July 05, 2010
Clearing Invasive Policeman’s Helmet along Byrne Creek
Byrne Creek Streamkeepers are tackling invasive Himalayan Balsam (aka Policeman's Helmet) in lower stretches of the urban creek, yet again. It's an endless battle. We've cleared this particular stretch of the creek three years in a row, but it still comes back.
The growth of this invasive plant can be so thick and rampant that it can literally suck sections of the creek dry if not battled back.
That's my wife, Yumi, and the pink blossoms
above her head are on one of the dreaded plants.
In a matter of several weeks it's gone from barely
noticeable to nearly 2 meters high!
And in places, pink is all that you see. . .
This is near the end of several hours of
back-breaking eradication.