Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is being threatened like never before by invasive plants and needs your help! If you haven’t considered doing invasive plant control volunteering before, the attachments will give you a good understanding of what’s involved. While we can’t spray this time of year, it does work to use cut/stump and pulling methods in winter as long as it’s above freezing and the ground isn’t frozen. It’s also a good time to give attention to some species/small projects that don’t get much attention during the growing season.
Attached are two planning docs that give details about locations/species/methods for work that needs to be done. The map shows locations of 3 spots along Clear Creek that need winter creeper pulled. This is an example of maps I can make as needed to help you find a particular location or I can take you out and show you a site that needs work. Notice the instructions doc. Please let me know what task you are willing to tackle and report when it’s done so I can keep this up to date and serve as a coordinator. If you can’t help directly, perhaps you can forward this on to others who can.
I want to thank those of you who have been working on invasive plant control. I’m estimating that we spot sprayed bush honeysuckle on about 300 acres in the Eastern part of the Gans Creek Wild Area this fall after natives lost their leaves! And our SPYC crew worked all summer with various species and methods. Having worked here for 25 years, I know of many locations that are in good shape today that would have become grown up in invasive plants except that we intervened on behalf of our native plants and animals. Let’s keep doing that!
To join the effort, call or email Roxie Campbell, park naturalist:
Roxie Campbell
Park Naturalist
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
5901 S. Hwy. 163
Columbia, MO 65203
You will need to fill out and send the following forms to Roxie:
