On July 13th various organization members, volunteers, and citizens from around Puget Sound gathered together for the 4th Annual Skagit Dig Day, with a mission to remove invasive spartina grass from the Swinomish Channel.

Of the 10 counties in Washington where spartina has been discovered, it is most prevalent in Skagit, Island and Snohomish Counties, and it has not been a welcome sight! While spartina is planted on the East Coast of the United States, efforts to remove spartina from the west coast are increasing.

Spartina is a perennial grass that can be found scattered around Puget Sound mud flats or inter-tidal areas between eel grass and dune grass. Earlier this year, a new species of the invasive weed was identified at the west end of Grays Harbor. Known as Spartina densiflora, it resembles the two other types found in this area: Spartina alterniflora (smooth cord grass) and Spartina angelica (common cord grass). All have stout green leaves and stems, and often form extensive meadows quickly if not removed. Spartina was first introduced to the Pacific Northwest from the east coast in the late 1880's as a packing material on ships. The type found at Padilla Bay, where Skagit Dig Day took place, was primarily Spartina alterniflora, which was brought by landowners in the early 1940's to stabilize shorelines.

There are a variety of problems caused by spartina on the west coast. Spartina has very dense root systems that trap sediments and raise the height of the mud flats. This alters the habitat favored by native eelgrass, which provides key rearing areas for native and migratory birds and fish. Property values decrease as the potential for flooding increases and beach access is limited. The seeds are extremely hardy and once produced, spread easily by water or land. No one method of removal is best in every circumstance, but hand pulling (or clipping) seedlings and digging spartina roots out are effective methods that can be used on small clumps of plants. Improper removal or disposal of spartina allows the problem to spread.

This year's Dig Day involved a record number of volunteers (55!) from organizations such as Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group, the Swinomish Tribe, People For Puget Sound, Skagit Marine Resources Committee, the Nature Conservancy and the Skagit County Noxious Weed Board. Shovels, boots, gloves and snacks were provided by the organizations and the Swinomish Tribe also provided a work crew complete with motorized transportation to haul buckets of spartina away from the work site. Larry Campbell of the Swinomish Tribe started the day off with a welcome to the site and a short talk on the cultural significance of the Swinomish Channel and the importance of good stewardship. He thanked everyone for making the time to come and show their dedication towards improving the area that we call home. Our volunteers successfully accomplished the task set out before them, and removed many truckloads of spartina from the site. Efforts like this help to keep one step ahead of the invasion of spartina.

If you would like to help in the effort, consider volunteering during next year's Skagit Dig Day or at other spartina removal events taking place around Puget Sound. For more information, watch for notices of upcoming Dig Days at www.pugetsound.org.