The Water Chestnut Plant
JAMESTOWN – The effort to remove the evasive species of Water Chestnuts from Chautauqua County is now underway for the 2013 season.
The Jamestown Audubon Society (JAS) and the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development (CCPED) are taking on a major effort to minimize the spread of Water Chestnut, an invasive, non-native aquatic plant that has taken a foothold in the Big Pond at the Audubon sanctuary on Riverside Road, in the Town of Kiantone.
During the winter, Audubon’s Land Use Management Committee developed a plan, but did not have the personnel to successfully launch it. Through funding from the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) and a grant from Audubon New York, the organization was able to hire a Water Chestnut Specialist to fight the plant.
Starting June 15, the Audubon will be having a series of “Chestnut pulling” days. It is a huge undertaking, requiring scores of volunteers. Audubon is calling upon anyone who loves a pond or lake in Chautauqua County to participate, and consider putting together a team that will “adopt” an area of Big Pond to keep it clear of Water Chestnut.
The first pull will be June 15th from 8 am to noon. It will start with an orientation on the best ways to pull water chestnut and will end with a lunch where everyone will report back with their results.
Officials from the Audubon and the water chestnut specialist will also be available to speak to any groups wanting more information or to sign up by calling Jamestown Audubon at 716-569-2345 or e-mail to rlundin@jamestownaudubon.org.
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