Crews remove invasive plants from Arizona waterways to conserve water, better ecosystem

This story is a part of the web model of an episode of The Buzz.

The creeks and streams that feed Arizona’s rivers might at instances not seem like they carry a lot water, however when each gallon counts, these tributaries can assist fill the state’s reservoirs. With that in thoughts, crews in northern Arizona are working to take away thirsty invasive vegetation and hold a river system flowing.

One such waterway is Oak Creek, which begins in a canyon south of Flagstaff and flows into the Verde Valley, the place it will definitely feeds into the Verde River south of Cornville.

On the southern fringe of the creek, a crew has spent the final week pulling up a area of an invasive reed, and so they’re now feeding 1000’s of reduce vegetation right into a wooden chipper.

“We’re engaged on a undertaking to take away arundo, often known as large reed, which appears to be like so much like bamboo,” mentioned Tracy Stephens, program director at Associates of the Verde River. “It is one of many invasive vegetation that is actually began to choke out areas alongside the Verde.”

She mentioned the invasive plant, which was launched to the world 30-40 years in the past, can’t be reduce down and left to decompose.

“Now we have to chip the arundo as a result of if we depart it complete, it might truly re-sprout from every leaf node. So one arundo inventory left on the bottom can truly re-sprout in 30 totally different locations and create an entire new stand and one other large downside for us.”

Associates of the Verde has been eradicating arundo and some different non-native vegetation for greater than a decade, permitting native species that devour much less water to thrive within the space.

Whereas Stephens talks, 4 employees feed tall shares of arundo into the chipper.

“The crew that we’re working with right now is [from] Verde Earth Applied sciences or VET. It is a veteran-owned, veteran-managed firm that is comprised primarily of veterans,” she mentioned.

Sean Borruso has labored for VET for 12 years. He grew up in New York, and located his technique to the Verde Valley after a quick cease in Texas. He’s an Military veteran who did two excursions in Afghanistan.

“It helps with PTSD so much, being out right here,” he mentioned. “You do not have to take care of lots of people, type of, and it is simply straightforward. The atmosphere, it is simple to work and simple to breathe.”