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+--- Thread: Saturday, May 17 Operation Weed-Attack! (/showthread.php?tid=4357)
Saturday, May 17 Operation Weed-Attack! - MeganQ - 05-13-2025
Hello, fellow Jim Billies!
As a member of the Town Board, my responsibility is to keep the two parks healthy and ready for public use. I've been working with Shursteen Sharpe, the Noxious Weeds Specialist for Boulder County. Elysian Park in particular is overrun with invasive plants, and the County is concerned that the seeds from these plants are washing downstream. I could really use your help in taking care of the weeds in the Big Park, but also in your own yards. I would love to get rid of the invasive species in Elysian Park before the 4th of July celebration!
Noxious weeds are plants that have been designated by an agricultural authority as a plant that is harmful to agricultural or horticultural crops, natural habitats or ecosystems, or humans or livestock. Invasive and noxious weeds are often ornamental plants that we keep in our gardens that outcompete the native species when they aren't being maintained. Many of the invasive species in the park, like Wormwood, most likely washed across the park during the flood in 2013. https://pitkincounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/2136/B-Absinth-Wormwood-PDF
On Saturday, May 17 at 10 am, please join me at Elysian Park to learn to identify the harmful plants from our native species. People of all ages are welcome!! Please spend an hour (or longer) with us - using weed whackers and hand tools to dig up some of the more aggressive species. You're welcome to attack the non-native plants anytime you use the park - there will be thick garbage bags and ID cards to help you distinguish the plants we want to eradicate.
This is an ongoing effort in collaboration with Boulder County Parks and Open Space over the next few years. We should be able to manage the spread of weeds with one Operation Weed-Attack day each year. The middle of May is a good time for this as the plants have grown large enough to correctly identify, but haven't started to spread seeds, AND it's not too hot yet.
Shursteen's crew is going to mow Elysian Park at least 3 times this summer, to ensure the weeds don't go to seed, which will help it from spreading. They will also come up on the first Wednesday of each month to pick up bags of pulled weeds that you may find in your yard (instead of composting these, which can reseed and spread).
We all love our little mountain home, and the health of our natural areas is important. Please bring your family, friends, and neighbors! Many hands make light work! The more people come, the fewer hours we'll have to work!
Thank you in advance for your help! Love to all y'all - Megan Quitter 3oh3 9oh7 4533
RE: Saturday, May 17 Operation Weed-Attack! - Deanna - 05-14-2025
I'm very concerned that we have involved Boulder County Parks and Open Space otherwise known as BCPOS to manage our parks! They are notorious for using toxic pesticides to manage their lands!
Is this a completely non chemical weed management plan? We need to know.
Residents in the town of Lyons have a lawsuit against BCPOS for
spraying their harmful toxic chemicals near residents homes, exposing them and causing health problems.
RE: Saturday, May 17 Operation Weed-Attack! - MeganQ - 05-14-2025
I hear you, Deanna. We are not using herbicides or pesticides.
That's why I'm calling for everyone's help to mitigate with hand-pulling and weed whacking on Saturday.
BCPOS is going to be there with a crew of 6 people to help us - and they're going to mow. That's it. No chemicals.
RE: Saturday, May 17 Operation Weed-Attack! - Deanna - 05-15-2025
I think our town is opening a door with Boulder County Parks and Open Space that we will all REGRET by getting them involved to help us manage our "weeds" and parks!
Has anyone ever been to a monthly Boulder County Commissioners Public Meeting at the Courthouse? I have over the last 4 years.
Almost every meeting there are Boulder County Residents from all over the county, including Nederland and Lyons, showing up to speak out against the herbicides and pesticides they are spraying on plants and the land and asking them to change their weed management plan.
Claire Levy and Marta Loachamin approved an Integrated Weed Management Plan (IWMP) that allows the use of Indaziflam and allows aerial spraying of the experimental herbicide, Rejuvra from DRONES! Commissioners Levy and Loachamin ignored extensive community calls to end such practices via testimony, comments, a survey, a petition, and an open letter.
After a lot of push from Boulder County Residents, BCPOS now must be transparent what they are spraying, how they are applying them and where they are spraying these toxic chemicals. They now post online their Daily Planned Herbicide Applications on publicly accessible Parks and Open Space Lands . To access this information, go to this website, where you will find the section "Daily Planned Herbicide Applications.”
I'm concerned that our town board is inviting BCPOS to help us "manage" our "weeds"! We are opening a door for them to impose their Integrated Weed Management Plan on our town lands where we live and play. If you look at many of the plants they are spraying on the website above, they are Medicinal Plants.
While I appreciate the town trying to find a plan to manage the weeds, I would exercise great caution working with BCPOS. Their solution often ends up using herbicides and pesticides that would negatively affect the health of our community and the integrity of our water.