Thanks to everyone that came and helped bend knotweed on Saturday. We had a highly motivated group and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I did a rough estimate of the area and came up with over 6 acres bent, which I think is terrific. That will help us out tremendously when we get ready to treat it later this year. If you weren't able to attend I hope you were doing something to help our environment and you weren't laid up in bed sick or something. The weather could have been better but overall it wasn't too bad. I also know there were other conflicting events going on, but no matter which day we tried to schedule it there was something else going on. Maybe next year... Have a great day! Nels J. Parvi Pierce Conservation District Knotweed Lead Technician Nisqually River Knotweed Control Project P.O. Box 1057 5430 66th Ave. E Puyallup, WA 98371 Phone (253) 845-9770 FAX (253) 845-4569 And from Paul Nerge, who did a lot of the coordination and advertisement for this event (and provided lunch): Here's article I just sent to the Eatonville Dispatch. Thanks for all your efforts. Paul No Knotweed Day a success! We had a nice group of people that showed up recently for the 2nd annual "No Knotweed Day" in Ashford. As was also the case last year, this was a wonderful chance for families to spend a day in the woods together, giving something back to Mother Earth. Pastor Joe Koehler and his family were just part of the group that worked both the morning and afternoon shifts. Although we had some light rain that day, people came in their rain gear and rubber boots, and everyone seemed to have a great time. We were able to bend several acres of knotweed that was growing next to the Nisqually River, close to the Ashford area. For those who aren't aware, knotweed is a noxious weed that is not native to the area. Unaware of the consequences, knotweed was planted as an ornamental plant by many homeowners during the mid 20th Century. Knotweed has taken over many of the waterways and has ended up choking out the native plants that are necessary to help with flood and erosion control. Even a small piece of knotweed that is carried downstream can start a new patch. Knotweed will grow over eight feet tall and can become very dense and hard to get rid of. The purpose of the "bending over" of the knotweed is to help make more effective the spraying that Pierce Conservation District & the Nisqually River Knotweed Control Project will do at a later date. With the larger plants knocked over, the spay will also reach the smaller, emerging plants. Over the past three years there has been close to 200 acres that have been treated. Thanks to Nels Parvi who is the lead technician with Pierce Conservation District and the Nisqually River Knotweed Control Project and to everyone who attended the event this year. Thanks to Judy Scavone who also participated and provided photographs. We plan to work with Nels Parvi and his group again next year for a similar event. Keep the "No Knotweed Day" event in mind when you or your family are planning to be in the Mt. Rainier area during late spring of next year. Paul Nerge Visit my web site at: MtRainierProperties.com