KILAUEA — A noxious fern-like weed is growing along the edges of the Kilauea River, and community members Bob and Pam Warren are hosting a work day on March 3 to help clean it up.
KILAUEA — A noxious fern-like weed is growing along the edges of the Kilauea River, and community members Bob and Pam Warren are hosting a work day on March 3 to help clean it up.
Currently, the Warrens estimate the fast-growing weed covers more than 20 percent of the river’s water surface area.
Salvinia is a commonly introduced invasive weed in warm climates. Originally used as an aquarium plant, it grows rapidly and forms dense mats over still waters. Consisting of small clumps of leaves, the plants mass together to literally form a floating mat on top of the water.
“If left unchecked, the plant growth blocks out the sunlight which algae uses to create oxygen — killing fish, frogs, prawns and any other creatures which depend on water,” Pam Warren said. “We are trying to muster about 100 volunteers to put in a day’s labor.”
Warren said they are asking all volunteers to meet on the beach at Rock Quarry, ready to get wet and dirty.
“We need kayaks, motor boats, SUP, tarps and nets to collect the salvinia from the river. As in the past, the invasive weeds will be collected on the shore at Charles Somers’ property before composting,” Warren said.
Info: ra@warren.net
