San Luis Obispo WMA – California Invasive Plant Council

Co-chairs:

Jon Hall, Land Conservancy of SLO: jonh@lcslo.org

James Moore, County of SLO Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures: jmoore@co.slo.ca.us

Amy Smart, Templeton Las Tablas RCD: amy@us-ltrcd.org

Mapping contact:

John Sayers, California State Parks: john.sayers@parks.ca.gov

Newsletter & website contact:

CeRae M. Speidel, County of SLO Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures: cspeidel@co.slo.ca.us

Meetings:

Quarterly. Contact WMA for more information

Noxious weeds can negatively impact both our local economy and our cherished natural resources. There are many non-native, invasive plants established within San Luis Obispo County, threatening some of our most recognizable natural landmarks. Yellow starthistle, artichoke thistle, and purple starthistle can all be found in the hills surrounding the scenic Morros. If left unchecked, these thistle infestations will likely expand, reducing rangeland productivity for county ranchers, whose cattle avoid the spiny, unpalatable plants. In addition, these weeds degrade our critical wildlands by displacing desirable native vegetation and diminishing the habitat value for local fauna.

WMA Purpose

Although the issue of noxious weeds has not raised the concern of the general public like other more high profile ecological problems, the damage caused by invasive plants is unmistakable and recognized by countless economic, political, and environmental interests. A long-standing concern for the agricultural industry, noxious weeds are now well understood to be a major environmental problem as well, as non-native plants are increasingly invading even our most pristine natural habitats.

In recognition of the enormous problems that these invasive weeds can cause, and the coordinated effort that is required to effectively control them, the San Luis Obispo County Weed Management Area (WMA) was formed. The purpose of the WMA is multi-faceted: we are working to identify and map our county’s worst weed pests, implement projects designed to prevent, eradicate, or manage these invasive plants, and educate our local residents about this issue.

Outreach Summary:

Quarterly Newsletters

January, 2023 – SLO WMA Newsletter January 2023
October, 2022 – SLO WMA Newsletter October 2022
July, 2022 – SLO WMA Newsletter July 2022
- Dune Protected Areas Network:
  A Blueprint for Conservation in the Guadalupe Nipomo Dunes
April, 2022 – SLO WMA Newsletter April 2022
January, 2022 – SLO WMA Newsletter January 2022

Publications

Noxious weeds of San Luis Obispo County

Upcoming Events:

2022 CAL-IPC Symposium
CSU East Bay (Concord), July 18
Online, November 1-3
Register Here

WMA Meeting Minutes:

January 2020 –
March, 2017 – Meeting Notes – WMA March 2017_complete
September, 2016 – Meeting Notes – WMA September 2016_complete

Project Highlights:

Eradication of 5 priority species from the South Central Coast Region (SLO & SB)

- Limonium duriusculum -European sea lavender
  - Surveyor braving the mud at the Morro Bay Estuary Limonium duriusculum site.
    
    Limonium duriusculum
- Cirsium arvense -Canada thistle
- Thinopyrum junceiforme –Russian wheatgrass
  - Russian wheatgrass on a dune.
- Cuscuta japonica -Japanese dodder
  - Japanese dodder before treatment Lompoc, CA.
- Linaria dalmatica –Dalmatian toadflax