WHEREAS tamarisk is a deciduous shrub/small tree that was introduced to the western U.S. in the early nineteenth century from Central Asia and the Mediterranean for use as an ornamental, windbreak, and erosion control; and
WHEREAS Russian olive is a non-native species that is widely planted for use as an ornamental, windbreak, and erosion control; and
WHEREAS Siberian elm is a non-native species that is widely planted for use as an ornamental, windbreak, and erosion controls; and
WHEREAS tamarisk, Russian olive, and Siberian elm crowd out native stands of riparian and wetland vegetation, increase the salinity of surface soil rendering the soil inhospitable to other plants, and provide generally lower wildlife habitat value than native vegetation; and
WHEREAS tamarisk and often Russian olive and Siberian elm dry up springs, wetlands, and riparian areas by lowering surface water tables and clog stream channels narrowing those channels and thereby increasing erosion and channel degradation; and
WEREAS tamarisk increases fire hazard and the intensity of fires that severely damage sensitive riparian vegetation; and
WHEREAS tamarisk, Russian olive, and Siberian elm are now believed to cover more than 1.5 million acres of land in the western U.S. and will likely spread to another million acres over the next ten years; and
WHEREAS Rivers Edge West and other notable NGOs, as well as many county weed managers, are a coordinating organization of agencies, other organizations, and landowners working to restore and maintain the native riparian habitats in Western Colorado affected by these invasive species;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Club 20 recognizes the importance of coordinating efforts to restore riparian lands affected by these species and efforts to control the introduction and spread of non-native species that impair the important functions of our riparian lands.
Adopted 9/7/2001
Renew 9/11/2009
Amended 9/5/2014
Amended 9/10/2021