Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/10/2003

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Buckthorn Suppression 'Efforts. Two species ofbuckthorn (Rhamnus ca[hat[ica & R. frangula) are woody shrubs (12 - 20 feet tail) that are native to Europe and were brought to Minnesota via the nursery trade in the mid 1800's. Today, buck[horn has.unfortunately turned out to be a nightmare for natural resource managers across the country because of its furious competitive nature to invade and do.minate woodland understories and prairie edges. Left unchecked, buck[horn will result in serious loss of forest understory species, depleted soil productivity, and significantly reduced plant and animal diversity. includes annual monitoring, adaptive management strate~es, and a replanting plan. Buckthorn suppression initiatives are currently Creek Chain of Lakes, Coon Rapids Dam, and Rum Kiv. e~ North. Over the past two months, the basal spray method has been practiced at Rum .River North County Park in an effort to suppress 10 acres of moderately scattered buck[horn in an oak forest. On-going and ag~essive buck[horn suppression efforts will be a crit/cally important forest management strategy that will likely determine the future succession of today's native forests and woodlands. Chomonix Gearing Up For Spring Another golf season is approaching fast. Ron Hanson : Go[f 'Course Assistant - rep[aces Tee Signs in an out effort to get the course ready for 2003. The next few weeks wi[[ find the maintenance staff .cLeaning up the traces of winter and preparing the course for punic play. The clubhouse staff wit[ be issuing patron cards, scheduling evening Leagues and tournaments, cleaning and polishing the clubhouse. Many hours of preparation are required to provide the services necessary for a successful golf seas{ Parks and Recreation Natural Resources Technician, Glenn Fuchs, applies an approved herbicide to help prevent buckthorn growth. Hence, efforts are undema, ay throughout the Anoka County Parks System to suppress 'buckthorn'. Buckthorn suppression work can be effectively implemented year around, even during the winter months. Several adaptive methods of suppression a~e used depending upon the size and extent of the buckthorn invasion and the surrounding plant communities. The following methods have been applied in an effort to pursue control of buckthorn at various sites: Flush cut and treat stump with a wick applicator (approved herbicide) Basal spray the lower two feet of standing buck[horn (approved herbicide) Foliar spray small buck[horn (approved herbicide) Controlled fire Mechanical removal with the "Weed Wrench" (digs out shoots and roots) When the deciston is made to move into a woodland to control buckthorn, it is imperative to be prepared for an on-going commitment and to have a long range plan for the area that 24 Ron Hanson ·working to perfect the tee signs throughout the course. A job fair has been scheduled for March 22, in the Chomonix CLubhouse, whereapp[icants can apply for seasonal positions throughout the Anoka County Parks system. The [arge clubhouse gd[t has been tota refurbished and Looks Like new. This was done ov the winter months to proLong the tile of the griLL and delay the out [ay of dotLars for a new one, during this time of budget shortfaLLs.