Thursday, july 14, I participated in a https://cottonwoodcanyons.org/Cottonwood Canyon Foundation Inavsive Weed activity at Soltitude Ski Resort. A small group of volunteers were educated by CCF staff regarding the issue of invasive plants and weeds that are threatening Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.
The National Park Service says this about this seemingly innocent looking daisy: Ox-eye daisy is an aggressive invasive species. Once established, it can spread rapidly by means of roots and seeds into undisturbed meadows, woodlands, and riparian areas. It forms dense stands that tend to displace native vegetation, especially wildflowers.
I learned from Taylor Litwin, the Invasive Weed Specialist at CCF, that this plant actually changes the chemical composition of the soil which is how it displaces native plants.
For over an hour, the small group of volunteers pulled oxeye daisy from around a path at Solitude. We collected three bags of oxeye daisy making a small dent in that area.
After working for over an hour to pull inavsisve weeds, Taylor took us to Big Cottonwood Creek running through the property and on a bank of the creek we planted 96 native wildflowers.
Pulling the oxeye daisy was a frustrating experience for two reasons: 1. It was clear that this is a huge problem and would benefit from much more assistance and volunteering. 2. It was easy to pull the plant but it sneakily breaks off at the roots and the roots are very difficult if not impossible to completely remove. So, though it appears we made progress in a small area only time will tell if our efforts are truly efficacious.
Some life metaphors were taken from the experience. 1. Appearances can be deceptive..the oxeye daisy appears like any other daisy but it has a sinister effect on the environment around it. 2. Prevention and education are much easier in the long run than trying to fix the problem after it has already occurred. 3. CCF is a small volunteer organization but it is making a difference one person at a time. 4. Just as the roots of the oxeye daisy can change the chemical composition of the soil, seemingly innocuous habits and choices in life can change our inner parts..heart, mind and soul in ways that prevent growth and stunt our potential and may affect others around us. 5. Removing and replacing oxeye daisy is somewhat like repentance..we can do some of the work but the miraculous grace of the Atonement is the only thing that can truly repair the often unseen but debilitating damage caused by poor choices and bad habits.