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/...rmwood-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
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/...rmwood-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