Groups to tackle invasive plants at Escalante River

The spread of Russian olive trees and other invasive plants on private and public lands in the Escalante River watershed in southern Utah is being tackled as a result of a new partnership.

Born this summer at a meeting in Boulder, Utah, the effort is drawing on the collaborative efforts of staff with the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Dixie National Forest, The Nature Conservancy, the state of Utah and local businesses and organizations.

Officially dubbed the Escalante River Watershed Partnership, the effort received a boost with seed money from the National Park Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works with the National Park Service.

According to a news release from the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Russian olive absorbs large amounts of water and forms dense, impenetrable thickets along streams. In doing so, it squeezes out native plants that provide habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals.

The encroachment of the tree on both public and private lands along the river and its tributaries has resulted in ecological and economic losses, as well as impacting recreational opportunities.

Multiple working groups were organized under the umbrella of the partnership to detail ways to tackle the problems associated with invasive plants, including providing assistance to landowners and involving youth groups interested in the field of land restoration.

Additional meetings are planned for the spring.

For more information, call John Spence at 928-608-6267.

— Amy Joi O'Donoghue