Maryse holding Dame's Rocket found along the Chipman Trail.
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The Palouse has changed dramatically with the presence of agriculture,
recreation, and urban centers. With such changes, the presence of invasive species
can be seen everywhere. Maryse Barker organized the Palouse Weed Walk
with the help of the Weed Superintendent of Latah Country, Alan
Martinson, and the guidance of Dr. Richard Old, the the owner and
co-founder of XID Services Inc. a weed identification database.
Participants met in Pullman at the start of the Bill Chipman Trail with
Alan Martinson. Although only about a 1/4 mile was covered during the
two hour program participants learned how to identify several plants by
closely examining their many characteristics including flower color,
leaf shape, size, and stem shape.
Invasive species degrade valuable ecosystems through their ability to
spread quickly and aggressively. Maryse wanted to impart that through
knowledge participants could help improve the environment, not only on
their own land but in their community.
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