Project Description

The purpose of this program is to coordinate and assist Arundo donax eradication projects in the Sacramento/San Joaquin River and Bay-Delta regions of California.

The Arundo donax Eradication and Coordination Program is a regional effort inspired by the collaborative achievements of Team Arundo del Norte (TAdN), a coalition of property owners and representatives from government agencies, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations that addresses Arundo-related issues. The goal of the program is to bring multiple eradication projects under one umbrella to increase efficiency, pool resources, and standardize methodologies. It began in April, 2000 and is funded for three years. The program is administered for TAdN by the Sonoma Ecology Center.

Currently there are five participating partners, with sites on the Napa River, Putah Creek, San Francisquito Creek, Sonoma Creek, and Walnut Creek. Six additional partners located throughout the Central Valley are included in the program's proposed second phase. A steering committee comprised of TAdN members provides oversight and expertise, and assists in the development of program standards.

As a requirement for receiving funding, each partner is assisted in developing a site-specific eradication plan that includes initial site surveys, descriptions of treatment methods, revegetation plans, and monitoring plans. Eradication partners work independently using standardized mapping, monitoring, and reporting protocols and database programs developed by program staff. Data is submitted to a central database using electronic forms available on the TAdN website (http://teamarundo.org). Program coordinators provide partners with instruction in the use of the field data collection protocol and forms, GPS receivers, and in the reporting and maintenance of their data.

TAdN data will be integrated with other California Arundo observations such as those from the California Department of Food and Agriculture and CalTrans through CalFlora, a comprehensive database of plant distribution information for California. This will enable these multi-source data to be mapped and analyzed together. This is a critical step toward developing a comprehensive picture of Arundo invasion in California.

To increase the effectiveness of Arundo eradication projects, both small and large, the program is developing an on-line Arundo information library. It will include updated control methods, expert and project contact information, research literature, archived TAdN listserve conversations, and educational materials. All will be easily accessible from the TAdN website.

Future partners are continually identified for inclusion in subsequent grant proposals. Being part of the program increases their likelihood of getting funded. All Arundo eradication projects around the state benefit from the materials available on the TAdN website and are welcome to use the protocols, join the listserve, and share data. Ultimately the program is intended to assist and network Arundo eradication efforts in watersheds throughout California.

The current program is funded through a grant from CALFED. For more information about the Arundo donax field data protocol or to browse the Arundo information library, visit the TAdN website. For questions about the program, please contact Mark Newhouser at mnewhouser@vom.com or call the Arundo Eradication Program at (707) 996-0712.