RaggedTop on Ironwood Forest National Monument

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RaggedTop is an iconic “volcanic neck” home to a large herd of desert bighorn sheep and rich native flora.  Since 2010 volunteers have detected sixteen patches of buffelgrass that was brought in by airborne seed spread. Buffelgrass control is urgent in order to check the rapid spread Patches vary in size from 500 square feet to 14 acres for a total estimates area of 41 acres. Since 2010 volunteers have carefully spot sprayed buffelgrass and allowed native plants to become re-established in their place. Spraying occurs recurrently up to three times per year, depending on moisture. By 2022 over 75% of the area has been cleared of buffelgrass and replaced with native plants.