Beat Back Buffelgrass Day 2010 On February 6, 2010, citizens will be asked to help preserve the Sonoran desert by digging, pulling and possibly bagging buffelgrass and fountain grass from areas where these invasive grasses have the potential to destroy the desert. You can join one of the established weedwacker groups or you can start your own neighborhood clean up effort. To see a map of the sites and to register, please visit the registration site.

 

Sonoran Desert Weedwackers

The Sonoran Desert Weedwackers started in 2000 as a small group of committed individuals whose objective was to remove non-native fountain grass and buffelgrass from the washes and roadsides of Tucson Mountain Park, a 27,000 acre Sonoran Desert natural preserve a few miles west of Tucson. Since that time, the Weedwackers have become well-known in the invasive weed management community for their successful removal of tons of invasive grasses from the Tucson Mountain Park. Areas where dense buffelgrass was removed in 2001 now support native grasses and wildflowers.

The Weedwackers are supported by Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation and the Tucson Chapter of the Arizona Native Plant Society. Members of the group perform monthly surveys of the Park for the presence of invasive buffelgrass and fountain grass, noting which areas need the most attention. Within a week, a larger team of Weedwackers attacks this area with digging bars and 55-gallon trash bags, eradicating the invasive grasses and carrying the bags out to a “victory pile”. The bags are then removed to a landfill.

The teams of local residents often include other community groups, including the Boy Scouts of America, Rotary, college students on break, and Sierra Club service groups. In the last ten years, the Sonoran Desert Weedwackers have removed an estimated 120 tons of invasive grasses, keeping Tucson Mountain Park safer from fire and protecting the unique Sonoran desert plant community. There are now weedwacking groups working almost every month throughout Tucson.

Sonoran Desert Weedwackers in Tucson Mountain Park

The Weedwackers in Tucson Mountain Park work the third Saturday of every month, usually meeting at the Caretaker's House across from the Desert Museum. Pima County staff provide digging bars and gloves; the group is transported to the worksite by a Pima County van. Volunteers learn the difference between native and invasive grasses onsite. Experienced Weedwackers demonstrate the proper digging techniques in the field.

To get involved in Pima or Maricopa County, send a message to the Tucson Mountain Weedwacker volunteer coordinator Marilyn Hanson. Download a brochure which explains more about the Weedwackers' efforts.

Sonoran Desert Weedwackers in Saguaro National Park-East

This group works on the second Saturday of every month. They meet at the Visitor Center of the Rincon Mt. District (east side). Tools and gloves are provided. Contact Bethany Hontz, Biological Science Technician at SNP-E by email or phone (520-733-5187. Read about the Fight to Save Saguaros at Saguaro National Park using hand-pulling and herbicides.

Tanque Verde Valley Weedwackers-East side of Tucson

Tanque Verde Weedwackers started eradicating buffelgrass in March 2008. They cleared the area around Pantano and Irvington Roads. They have since moved to Atterbury Wash which is a protected wash at Escalante Road and Sarnoff Road. They work every first Saturday of the month. To join this group in the buffelgrass battle, contact Sally Danielson by email.

Save the Waterman's-Ironwood Forest National Monument

A concentrated project “Save the Watermans” was organized by the Friends of the Ironwood Forest working jointly with the BLM, with FIF attracting volunteer labor and supervision and BLM providing logistic and tool support. The project is focusing on eradication efforts in the Waterman Mountains until all chronic and incipient stands of buffelgrass are snuffed out! Download a description, schedule and maps of the project here. To join this group in the buffelgrass battle, contact John Scheuring by email.

Phoenix Weedwackers- Phoenix Mountain Preserves

The Phoenix Weedwackers is a volunteer group formed to help eradicate invasive species like buffelgrass from the Phoenix Mountain Preserves. The Phoenix Weedwackers started their work in December of 2006 at Piestewa Peak in Phoenix. With an average of 20 volunteers a month they have made a significant impact around the trailhead and entrance areas of Piestewa Peak. To learn more about the group and scheduled weed pulls, check out their website or contact the coordinator Claudia Bloom .

 

Safety Guidelines for Weedwacking Groups

Safety considerations vary depending on the location of the weedwacking, such as roadside activity compared to open desert. Download the safety guidelines for your group and revise for your specific location.

Weedwacking Guidelines for Boy Scout Eagle Projects

Weedwacking activities are very appropriate for BSA service projects, conservation badges and Eagle Projects. For an example of suggested guidelines for an Eagle Project, download here.

Meeting Times for the Weedwackers

8:00am January-February, November-December
7:00am March-May, September-October
6:00am June-August

To see photos of the Sonoran Desert Weedwackers fighting back against the invasive grasses, click here to see slideshows of areas where they have been working.

Weedwackers removing buffelgrass from Tucson Mountain Park

Buffelgrass presents one of the greatest threats to the health and biodiversity of our Sonoran Desert. With your help and muscle power, you could be part of this outstanding effort to protect the desert.