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By Ruth Marvin Webster
North County Times
July 20, 2005
CARLSBAD
---- Local decision-makers and environmentalists met Tuesday
at one of the Carlsbad Watershed Network's project sites to
award three of its 2005 Weed Warrior Awards.
Jerry Hittleman Sr., a planner for the city of Oceanside;
Preserve Calavera, a nonprofit organization based in Calavera
Lake and Agua Hedionda watershed; and John Ekoff, representing
the California Department of Fish and Game, were present to
accept certificates for their efforts in removing invasive
plants in North County's lagoons, rivers and creeks.
"I
am very honored by this award," said Hittleman, standing
in front of an invasive mustard bush, "but the effort to
remove the invasives on Loma Alta and Garrison Creeks (in
Oceanside) has been a real team effort."
"Today's a special day because this is a great
environmental cause we can all get behind," said Mo.
Lahsaie, clean water coordinator for the city of Oceanside.
"Invasive weeds are water hogs so getting rid of them
promotes public safety, native habitats and water
conservancy."
As part of California Weed Awareness Week, the Carlsbad
Watershed Network ---- a coalition of nonprofit organizations,
natural resource agencies and municipalities ---- launched a
new project to encourage residents to remove invasive weeds
from their property.
The new project called No Invasives in My Back Yard is a call
to action for residents to identify and remove invasive plants
and weeds from their property.
"We have been going door-to-door to ask for permission to
go on homeowners' property and most people are very
receptive," said Doug Gibson, executive director of the
San Elijo Conservancy and manager of the new project. "It
isn't enough to just control the invasive weeds in the natural
reserves; we have to go into people's back yards."
With $3.9 million from the state, the San Elijo Conservancy
has mapped more than 450 acres of invasive plants of the
210-square-mile water drainage area in North County.
That watershed encompasses the cities of Oceanside, Vista, San
Marcos, Escondido, Encinitas, Solana Beach and Carlsbad.
Gibson said the network has already removed almost 150 acres
of invasive plants along the Escondido, San Marcos, Agua
Hedionda, Buena Vista and Loma Alta Creeks, but that is only
the tip of the ice plant (so to speak). Advocates are quick to
add there is still much to do.
"Now we're looking to find more funds because within
three years, (the invasive weeds) will all come back if we
don't maintain it," he said.
According to the Carlsbad Watershed Network, San Diego County
spends an estimated $10 million each year to remove these
unwanted plants, which choke the local creeks, displace
natural habitat and create a massive accumulation of plant
material that in turn increases the risk of floods and
wildfire.
To help identify and clear invasive plants from back yards,
residents are encouraged to visit the Network's Web site at
www.carlsbadwatershednetwork.org or call (760) 427-2665.
"Public awareness of this problem is so important,"
said Meryl O'Neill, Outreach Coordinator for Carlsbad
Watershed Network. "The key is to get everybody
involved."
The project's launch continues at 10 a.m. today at the
Escondido Creek Watershed at the Elfin Forest Preserve on
Harmony Grove Road. Three more 2005 Weed Warrior Awards will
be presented to the city of Vista, Brad Roth of Cottonwood
Creek Conservancy and Bradley Rubottom for his work in the
Calavera Nature Preserve.
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