The alien forces have landed, and threaten to take over, silently. Ranger Pam Tripp says you can help repel the botanic invaders…
Joshua Tree National Park is being invaded! Some of the ornamental plants growing in our communities won’t stay where they are planted and will frequently spread into the wild canyons of the park. Two of the most invasive ones are fountain grass and Tamarisk trees. These annoying plants cost the park thousands of dollars each year to control their numbers in places such as 49 Palms Canyon and other remote sites. Invasive plants degrade the quality of wildlands by altering natural processes and reducing biodiversity. They change the physical environment and cause wildfires of increased frequency, intensity and size. You can help preserve your National Park by substituting native plants such as deer grass and mesquite trees in your yard. You will benefit from knowing that you are helping native plants survive in the wild. In addition, you will save water because native plants are better adapted to dry, desert conditions than their non-native cousins. For additional information, contact Katy Matthews at 760 367-5577. For Z107.7, this is park ranger Pam Tripp, reminding you to enjoy the solace, wonder, and wild of your national park.
