Volunteer Aquatic Weed Pulls!

Volunteer Aquatic Weed Pulls!

RSVP for “Paddle & Pull” events this summer!

Come have fun and get out on the water this summer! Lend a helping hand to the watershed while learning about invasive water primrose-willow (ludwigia) and how to control it. For the past four years, LTWC has received funding or in-kind support from the Oregon State Weed Board, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, City of Eugene, and dozens of volunteers to control invasive populations of ludwigia.

Ludwigia has an extremely aggressive growth pattern. In just a couple of years, it can take over slower-moving bodies of water, forming dense mats that may span the entire water body and form a thick fringe of vegetation at the water’s edge. It can alter flow, impair aquatic habitat, reduce available oxygen in the water, interfere with navigation, recreation, and water withdrawal, and pose threats to water delivery and flood conveyance. Ludwigia populations in and around Eugene and the Long Tom Watershed are the oldest and furthest upstream populations of the plant in the Willamette system. This makes them source populations that lead to the spread of ludwigia to downstream areas. For these reasons, control of source populations in our watershed are currently considered among the top priorities for invasive species management in the entire Willamette River Basin. Volunteer and landowner engagement are critical to the sustained success of these community efforts! Join us for one or both of these canoe-based volunteer events

Wednesday, July 17, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Join LTWC and our partners at McKenzie River Trust for this “Watershed Wednesday” ludwigia pull at Clear Lake, just west of the airport off Clear Lake Road. A limited number of canoes are available, so pre-registration is required. To sign up, fill out the quick form at https://www.mckenzieriver.org/events/list/watershed-wednesdays-ludwigia-pull-at-clear-lake-eugene/. We’ll be in touch with all who register with information on where to meet.

Saturday, August 3, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

If weekends fit your schedule better, join us on Saturday, Aug 3 at Monroe City Park for a ludwigia pull on the lower Long Tom River! Pre-registration is required. To reserve your space, please contact Amanda: Amanda@longtom.org, 541-338-7060.

 

Schedule for both days:

09:00:  Welcome, sign-in, background information, instructions

09:30: Put in the water!

12:00: Start getting boats out, clean up, snacks

 

Equipment, gloves, snacks, and training will be provided.