What Can I Do?

As a resident of the Mattole watershed and member of the community, there are a number of things you can do to help prevent the spread of invasive species:

• Educate yourself on plants in the Mattole. If you find a plant that you are unsure of, bring it in to the MRC office or a local university, native plant society, etc. Find out if the species is invasive and if so, report it to the Invasive Plant Program Coordinator at the MRC in Petrolia.

• "If You Don't Know It, Don't Grow It" Don't Plant Invasive Weeds. Be careful when selecting plants for your garden or home landscaping. Many nurseries and local garden shops continue to sell invasive plant species that may spread into the nearby natural areas and eventually cause large-scale economic and ecological damage. Go Native.

• Report Invasive Plant Sightings. If you spot an invasive plant in the Mattole watershed please download and fill out the following form. Email it to: unity@mattole.org.   "I SAW IT" Form (Word document)

• Remove Invasive Plants. Report or remove invasive weeds whenever they are spotted. You can control or eradicate invasive plants on your property by removing them entirely or managing them properly to prevent their spread. Be sure to consult local experts for proper invasive plant species management and removal techniques.

• Participate in Invasive Plant Removal Events. Look for opportunities to get involved in local invasive plant eradication projects. The MRC hosts various volunteer events throughout the year. It is a great way to learn to better identify invasive weeds in our watershed while getting involved in community events.

    If you have any questions or desire more information, please contact the
    Mattole Restoration Council at (707) 629-3514 or email unity@mattole.org.