Invasive Plant Management in Kenai Fjords National Park: 2024 Summary Report

Palaka, Kelli; Kriedeman, Christina

The Kenai Fjords National Park Invasive Plant Management Team (IPMT) has monitored, mapped, and treated invasive plants in the park since 2004 using a strategy of early detection and rapid response (EDRR). This report serves as an overview of the Kenai Fjord National Park’s (KEFJ) Invasive Plant Management Team’s (IPMT) 2024 seasonal activities. The KEFJ IPMT surveyed and treated sites in three primary areas: Exit Glacier Area, the Coast, and Seward. We used both manual treatment (hand pulling) and chemical treatment (herbicide application) methods to control invasive plant populations. Thirteen invasive plant species were identified in the park this year. We surveyed and mapped a total of 52.5 acres in the park. We manually treated 0.29 acres and chemically treated 0.92 acres of invasive plant infestations. We used the spot spraying method to apply 8.24 gallons of Milestone herbicide mix at a rate of 6 ounces per acre, 1.03 gallon of Roundup Custom herbicide mix at a rate of 52 ounces per acre, and 8.45 gallons of Habitat herbicide mix at a rate of 48 ounces per acre on selected invasive plant populations in the Exit Glacier Area, at the Maintenance Facility, and on the Coast. The water level of Exit Creek remained too high to cross safely throughout most of the season, which meant we were unable to treat the known invasive plant populations in the Outwash Plain that are only accessible by crossing the creek in 2024. In addition to manual and chemical treatment of invasive plants, we participated in outreach and partnership activities, including the 19th Seward Community Weed Pull in June, and the Seward Science Symposium in August. We also contributed to the Alaska-wide invasive defoliating moth monitoring program for the 13th year. We installed five pheromone traps in the Exit Glacier Developed Area; no invasive moths were detected. The Alaska Regional IPMT completed Elodea surveys on Delight and Desire Lakes, and none was found. Our primary recommendations for the 2024 season and beyond include: prioritizing treating highly ranking invasive plant species, retreatment of invasive plant populations in the Maintenance Facility, Harding Icefield Trail, and Herman Leirer Road locations during the summer; continuing treatment of existing invasive plant populations in coastal areas and surveying of high use coastal sites; continuing to monitor annual bluegrass populations treated with the herbicide Habitat to determine effectiveness of the herbicide and identify any impacts to non-target vegetation; and continuing involvement in moth monitoring, partnerships and outreach opportunities