I agree that we need to try to get the government to act responsibly, but even here in the Pinelands, in a globally unique community, we are routinely ignored by the local government when we try to press this issue. And even the native seed mixes for "restoration" regularly recommended by NRCS can be way off the mark in terms of selection for specific floristic zones within the state. So, I am trying a different tack. I am trying to work directly with Ernst Seeds and Pinelands Nursery to develop a better palette for the Pinelands. If we can prove that the growers are capable of providing natives, maybe the government will eventually see the sense in requiring it.

Besides the “restoration” issue, we also have the roadside issue. From what I can gather, the reason the government facilitates the growing of lawns on the roadsides (lawns of non-native and sometimes invasive species) is threefold. First, they want to mow all during the growing season, either because someone in charge thinks it looks tidy, or because they are afraid higher growth would encourage more litter. Second, they want to mow all during the growing season, because natural growth represents a wildfire risk. Third, whenever they do any road shoulder work, they believe they must replant with “something that will establish quickly,” in order to satisfy concerns about soil erosion.

So, it seems the local government is committed to eventual systematic extirpation of native plants on virtually all of our roadsides. Apparently we need to prove that there are logical alternatives. The neatness and litter issues, as well as the soil erosion issue can be addressed, I think. But from a non-flammability standpoint, a green lawn is hard to beat. Not sure how to answer that concern.

Russell

G. Russell Juelg

Director for Outreach

Pinelands Preservation Alliance

Bishop Farmstead

17 Pemberton Road

Southampton, NJ 08088

609-859-8860, ext. 23

fax: 609-859-8804

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Subject: Re: [naturalareasassociation] FW: [APWG] Philosophies about the Invasive the ...

Its amazing this still is as much a problem, if not more a problem than it was in the 1960s when I hand collected green fescue at Mt. Rainier to use in revegetation of roadsides and trails instead of using exotic red fescue!!!

And, at least California's highway department is experimenting with native species.

But, you are right, in spite of the Presidential Executive Order that exotic species won't be used at least on federal properties, why is the NRCS not helping with that?  Its incredible that 40 years later (in my career) we are still having to deal with this problem.

Years ago it was determined that crested wheat grass not only doesn't allow/enable reinvasion of natives- it actually changes the soil structure!!

We need to make the government responsible!!!  Write your Congressman, the head of the NRCS.  Actually, plant materials centers will be responsive to local needs.  However, we need to divert the huge amounts of funds being used to develop exotic species!  and get it re-directed to developing better ways to increase seed of our native species.  If those hundreds of millions of dollars had been spent on our own native species, this issue probably wouldn't be quite as serious as it is now.  It wouldn't have eliminated invasion of exotics that come from other sources, but at least the government itself wouldn't be contributing to the spread of exotics, against their own Executive Order!!- marcia wolfe