more information about upcoming volunteer opportunities, please contact Ashley@NapaRCD.org
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