The New Fire Extinquisher: Native Grass
He grows grasses and wildflowers - but only those that are native to
eastern Oregon. And nativespecies like bunchgrass, one of his principal
crops, have become key tools in the fight against wildfire. As part of an
extensive effort to avoid last year's widespread fires, the US Forest
Service and Bureau of Land Management are eager to reintroduce
drought-resistant native grasses to wilderness areas that are particularly
susceptible to fire, and they're willing to pay a high price for the seed.
Unlike exotic species, these grasses stay green through summer and are
already adapted to the fire cycle. With the seed selling for $20 to $25
dollars per pound (compared with $5 or $6 for lawn grass seed), it's a
profitable crop as well. Yet Huber is more interested in the ecological and
community benefits (6-19-01) From the Christian Science Monitor:
http://www.csmonitor.com/durable/2001/06/19/p2s1.htm
Return of the Natives by Seth Zuckerman
http://www.tidepool.org/dispatches/grass.cfm
MORE TIDEPOOL INVASIVE SPECIES NEWS
http://www.tidepool.org/subjects/id.artshow.cfm?category=invasive
-- Jay DeLong Olympia, WA
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