Welcome 

to the 

Southern and Central Arizona 

Buffelgrass Response Center 

Website

Buffelgrass Fire Advisory Posted!

Buffelgrass Day PowerPoint Presentation

Buffelgrass is spreading rapidly across Arizona's deserts and poses an immediate threat to the integrity of the Sonoran desert.  Buffelgrass, (Pennisetum ciliare), is a fire-prone grass introduced from the African savannah that grows in dense stands, crowds out native plants and can fuel frequent and devastating fires in what has been generally a fireproof desert. Competition for water can weaken and kill desert plants, even larger trees and cacti, while dense roots and ground shading prevent germination of native seeds. Buffelgrass can kill or exclude most native plants by these means alone; wildfires will only hasten the process.  

In the past two years, the invasion of buffelgrass has reached a critical stage.  Extensive outreach has resulted in media coverage and nearly unanimous consensus that the time for action is now.  Even with this heightened awareness, the heroic efforts of a few volunteers, and growing public agency engagement, control activities have yet to keep pace with buffelgrass spread.  Because this spread is exponential—populations of this grass and the costs of controlling it may be doubling every year—time is of the essence.  Collaborative and decisive action is needed now.    

On March 1, 2008, over 200 volunteers joined forces on Buffelgrass Eradication Day - a regionwide effort to remove buffelgrass.  The event was a great success with many new volunteers lending their support.  Over 400 bags of buffelgrass were removed representing over 4,000 plants.  The event was also successful in raising awareness.  Extensive media coverage helped to spread the word regarding this major challenge.  To see a few photos from the day click here

 

 

 

 

On February 9, 2007, over 120 federal, state, local and community representatives met to chart a new plan to respond to the buffelgrass threat.   This webpage is a result of that Summit.

Participants at the Buffelgrass Summit (February 2007)