CSU, Chico News

The California State University, Chico Research Foundation has received approximately $150,000 in grant funding in support of a three-year Arundo donax eradication project in Lindo Channel, through a grant from the California Bay-Delta Authority and in partnership with Team Arundo del Norte. The director is Kristin Cooper-Carter, environmental projects director, College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management, and the project manager is Susan Mason.

Arundo donax, or Giant Reed, is an invasive plant species that threatens California’s riparian ecosystems by competing with native species for water. It grows rapidly to a height of 30′, creating monocultural stands that are flammable. The plant is spread by underground rhizomes and from clumps of arundo being transported downstream during high water events. The original source of the Arundo in Lindo Channel is from Big Chico Creek near the Bidwell Park Golf Course. The Chico Park Division is in the process of eradicating these upstream Arundo populations.

Arundo is originally from India. In acient times, it was transplanted to the Mediterranean region, and later to the Americas. Today, it is an invasive pest throughout the warmer coastal freshwaters of the United States, from Maryland to Northern California. Arundo came to Southern California with early Spanish settlers. It now occurs in most regions of California below approximately 1,000 feet.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service encouraged land managers to plant it as a bank stablilizer in the 1950s. Since that time, it has become uncontrollable in our watersheds. Team Arundo del Norte is a partnership that is dedicated to the reduction and eventual elimination of giant reed in central and northern California.

The City of Chico and the Big Chico Creek Watershed Alliance are co-sponsors of this invasive plant removal effort. The Research Foundation is one of 10 partners in high-priority watersheds who are participating in the Northern California Arundo Eradication and Coordination Program.

Private landowners in the Lindo Channel area whose properties contain Arundo can have this invasive non-native treated at no cost. Informational meetings for Lindo Channel neighbors will be held in the next few months to explain the project, treatment methods and planned re-vegetation. Channel residents and property owners will be notified of these dates through mailings and public notices.

For questions about the program, please contact Kristin Cooper Carter at 530-893-5751 or kcooper-carter@csuchico.edu.

Photo: Steve Green surveys Arundo donax patch in Lindo Channel near Nord Ave., on Sunday, November 27.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 29th, 2005 at 8:30 am and is filed under 2005 Fall.