Trail Manners: Five Easy Ways to Help Manage Non-Native Invasive Plants
After a hike have you ever noticed seeds or burrs clinging to your socks, your clothes or to the laces of your trail shoes? Or, have you brought along a bouquet of flowers to add spot color to a romantic Eaton Canyon photo shoot? If so, odds are you have unintentionally become a plant dispersal agent.
As a natural area that also includes some of the most popular hiking trails in Southern California, Eaton Canyon can be a haven for non-native invasive plants that visitors intentionally or unwittingly scatter. Some of these species include Castor Bean, Shortpod Mustard, Fountain Grass, Giant Reed, White Horehound, Spanish Broom, Dwarf Nettle and Milk Thistle. None of these belong in the canyon and were most likely introduced by wind, critters or people.
In particular, invasive grasses contribute to the risk of wildfires during the summer and fall months, and can make fires more intense when they occur.
Here are five easy methods to reduce the number of invasive plants found along the canyon’s hiking trails:
- Arrive with clean gear. Thoroughly wash off shoes, launder clothing and brush out all day packs and other recreational equipment like picnic baskets and coolers prior to arrival;
- Choose trail clothing carefully. Pants with cuffs or open pockets provide opportunities for seed disbursement in Eaton Canyon and elsewhere. Also, exposed shoelaces, socks and Velcro closures can all snag ride-along seeds. Be sure to examine these items with special care before and after hikes. Remember to check your car’s floor mats and cargo area for loose seeds, too;
- Avoid bringing outside flowers or flowering plants into the canyon. And never take flowers or plants from Eaton Canyon home with you;
- Stick to established trails to avoid dispersing invasive plants into lightly visited areas; and
- Report invasive plants using your smartphone. A list of reporting apps for both Android and IOS phones is available at www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/type/smartphone-applications.
Cover: Non-native and invasive Smilo Grass (Stipa milliacea)
Photos: © Mickey Long
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