| Project Name | Dalton Highway Invasives Project |
| Project Number | 287 |
| Location | Haul Road between the Kanuti River and Coldfoot |
| Dates | June 23-27 and July 21-25. |
| Duration | 1 week each month |
| Number of Volunteers Needed | 4 or 5, dependent upon lodging |
| Description | "Since 2006,the Fish and Wildlife Service, patek philippe replica Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Friends and others have cooperated to control white sweet clover and other non-native plants at critical river crossings along the Dalton Highway because of their mutual concern that these waterways could become transportation routes for dispersal of invasive weeds into Kanuti Refuge. At its nearest point, the refuge lies just eight miles west of the Dalton Highway and there are at least six tributaries that cross the highway and later enter the refuge, making the road the most likely source for invasive plants to enter the refuge. Seeds can travel down waterways that cross the highway and flow through the refuge. Additionally, seeds and plant material can be inadvertently transported on vehicles, such as boats and airplanes, which originate in infested areas. Because waterways are the most likely route for seed dispersal,
weed-pull efforts focused on areas where rivers and streams that enter the refuge cross the highway, including large culverts.
With the ambitious goal of preventing non-native, invasive seed production entirely between the Kanuti River and Coldfoot again this year, cooperators are hopeful that their efforts will keep the Kanuti Refuge weed-free, at least for another year. Even with these significant efforts, continued monitoring and controls will need to be implemented in order to ensure that the plant does not spread into the refuge. We will provide equipment, and breakfast, lunch and snacks while in the field. Friends will cover dinners in Coldfoot and those needed while traveling to and from Fairbanks, lunch on the first and last day of each weed pull.
Volunteers and refuge/BLM staff hand pull seedlings and infestations of White Sweet Clover and Bird Vetch along the Haul Road (Dalton Highway)north of the Kanuti River. Weed whackers are used in some areas. We generally work 4 or 5 days, and travel to and from Fairbanks takes 1 day each way in Government vehicles. Travel to Fairbanks will be by carpooling or flying from Anchorage. Travel, food costs, and night in Fairbanks before and after trip is provided, as well as all equipment needed for the project.
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| Skills Needed | Ability to be outdoors from 8-5, doing manual labor, in cold or wet or dusty and hot, buggy conditions.
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| Education Topics | Invasive Plants on the Haul Road and Alaska National Wildlife Refuges.
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| Materials Needed | Refuge provides tools, gloves, equipment, and bug spray. Bring work clothes, head nets or bug jackets, layers of clothing to be prepared for temps 30-80, snow or rain, dust, mosquitos.
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| Other Outreach Opportunities | Talking to others traveling the road system (truck drivers and tourists)about Friends and the refuges and the work being done to combat invasive plants. Give a program at the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center about the refuges and invasives.
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| Contact | Betty Siegel betty.siegel@alaska.net |