OT - Invasive Snakes

Michael Mace mikemace@att.net
Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:02:50 PST
Having seen this sort of discussion flare up on the list before, I have a
feeling that we're annoying some of the list members.  Sorry about that.

I've made this offer before, but I'd like to repeat it -- I think something
constructive we could do in this area is to develop a voluntary code of
conduct for species bulb-growing, to reduce even further the risk of a bulb
escaping into the wild.  This would help show the regulatory authorities
that we can be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.  

The code could include:

--Guidelines for how to dispose of used potting soil that might have
bulblets in it.  I don't actually know what is the best way to do this.

--Steps to take with bulbs that have wind-dispersed seeds, if you live in an
area where they might naturalize (ie, deadhead them).

--A central place online for gathering invasiveness reports from our own
experiences, and reporting bulbs that have escaped into the wild, if we spot
that locally.

If we did it right, I think we could show the authorities that it's to their
advantage to support our activity, because we can help them focus on species
that actually are a potential threat.  We could be their early warning
system.

Is anyone else interested in this?

OK, I'll get off the soapbox now.

Mike
San Jose, CA


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