Seminar on Using iNaturalist App to Help Our Environment

Subduing Knotweed Coalition

Thursday August 15 6:30 pm

 Registration iNaturalist Seminar Subduing Knotweed Coalition

Zoom link for Seminar

Join us for a seminar on how to use the app iNaturalist.   It is a fascinating tool for understanding and recording so much information about our environment.   The Subduing Knotweed Coalition has realized the most effective way to combat the incredibly invasive and destructive knotweed is to find it and dig it up when it is at a new place and before it becomes a large colony.  For this to be effective, we need people to step up and help.   Mapping knotweed is an easy task.    Take a walk down your road or along a stream and take pictures of knotweed--go home and upload them to the knotweed app and either report new or small patches to the Coalition or dig them up yourself.  iNaturalist Instructions

More info on Knotweed

Danger of Knotweed

Knotweed is a particularly dangerous invasive species, with the ability to smother and out-compete all other plants in the environment. Along riverways and/or roadways, Knotweed forms dense stands of green, bamboo like plants that outcompete all other flora, leaving a monoculture that will destabilize streambanks, affecting local water quality. With reduced water quality, and elimination of native habitat or food sources, insect populations rapidly die down – and bring down the populations of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and all other aquatic and wetland dwellers, reducing biodiversity.  It also does not allow native trees to establish and provide carbon sinks in order to combat climate change.  

Knotweed also directly affects human activities, increasing flooding due to eroded stream banks, negatively impacting water quality, destroying recreational fishing and hiking – even growing through built infrastructure including, septic systems, house foundations, walls, sidewalk pavement, culverts and bridge foundations. Its dense stands can rapidly pose visibility challenges along roadways.

Knotweed Control 

Knotweed can be effectively targeted and controlled when it is first spotted. Early detection and reporting is crucial. Small populations can be dug up in their entirety, and when accompanied by systematic monitoring afterwards, can prevent a knotweed incursion entirely.  

The Subduing Knotweed Coalition is working to map knotweed and has established an early response team for digging out new/ smaller infestations.  The Coalition needs people to help with mapping, early detection and digging.  Checkout the website and click on the get involved button.