Neat!
Bugs!
The kids enjoyed the hike and were very interested to learn new things
about plants and insects.
Biologist Dan Boone helped collect and identify insects.
The kid's favorite insect was a
caterpillar
that attacks leafy spurge.
They were able to collect some insects to take home for their own weed
control efforts.
Botanist Jennie Birdsall led the hike for 10 local residents interested
in weed control.
Many of the weeds common to this area were located and a variety of
control methods were discussed,
including:
biological controls
(insects),
spraying,
pulling,
mowing and cultivating.
Property owner hosts Gary and Pauline Sager have applied some of these
techniques over the past 4 to 5 years,
so it was possible to see some of the impact they have had.
Jennie's experience includes over 15 years of field experience
researching weed control for the Forest Service,
and she was able to provide a long-term perspective on weed control.
