The Joshua Tree National Park vegetation crew is seeking volunteers for one more session to help with the control of the invasive Sahara mustard plant. Reporter Dan Stork says weed pullers are needed tomorrow…
The non-native weed Sahara mustard is invading Joshua Tree National Park and surrounding communities. It has the potential to do lasting harm to the native desert ecosystem. This rapidly spreading annual mustard is most successfully controlled by manually pulling plants before they are able to spread seeds across the desert landscape, crowding out native Mojave Desert annuals and creating increased fuel loads and fire danger in local vegetation.
Eradication efforts will be concentrated in the Pinto Basin area of Joshua Tree National Park. If you see Sahara mustard on your property, please remove the entire plant including root, blossoms and seeds.
Meet up at 8:00 a.m., Saturday, April 11, at the Visitor Center, 74485 National Park Drive Twentynine Palms. This weed pull event will last until about 1:00 p.m. Bring water, snacks, hats, and sunscreen. Tools and gloves will be provided.
You can learn more about the Sahara mustard plant by going to the Morongo Basin Conservation Association website at a link in this story at z1077fm.com: http://www.mbconservation.org/invasive_plants2 For more information about the park’s weed control program contact Mason Price at 760-367-5575 or via e-mail at: [email protected]
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK NEEDS WEED PULLERS TOMORROW
