Kenai Refuge YCC Crewmember Tim Baldwin Grabs a Handful of White Sweetclover While Helping Remove the Invasive Plant Species from the Refuge.

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge's Youth Conservation Corp (YCC) spent two days recently removing white sweetclover (Melilotus alba) from sites in the Swanson River Oilfield.  White sweetclover was first discovered at the site in 2005, so quick erradication was essential before the plant can spread further into the Refuge.  The YCC crew, joined by Refuge staff, removed all evidence of the plant where it had been found - 97 large garbage bags in all!  Efforts will be continued in future summers to ensure erradication of the weed.  White sweetclover is one invasive species that can be readily controlled through such actions - many other invasive plant species are much more difficult to control.  The YCC program provides summer seasonal employment for local high school age youth who help the Refuge with a variety of projects such as trail maintenance, biology, environmental education program support, and litter removal.