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The Dirt | An Early Detection and Rapid Response Success Story!

Last month on May 10th, I hosted a Weed Watchers Workshop at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. Twelve people attended the workshop, and together, we learned about 8 different noxious weed species and how they are classified by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. ODA also provided live specimens for participants to observe and interact with! One of the species I highlighted in my workshop is oblong spurge (Euphorbia oblongata), which is a species Benton SWCD currently has grant funding to remove from private land.

Yellow flowers and a bee among green leaves.
A close up photo of oblong spurge with a bee on it. Photo by Cierra Dawson.
Room set for "Benton County Weed Watchers Workshop" with presentation on screen, brochures, and laptop on a table.
Photo taken during the Weed Watchers Workshop by Cierra Dawson.
Yellow flowers and a bee among green leaves.
Room set for "Benton County Weed Watchers Workshop" with presentation on screen, brochures, and laptop on a table.

Shortly after the workshop on May 16th, I received a new report of oblong spurge in Corvallis from the Oregon Invasives Hotline. I immediately clicked on the report and noticed the name looked familiar because it was! The person who reported the plant had attended my workshop just days before. Thanks to that, they knew what oblong spurge looked like, its key defining characteristics, and most importantly, what to do about it. I was able to make contact with the homeowner that had the oblong spurge and they were more than happy to have the plant removed. They’ve even followed up by talking to their neighbors about the plant and referring them to Benton SWCD for assistance.

Garden path with yellow flowers, green plants, a meter, and yellow wall with lattice. Path leads to taller trees and a raised bed.
Oblong spurge infestation pre-removal. Photo by Cierra Dawson.
A yellow wooden building with windows, surrounded by plants, beside a small fenced area and a tiled path.
Oblong spurge infestation removed. Photo by Cierra Dawson.
Outdoor area with pavers, a colorful doormat, trash bins, wooden fence, and some scattered weeds.
Oblong spurge seedling infestation pre-removal. Photo by Cierra Dawson.
A patio with a wooden fence, two trash bins, a colorful mat, and some wooden planks against the side of a building.
Oblong spurge seedlings removed. Photo by Cierra Dawson.
Three black garbage bags filled with garden waste against a rusty metal wall.
Three large trash bags full of removed oblong spurge plants. Photo by Cierra Dawson.
A person smiles outdoors, wearing a hat, next to yellow flowers and a house.
Cierra Dawson takes a photo with oblong spurge before disposing of it.
Garden path with yellow flowers, green plants, a meter, and yellow wall with lattice. Path leads to taller trees and a raised bed.
A yellow wooden building with windows, surrounded by plants, beside a small fenced area and a tiled path.
Outdoor area with pavers, a colorful doormat, trash bins, wooden fence, and some scattered weeds.
A patio with a wooden fence, two trash bins, a colorful mat, and some wooden planks against the side of a building.
Three black garbage bags filled with garden waste against a rusty metal wall.
A person smiles outdoors, wearing a hat, next to yellow flowers and a house.

To me, this short story perfectly illustrates the importance of outreach and Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) protocols. Change begins with having the foundational knowledge needed to make something happen. Go to free workshops/trainings if you haven’t before, learn new things, and when you see something, say something!

Thank you to the Oregon State Weed Board for providing grant funding for the Purge the Spurge project for the 4th year in a row, and thank you to the Oregon Department of Agriculture for providing technical assistance and outreach plant materials for the workshop!