An African savannah bunchgrass introduced to the United States in the 1930s for livestock forage, Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) has become an invasive scourge: inspiring volunteer ‘Beat Back Buffelgrass’ eradication events across the Grand Canyon State. The drought-tolerant, fire-adapted grass outcompetes native vegetation, increasing both the frequency and intensity of Sonoran Desert wildfire.
What can be done?
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Specialist Dr. Elise Gornish will explain Thursday morning (Aug. 6) at 11 a.m. during this week’s free online webinar arranged by Gila County Cooperative Extension.
Recent topics ranged from container gardening, and pest control to wildfire recovery.
Join Thursday’s session, and mark your calendar for Aug. 13 and 20. These free online webinars stream live at arizona.zoom.us/j/95879141421; and if you find that address difficult to type, just look for the easy, convenient, direct hotlinks at extension.arizona.edu/gila -- or join the growing audience of followers at facebook.com/gilaextension for weekly updates, and to connect with Gila County Cooperative Extension for other programs, talks and links.
Weekly gardening-horticulture webinars are arranged and moderated by Chris Jones, Extension Agent for University of Arizona Gila County Cooperative Extension. Want to be added to his invite list for future gardening and horticulture workshops? Call Chris at 928-402-8586 or email ckjones@email.arizona.edu
Aug. 6 Speaker Dr. Elise Gornish specializes in ecological restoration in arid land systems - and ‘weed management. Dr. Gornish received masters and doctoral degrees from Florida State University, followed by post-doctoral studies at the University of California before joining the University of Arizona team at Cooperative Extension. In addition to vegetation management, Dr. Gornish is passionate about STEM and has recently become the Director of UA GALS (Girls on Outdoor Adventure for Leadership and Science), a new program providing science learning and leadership opportunities to traditionally underserved female high school students through backcountry programming.
