2006 Invasive Plant weed-pull event at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

On July 22, 2006, at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, a highly motivated group of weed pullers was busy at the Hideout Trail, going after invading exotic plants -- those stubborn dandelions. Volunteers stayed in cabins near the Outdoor Education Center, which is 18 miles up the Swanson River Road. Hideout Mountain's meadow was full of dandelions and the Refuge wanted them gone! A group of eight volunteers and Friends joined two biologists from the Refuge in an area that includes an alpine plant community, which should be dominated by Jacob's ladders and alpine sweetvetch. Armed with pronged digging tools and large plastic bags, the group started up the 1-1/2 mile trail to the meadow, digging out the bright, yellow "taraxacum offirendes" along the way. About six hours later, the diligent volunteers had filled eight or nine large sacks full of dandelions! Afterwards the group enjoyed dinner together in town, a well-earned meal for sure.

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