The Eradication of Vinca Minor from the Creek at Dominican University and its Restoration with Native Species

The eradication of the exotic plant, vinca minor, commonly refered to as Periwinkle, which covers the slopes of the banks of the creek at Dominican University, can happen under the most rigorous treatment. First the plant needs to be dug out by its roots. The complete eradication of the plant through the means of digging-up the roots and plant is impossible without afterward covering the dug out area with dark plastic or cardboard which has then been covered with dirt. Covering the area exhausts the root systems as they try and grow out from around the covered area.

I contacted Robin Wade at Fairfax’s O’Donnells Fairfax Nursery as well as Luana Helfman at Sunnyside Nursery in San Anselmo. They each gave me the same advice, which is that it needs to be dug-up, and after, covered. Robin suggested planting Asarum Caudarum, a native “wild” ginger. It grows well in shaded areas, has shiny round leaves and a brownish red flower. He also suggested planting the native Oxalis Oregana, which has a large pink flower when in bloom.

When I searched Google for “The Removel of Vinca Minor” one of the pages hit was The Hendricks Park Forest Management Plan. The Hendricks park is located in Eugene Oregon, and it overlooks the town of Eugene and the Wilamette River. Currently they are actively engaged in a Native Park Restoration Project. One of the most important parts of the restoration of the park is in the management of non-native, invasive, exotic species. Vinca Minor is listed as one of the species that they are most concerned with. On the other hand, when I searched for information on projects regarding the removal of Vinca Minor in Marin County, I was unsuccessful.

On their website titled “The Hendricks Forest Management Plan” they underline successful steps toward the management of invasive species. They are solisiting the help of volunteers from the community. They are engaging Youth Crews from the Northwest Youth Corps and The Metro Youth Corps. They also mention the importance in educating the community about the control of invasive plants. The plan to control invasive species is most effective if neighbors with adjoining properties recognize the importance of habitat restoration, the removal of invasives and the replenishing with natives. The Hendrick’s Project also suggests using Wild Ginger as an alternative native ground cover that will protect the area from soil erosion.

My suggestion is for Dominican to engage a local Youth Corps, students and community volunteers to do the initial removal, because piecemeal removal of the Vinca will be futile. The following Undergraduate Environmental Educational courses offered here at Dominican can continue the maintenance of the creek through educating the neighborhood about the importance of maintenance and the introduction of native species. Each semester, one more step can be made. This semester seems to be in the planning stages. Maybe next fall or this summer some of the actual manual labor could be initiated if the school is serious about restoring the creek’s health.