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September 19, 2016

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Dear Skyliners,

 

Thanks for the big turnout on Sunday - we really pushed back the tide of Scattergrass.  There's still a lot more, so we'll be doing our regular workdays this week.

 

Since it's starting to get dark earlier, the Wednesday shift will go from 4:30 to 7.  Sunday will still be 9:30 to 1.  Please let me know if you can make it.

 

One Wednesday afternoon, we'll be trying a 'family day'.  Along with the regulars, three parents will be coming out and bringing their outdoors-loving kids.  One parent will keep an eye on the kids, and the other two will help with the weeds.  If that appeals to anyone else, let me know.

 

We've added another grass species to our list, which brings us to 237.  This one is Elymus x hansenii.  This is a recognized hybrid species, almost exactly half way in between in aspect from its two parents: Elymus glaucus (Blue Wild Rye) and Elymus multisetus (Squirreltail Grass).  Here's a photo of the whole plant:

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And here's a close up of the flower spike:

The flower spikes are erect, like E. glaucus, but not quite so tall.  And they are slightly bushy, like E. multisetus, but not nearly so.  This one just splits the difference.  One of these hybrids grows on the famous "Nine Grass bend", and we found another on the south ridge, a bit beyond where we've been weeding Scattergrass.  Thanks to Margaret for the pictures, and to Bob for keeping our plant list.

 

On the policy front, a group of us from the STEP Alliance is meeting with EBMUD's General Manager this week.  I'll let you all know how that goes.

 

Happy trails,

 

Glen

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