Camp Island, Karluk Lake before treatment, July 2002.

Camp Island, Karluk Lake after treatment, July 2005.

Kodiak Refuge in cooperation with Koniag Native Corporation, Kodiak Soil and Water Conservation District, Kodiak Garden Club, Kodiak Island Borough, and volunteers completed a third year of orange hawkweed control at Camp Island on Karluk Lake in 2005. Per its Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPM), the Refuge has spot-sprayed hawkweed with a highly specific herbicide every June and September since 2003 to restore native plant cover and prevent hawkweed spreading to surrounding lands used by bald eagles and brown bears.  Hawkweed distribution declined 40% and density decreased by 75% after five applications (June 2003-June 2005) with native grasses now dominating formerly infested sites.  Native forbs like spring beauty, yellow rattle, and violet each increased distribution by 50% in response to hawkweed reduction.  By request, the Refuge also initiated hawkweed control around the bunkhouse of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G).  

Hand-pulling invasive oxeye daisies was the focus of a widely advertised “weed pull” at Refuge Headquarters in early July where 18 people spent three hours removing daisies from a 3 by 15 yard patch.  Not all daisies were removed and daisy cover had increased to pre-treatment levels three months later.

Refuge staff teamed with Kodiak Soil and Water Conservation District staff, who have responsibility for local weed outreach, to visit remote sites in Uganik Bay, Larsen Bay, and Port Lions.  In Uganik Bay, an infestation of Canada thistle was found on Alaska Maritime Refuge land and orange hawkweed discovered at an idle cannery.  The team surveyed weeds and provided findings to residents and Tribal Council members who are increasingly interested in invasive plant prevention and control.  The Refuge and District were commended by the Alaska Committee for Noxious and Invasive Plants Management at its 6^th annual workshop in Fairbanks.