Invasive Weeds: Early Detection Rapid Response
For the past several years, Integrated Resource Management (IRM) has assisted various organizations in a program to detect and monitor invasive weeds. This program is called Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR). EDRR is a method of noxious weed control that identifies and treats problem weeds in their early stages of infestation in order to minimize ecological damages and minimize costs.
This year IRM and our Restoration Team completed the following EDRR projects:
- Marion Soil and Water Conservation District – Invasive Weed Inventory
- A little over 17 miles of stream near Mt. Angel, OR was inventoried for the possible presence of 23 invasive weed species.
- Data collected included spatial reference (using GIS Geodatabases), species, infestation density, growth stages, photo documentation, and substrate occupied.
- IRM identified 2 invasive weed species previously undocumented in the area and collected GIS data of another fairly common noxious weed.
- The plants identified will be targeted in 2012 for treatment.
- For a news article regarding the EDRR efforts:
- Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council – Invasive Weed Control
- IRM assisted in the Rapid Response portion of the EDRR program of the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council.
- Areas previously inventoried for invasive weeds were treated. Species treated included Japanese Knotweed and False Brome.
- Santiam Watershed Council – Invasive Weed Inventory and Control
- IRM was contracted in 2010 to assist in the Early Detection portion of the Santiam Watershed Council’s EDRR program.
- In 2011, IRM completed treatment of locations that were identified as areas of concern last year, finishing the Rapid Response portion of the project. IRM also collected new GIS data for invasive weeds that need to be treated in 2012.
For more information on IRM’s EDRR program and how we may be able to assist you, please contact our Restoration Forester, Matt Mellenthin at matt [at] irmforestry [dot] com.
