Part 4 - restoration risks and cost
Are you using pesticides?
Yes, herbicides (chemicals designed to kill plants) are one of several tools used for restoration. Without using any herbicides, combating invasive and undesirable plants would be very difficult. When using herbicides, the goal is to minimize exposure to park visitors, water, and wildlife through their careful use. The herbicide is applied as minimally as possible to the selectively targeted undesirable plant. For example, volunteers are trained to use daubers, a small, spill-proof container that includes a foam tipped applicator, and this precise application to the undesirable plant stump eliminates any damage to surrounding desirable plants. Concerns about pesticide impacts are valid but it is important to note that the quantity of herbicides used for ecological restoration is at levels far below the quantity used for agriculture (or sometimes by homeowners). If other non-chemical tools can be applied to combat invasive plants, those will be employed before resorting to herbicides. Effective restoration should reduce dependency on herbicides and herbicide use declines significantly after the first two years of the intensive management phase.
More information:
https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/pesticides/roundup/
https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/glyphosate
Washington Post Opinion Piece
More information:
https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/pesticides/roundup/
https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/glyphosate
Washington Post Opinion Piece
Who is paying for this?
The city of Minnetonka is funding the work and the work is supplemented by grants, tax deductible donations, and volunteer labor.
Will this be worth the effort?
Restoration using science-based methods means more effective and sustainable work which will reduce investment and maintenance in the long term. This will also lead to healthier and more sustainable nature spaces for park visitors to enjoy and appreciate.
Are other cities doing similar things?
Yes. Many other cities are doing similar things but some faster or slower depending on the state of their parks. Many are looking to Minnetonka’s leadership for inspiration.