MOOSE JAW — A group of local nature enthusiasts is taking aim at a stubborn invasive plant species with a tongue-in-cheek slogan and a serious goal: restoring native ecosystems one patch at a time.
The campaign, dubbed “Purge the Leafy Spurge,” is the latest grassroots effort by the Moose Jaw Nature Society to remove leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), a persistent and highly invasive weed that has taken hold in Wakamow Valley. The group meets weekly on Thursdays, beginning at 5:30 p.m., starting near the entrance to Maryland Park and working east toward the Burger Cabin. Everyone is welcome to join in the effort.
“We just thought we’d start within Wakamow,” explained Kimberly Epp, founder of Wild About Moose Jaw. “We formed this ‘Adopt-a-Patch’ program with Wakamow (Valley Authority), and we’re going to try and finish up the area just past the bird feeder all the way to the end (of our adopted patch of ground), before we move on to the next area.”
Leafy spurge, which produces a deceptively attractive yellow flower, poses a significant threat to native plants and pollinators. Once established, it can be extremely difficult to remove.
“It’s not native to America, and it spreads (very readily),” said Epp. “And once it’s established, it’s really hard to eradicate, because it has a chemical reaction that shoots its seeds, believe it or not, 15 feet away from the plant.”
She added that the plant’s deep, connected root system allows it to regenerate even after pulling, and the sticky, milky sap can cause skin irritation and harmful blisters in humans. Volunteers are advised to wear gloves and bring bug repellent. Supplies, including garbage bags and extra gloves, are provided on-site. While mosquitoes remain active, some members can provide extra patches and ticks are no longer much of a concern at this point in the season, Epp noted.
“It chokes out the native wildflowers. When you choke out the native wildflowers, you’re choking out the native pollinators as well,” she explained.
The invasive plant is the first of several the group plans to target in the coming weeks, with others such as purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) up for purging next.
Six volunteers came out for the last session, filling several large garbage bags with the purged pest. The work typically lasts about 60 to 90 minutes and wraps up with a social gathering as the group makes their way to the Burger Cabin.
“It’s a way to meet other people (who are interested in) nature,” Epp said. “While we’re doing this, if we see something, we’re going to stop, watch, and tell everybody, ‘Oh gee, look at that, there’s a doe with her fawn.’ … It’s hard work — even though the weeds come out easy, we want to make sure we have time to visit afterwards.”
Everyone is invited to join in the effort to control invasive plant species and do their part to give pollinator insects a fighting chance. Participants are welcome to show up at the entrance to Maryland Park just south of the Burger Cabin in Wakamow on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m., or text Kimberly Epp at 306-681-3198 for more information.
Epp said the group plans to continue for as long as they can before the fall.
To learn more, visit “Moose Jaw Nature Society” on Facebook.
