![YST spiny and full of seeds](/sierrasuntimes/images/2016/YST-spiny-and-full-of-seeds.jpg)
The spread of these non-native invaders is a growing threat to our environment and causes depletion of water resources, increased fire hazard and incidence of wildfires, reduction in habitat for native fauna, and crowding out of native plant species. They reduce the value of land for agricultural and recreational purposes and cause enormous losses of private, county, state, and federal resources through decreased land productivity, degradation of wildlife habitat, and outright destruction of crops, livestock, wetlands, waterways, watersheds, and recreational areas.
![2 spiny things to avoid YST and barbed wire](/sierrasuntimes/images/2016/2-spiny-things-to-avoid---YST-and-barbed-wire.jpg)
Our cost share weed control program has targeted properties primarily along the “no spread” Leading Edge areas of the county: the Hwy 132/Coulterville/Greeley Hill corridor, areas around Mariposa town, and to the east adjacent to the Stanislaus and Sierra National Forests as well as on right-of-ways along county and state roads for invasive noxious weed control. Funding has been used for a cooperative cost share spray program with private landowners in these targeted areas on a 50/50 ratio to continue the aggressive assault on the noxious weed seed bank. The control materials will be applied by the contract Pest Control Operator, California Reforestation, using appropriate equipment, application methods, and rates. Applications may be made by ground rig or other method as dictated by acreage, topography, or economics.
In order to participate in the cost share program, the cooperator must meet the following criteria: 1) verification by the Weed Management Coordinator Dan Wice of yellow star thistle, tocalote, or other invasive noxious weed species on their property that constitutes a significant infestation problem to warrant participation as determined by the Agricultural Commissioner; 2) allow the Agricultural Commissioner staff to GPS, map, and monitor control efforts prior to the application, at six months, and one year following the application to establish efficacy; 3) obtain an Operator Identification Number (OIDN) for the property if there is agricultural production occurring on the property (California Reforestation as the contract PCO can serve as the agent for obtaining the OIDN and for pesticide use reporting purposes for this program); 4) cooperator reimbursement will be 50% of the application cost after payment of the invoiced amount; and 5) this is a county funded cost share program and as such, funding is limited. Participation will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Why control invasive noxious weeds, particularly yellow starthistle? Because they deplete water resources (yellow starthistle alone consumes over a million acre feet of water a year in the Central Valley that could go to producing crops), increase fire hazard and incidence of wildfires (think “green” gasoline), and reduce the value of land for agricultural, residential, and recreational purposes as well as reduce habitat for native fauna and crowd out native plant species.
- We really need your help on this project. If you have yellow starthistle or tocalote on your property and you are NOT controlling it, but your neighbors are, then YOU are contributing to their problem (as well as your own!) and providing a seed bank to re-infest their property and yours!
- If you can participate in our invasive noxious weed program, please join us. The cost is reasonable and 50% is reimbursed to you by the county.
- This is a voluntary program, so if you can’t join us, please ask us for information on how to identify and control yellow starthistle or other invasive noxious weeds on your own, whether by mechanical, chemical, or other methods.
Remember, “A weed (or two) a day, that’s all it takes” and we can make a difference! Please join our team and be part of the solution, NOT the problem! Be a Mariposa County Weed Warrior!
Article submitted by, Cathi Boze, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer