Some of them may be pretty, but they’re pretty much uninvited guests on the
Mountain.

Another assault on invasive species is at hand with a workshop that will help
local residents to recognize these pesky plants.

The invasive plant identification workshop is free and is set for 6:30 to 8:30
p.m., June 14, at the Zigzag Ranger Station, cosponsored by the Sandy River
Basin Watershed Council and the Mt. Hood National Forest.

“Although some invasive plants are attractive and still available from
nurseries, they can become a real nuisance if they escape your garden,” said
Russ Plaeger, land stewardship coordinator for the Watershed Council. “Yellow
archangel is certainly one to avoid. There are reports of it outcompeting
English ivy, which says something about this plant.”

At the workshop residents will learn how to recognize invasive plants that are
of local concern and provide methods to report sightings to stop the spread of
these plants.

Tips will also be shared on how to control these invaders. Volunteers can
adopt a trail or area and monitor it during the year.

“There was a time many years ago when Himalayan blackberry and Scotch
broom were new to this area,” Plaeger said. “Over time they spread to the
point where now they are a widespread headache for many local residents.
We are working to reduce the chances that some of the new invasive plants
will become as bad a problem as blackberries or English ivy.”

David Lebo, botanist for the National Forest, added his concern about the
introduction of new invasive plants such as yellow archangel and garlic
mustard that are able to spread aggressively and thrive on shady, forested
sites.

“Local agencies have developed a list of 16 plants that are of particular
concern,” Lebo said. “While most of them prefer sites in the valleys, orange
hawkweed is a highly invasive non-native plant that invades forest and alpine
meadows where it displaces and can exclude native plants from an area.
This can adversely impact animals that depend on meadow plants for food and
habitat.”

Free plant ID booklets, photos, and some live specimens will be provided at
the workshop.

Please preregister for the workshop so that the hosts can plan the quantity of
materials needed.

To register call 503-668-1646 or coordinator@sandyriver.org.