Sahara Mustard Workshop,

photos by Mark Dimmitt

Caltran's Partnership to Overcome a Desert Threat

Prior to the winter of 2004-2005, the spread of Sahara mustard from the Sonoran Desert through the Mojave Desert and into the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau had been noted and studied by a few scientists and land managers in southwestern North America. High biomass production by Sahara mustard caused by record rainfall during the past winter brought this species to the attention of a wider range of people who are very concerned about the potential ecological effects of this species. As a result, various proposals were circulating to develop control programs and to initiate new research projects to learn more about this species.

There was a need to bring all interested people together for a workshop to discuss the state-of-knowledge about this species. The Desert Managers Group in the area developed the concept and Caltrans and FHWA provided the funding to make it happen. Why? Sahara mustard as well as other invasives are a spreading conservation problem, reported by highway users. After all, roadways provide transportation to more that just people and goods. We need to develop partnerships with all involved in order to make any difference. This workshop was held to help guide the effective development of regional control programs and new research projects.

The steering committee included: along with Caltrans, US Geological Survey, National park Service, California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC), Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District, California Department of Food & Agriculture and the Desert Managers Group of the Bureau of Land Management. The workshop was a multi-state, regional effort with 108 attendees from Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Washington DC, and Germany.

The agenda covered background on the plant's invasion history, basic ecology, potential ecological effects, and control strategies. Experiences from the attending states were shared. The reports varied widely on status and rank as well as current control efforts. A discussion of shared goals ended the day: Some of the next steps agreed upon include:

• Complete a range survey to define the extent of the infestation, including roadsides,
• Develop a regional plan for management of Sahara mustard (Steering Committee),
• Follow ongoing research and evaluate control methods for Sahara mustard.

A review of the evaluation forms indicated a tremendous positive response to the workshop. The agenda — both content and selection of speakers — was considered excellent. Some of the attendees stated that this was the best (or one of the best) one-day workshops they had ever attended. Attendees included 108 representatives from federal, state, and local agencies with several non-governmental organizations including researchers, conservancies, plant associations, and more.

Caltrans will continue partner and be involved with the group and the next steps. We already are doing roadside surveys with the aid of Cal-IPC. While we will participate in the mapping that needs to be completed and in determining the best strategies for tackling this problem, we will also be developing training for our personnel, on identification and response for not only this invasive, but other top priority weeds. For more information, contact Sheree Edwards, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) at (916) 654-5784.