7th Annual Skagit Dig Day

Photos courtesy of Keeley O'Connell
People For Puget Sound

July 23, 10 am-3 pm, Swinomish Channel, Skagit County

Spartina Dig Days” are here and volunteers are needed!

Join People For Puget Sound and other partners this summer to remove the invasive Spartina from our North Sound beaches!

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Britta Eschete at 360-336-1931 or beschete@pugetsound.org

While there are no known Spartina infestations around Guemes Island, there is Spartina in Alice Bay on the east side of Samish Island. The Weed Board controls that infestation yearly, and it is nearly gone. Unfortunately, due to the dangers posed by the 'soupiness' of the mudflats in Alice Bay, we are unable to have volunteers work on that infestation. That is why we work each year with the Swinomish Tribal Community and focus our volunteer efforts on infestations on tribal property where manual control work is more applicable.

This year will be the 7th Annual 'Skagit Dig Day' that the Swinomish Tribe has sponsored! People For Puget Sound co-sponsers these events, provides equipment and recruits volunteers. The Skagit Marine Resources Committee has provided funding for 'Skagit Dig Days' since 2003.

- Keeley O'Connell


What is Spartina and why is it a problem in Puget Sound?

Spartina angelica is an invasive (non-native) salt-tolerant weed that was introduced from Europe in the 1960’s. It was brought over for dike stabilization and cattle feed.

Unfortunately, it aggressively displaces native vegetation, disrupts shorebird and juvenile salmon foraging areas, and impacts shellfish habitat. It has found Puget Sound to be quite comfortable and grows in nearly all of our unique shoreline habitats. Currently, there are approximately 760 solid acres of Spartina in Puget Sound, with 350 acres located in Island County, and 30 acres located in Skagit County. Left untreated, Spartina could cause irreversible damage to the nearshore environment of Puget Sound. Spartina is easy to remove when it’s young, but after a year or two, the roots are very deep and difficult to dig up.

Where will I find Spartina?

Spartina angelica has adapted itself to grow in a variety of tide-influenced locations, such as mud flats, salt marshes, sand or cobble beaches. Its ideal growing environment would be in a protected soft-bottom bay with some freshwater influence. Spartina angelica is not found in upland areas or on rocky headlands.

How can citizens become involved in removing Spartina in Puget Sound?

People For Puget Sound and our partners will be hosting community dig events in Island and Skagit County this summer, as well as presenting at several workshops throughout the north Sound. We will be training citizens in identification, and removal methods. Please consider joining us for “Dig Days” on July 23rd and August 6th for some tough, but rewarding Spartina removal!

If you believe that you have Spartina growing on your shoreline property, or know of public places where Spartina is growing, please give one of the following numbers a call! The public plays a crucial role in the fight to eradicate Spartina, and the more eyes we have looking for this sneaky weed, the better our chances of finding every last plant and removing it!

People For Puget Sound, North Sound Office at 360.336.1931, www.pugetsound.org

Skagit Noxious Weed Control Board 360.336.9430

Island County Noxious Weed Control Board 360.679.7327

 

If you believe that you have Spartina growing on your shoreline property, or know of public places where Spartina is growing, please call:

People For Puget Sound 360.336.1931

Skagit Noxious Weed Control Board 360.336.9430

Tags: Spartina Volunteer
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