Hello folks,

We need 10 volunteers for Thursday, May 28th to control the noxious invasive plant spurge laurel on Thunder Island in the Cascade Locks Marine Park. This project has been created to help defray the cost of the rental of the venue for Trail Skills College this year.

Spurge laurel is one of those invasive plants that overwhelms its environment and grows to the exclusion of native plants. Other work parties have controlled small infestations of spurge laurel along the Trail both north and south of the Bridge of the Gods. In this joint project with the Port of Cascade Locks, we will take out a significant infestation on Thunder Island just upstream from the Bridge of the Gods.  Since spurge laurel is spread by birds who eat its berries we will curtail its spread in the Gorge by taking out the plants on the island. We will be hand pulling small plants and cutting off large plants below the soil line.  

You should be aware that handling the plant can cause contact dermatitis, so we will be extra careful about using proper PPE (personal protective equipment), including long sleeved shirts and good gloves.

To protect yourself from the sap of this plant, volunteers will be required to wear long pants, long sleeves, sturdy boots and gloves; we will provide nitrile gloves to wear under the work gloves. Eye protection will also be provided to those who do not wear glasses. And remember it is Oregon so you should be prepared for rain or really nice weather, so bring rain gear and/or sun block.

You will also need to bring your lunch, snacks and water for the day. There are rest rooms at the Port that you will be able to use and some water fountains as well, but you might appreciate having your water close by!

We will provide all the tools and PPE (hard hats, eye protection, gloves) that you might need and all the instructions needed to get rid of this invasive species.

Crew Leaders:  Jeff Booth and Roberta Cobb

If you would like to help out with this crew, please hit the reply button or send me an e-mail at tturner@pcta.org and I’ll get you on the list for the day.

Thanks,

Tammy

Tammy Turner

Volunteer Coordinator

PCTA Mt. Hood Chapter

tturner@pcta.org