Ivy, Ivy, Everywhere...
Brian Russell
Portland (and the rest of the country) is being overrun by invasive species, such as English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, Japanese knotweed and others. They are pervasive. Blackberries vines reach across the shoulders of roads and into bike lanes. Ivy climbs large, mature trees, slowly pulling them to the ground, possibly across roadways or onto homes. Some of these plants can be seen clogging creeks and streams in our watersheds, contributing to erosion with their weak, shallow root systems and dramatically reducing native plants and associated healthy habitats.
Volunteer groups, like No Ivy League and Friends groups, work tirelessly by organizing weekend weed-pulling groups and educating the public. City and State transportation agencies attack the weeds on a project by project basis. Portland Parks is approaching the problem through Integrated Pest Management programs, including some herbicide application. The Bureau of Environmental Services takes a holistic path by tackling invasive species as a part of their watershed management.
BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH. WE'RE LOSING THE BATTLE!
We need your help! Please join us Monday, November 7, from 3-5pm for Sam’s Invasive Species Town hall at the Oregon Zoo, Cascade Room. We want to hear your creative ideas on how to manage this growing problem using the resources we currently have available. Where are the problem areas? What are the invasive species issues in your neighborhood? What do you think that we could be doing that we are not doing already? The more possibilities we have, the more chances for success too!
Posted by Brian Russell on September 26, 2005
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Filed Under Environmental Services, Events, Front Page, Livability & Environment
Comments by site visitors
Commissioner Adams~ I have been observing Portlands Transportation Sites for more than 6 years, observing noxious weeds in these sites. I am now completing my master's degree in organizational communication, and was able to select a topic of interest for my thesis, which is "The Movement of Noxious Weeds Along Transportation Systems"~Defining the environmentally ethical reponsibility to manage noxious weeds and consumption of critical habitat. I have gained many insights and am encourage by action such as the invasive species town hall on Nov. 7- Way to go Mr. Adams!
Marina Miller
Posted by: Marina Miler | Oct 19, 2005 3:48:16 PM
Marina,
Any insights you could give us would be great. I look forward to seeing you at the Town Hall.
Sam
Posted by: Sam Adams | Oct 19, 2005 5:30:55 PM
Sam,FYI, I came across a new USDA-sponsored Web site for the National Invasive Species Council. Here's the link: http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/
I suggest this site be added to the resorce list being produced for the Town Hall on invasive species you are organizing for November 7.
It's great that you are hosting this. I plan on attending. See you then.
The site's home page reads:
"Welcome to Invasivespeciesinfo.gov!
The site was first launched in 2000 in response to Executive Order 13112. A major change is planned to enhance navigation and content organization, the first phase will be ready before the end of the year.
Among the changes is the launch of a new Web site managed by the National Agricultural Library -- invasivespeciesinfo.gov. This Web site will serve as the official reference gateway to information, programs, organizations, and services about invasive species. In November, Invasivespecies.gov will become the official Web site for the National Invasive Species Council.
On Invasivespeciesinfo.gov you can learn about the impacts of invasive species and the Federal government's response, as well as read select species profiles and find links to agencies and organizations dealing with invasive species issues."
Posted by: Jay Mower | Oct 21, 2005 12:08:44 AM
Brian keep in mind that if you choose to rermove ivy or blackberries from you own property you could be fined up to 18,000 dollars, yes eighteen thousand dallors. by the city of portland like my neighboor has been for not getting a permit to do so on her own property! Not many property owners know that in 2001 the city expanded the setbacks (from 25ft to 100 ft) without noticefying property owners! so BE WARE THE IVY POLICE ARE WATCHING!
Posted by: Dean | Oct 27, 2005 10:38:47 PM
Measure 37
MR Adams The courts said that M-37 Violated the 14th Amenendment to the United states Constitution because M-37 did not provide sufficient procedural due process protections to property owners who neighbor M-37 properties.The court held that neighbors have substantantial interest in protecting their property from negative affests!DUH! Where was this judge when my property was devalued!
Posted by: Dean | Oct 27, 2005 10:56:35 PM
Sam,
you have some expects close at hand at the BES Re-veg project. They have recently removed blackberries and ivy along Mock's Crest, reducing fire danger and protecting the unique Oak/Madrone habitat.
Posted by: Lenny Anderson | Oct 28, 2005 11:48:38 AM
Do public service announcements on TV, exposure through Oregon Field Guide on OPB, OPB radio, the Oregonian and others to draw attention to the problem.
Encourage each individual to tacle ivy and other invasives in their yards and neighborhoods and teach them what they look like, why they are destrictive and how to effectively remove them without chemicals or with minimal chemicals.
Encourage people to join No Ivy, Friends of and SOLV to work in groups on the problem.
Posted by: Jan | Nov 2, 2005 1:38:21 PM
Brian~ I believe invasive species are exempted from the permitting process. The City of Portland,either BES or PP&R has a catalog, The Portland Plant List of suggested plants. At the back of the book lists nuisance plants that do not require prior approval before removing. Many of the Oregon State listed noxious weeds do appear on this list.
Posted by: Marina | Nov 2, 2005 3:40:49 PM
Jan~ Great input on ways to get the work out! Also how about bill boards with example of how invasive clematis, also known as Old Man's beard, covers the canopy of entire woodlands. Yes, here in Portland. Look at the hillsides, it is very apparent. Conifers cannot recover from being smuthered by dense mats of clematis vines. What's more is that by agencies not managing noxoius weeds on properties, actually can result and contribute to the consumption of endangered species habitat which is in violation of the very laws that were intended to protect these valuable resources. (Much of my thesis is on this fact alone)! Marina
Posted by: Marina | Nov 2, 2005 3:48:36 PM
Sam and Everyone:
I would like to but cannot make the Monday meeting this week so I'm posting a rather long post here.
I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts and would like to speak to the neighbor hood issue. As a garden coach, ex-plant pusher and neighborhood activist I have been looking at this problem in my own neighborhood for a some time. I have found several challenges not only in educating but getting folks to act on that knowlege.
Here are some of my thoughts and observations.
Educating folks is indeed the first step and I think billboards, public service announcements and such are all fine ideas but, my concern is not only the education but the activation and accountability of these folks once they become educated. In other words I don't think education, no matter how good it is will ever be enough as fighting invasive species will probably be an ongoing problem.
Some of the challenges my neighbors have to offer us on this issue are:
1) Landlords/property owners, private and commercial, who do little or nothing to manage or contain noxious/quarantined species on there properties.
2) The educated gardeners who continue to allow noxious species to grow unchecked excusing them as habitat for birds/wildlife with no regard to the real cost.
3) Those who lovingly prune the English Ivy into mushroom-like trees and hedges over fences all of which flower and fruit prolifically. They often love these things and would rather nearly die than be without them...really!
4) Those who cannot remove anything that looks like a tree for fear they may be judged eternally. (Chinese tree of heaven is become a major weed in my neighborhood)
5) Burgeoning immigrant groups who place little value on ecological causes or needs. I am not speaking against our immigrant populations but rather speaking to the fact that I recognize they are a large and growing group that could pose a real negative impact do to their differing values and ideals. They often do not even have any idea that the environment is something they need to care about.
6) Folks who just plain are not even aware of their own front yards sometimes or plants in general.
7) Children (bless them)...probably the easiest group to influence and one of the best groups to get to help motivate others and to institute change over time and across all boundaries.
8) Money & manpower. This is a lowerer middle income to poor neighborhood without the resources for major overhauls on landscapes.
People will need to feel the weight of their own responsibility with an understanding that they are the largest part of the solution before we will see major change.
So once folks are educated what's next. Education without a plan of community action is not going to be enough. Few people become pro-active without ongoing encouragement and follow-up by those who are in charge. Also if they don't see a personal benefit worth striving for they will ignore it unless somehow a cost is levied if the problem is ignored.
That said, it is my thought that we need to consider:
1) After education should we begin to hold accountable those neglect to iradicate these plants on their properties or manage them so they do not spread elsewhere? If so at what level?
2) What will this accountability for non-action look like? What will the encouragement for action look like?
3)Who will offer oversite and how?
4) How do we offer help to those needing it?
(5 Is it possible to offer homeowners/businesses who spend time and money to iradicate invasive plants from their properties incentives or even add incentives for those who help others in this process? (There really should be some acknowlegement of their efforts.)
I've often felt there should be regular and updated information sent out to residents and landowners to alert them to these species(Included would be department contact info, sources for more information or help on removal if needed and really good photos/line drawings with recommended removal instructions.)
A big reality is that until my neighbors are convinced that the alternatives we come up with are really necessary they will continue to ignore the problem. We have to offer realistic and attractive solution and I obviously feel their is a need for consequences in some cases of neglect. The solution has to look better than what they are living with now, what they will face if they do nothing, and the necessary work worthwhile payment for the eventual outcome.
Some questions I've been asking myself is how can we communicate this to them? How do we say it in a meaningful way? How do we convince them that Himalayan Blackberries pose more threat than treat for humans and wildlife when they are people who are using them as a food source and backyard habitat? What does it really benefit them if I offer no better solution? How can we change their idea of what is OK, beautiful and easy to care for. How do we communicate that it really is worth doing NOW and why?
I'm a community gal and would love to see little or big community work parties in every neighborhood and park across the city, much like the SOLV beach clean-up days. These should be old fashioned neighbor, helping neighbor days.
Posted by: Patty Hicks | Nov 5, 2005 1:23:00 PM
Invasive species control measures do begin in our own backyard, our neighborhoods, communities, cities, and extend globally. However, education on the devastating effects that noxious weeds cause on ecosystems is and will be an ongoing endeavor, along with responsible stewardship. A monumental obstacle to overcome is the perception that 'Green is Good', alien species plants are a green pollutant. The best that may be achieved is containment of species from being transported into protected reserves and habitat. There is no easy or immediate solution.
Posted by: Marina | Nov 6, 2005 7:56:20 PM
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Goats. Lots of 'em. They'll eat all that stuff.
Posted by: Dave Lister | Sep 28, 2005 1:22:54 PM