My name is Doug McGhee. I live in the Conservancy neighborhood, next to Williamsburg Winery and just down stream from the airport along the College Creek.
I am fundraising to help control Phragmites on the College Creek.
Phragmites are the dark green, tall, invasive plants growing in stands along the College Creek. They are taller, denser, and faster spreading than any of the native aquatic grasses along the Creek. They spread by extending their roots, from which their stalks rise. The extreme density of these plants virtually chokes out any of the native grasses, enabling them to over take any naturally occurring plant life. Additionally, this density inhibits wild life from habitating in these areas.
To give you a bit more information, the following is a link to a Virginia Invasive Species page on Phragmites. Please take a look! https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/document/phragmitescontrolbooklet-final2008.pdf
In an effort to contain their spread, around 5 years ago, James River Foundation formulated a plan to annually spray the stands of Phragmites. This effort was supported by donations from people living along the creek, people that don't want the Pragmites to migrate from College Creek into their creek or stream, and people who just care about maintaining the natural flora of the Creek.
The spraying that was done by the contractor was done in a flat bottomed boat. Unfortunately, they were limited in the areas they could reach as a result of shallow water and sticky pluff mud. Subsequently, the Phragmites have continued to spread.
Last fall, James River Foundation announced that they were no longer interested in spearheading this effort. My neighborhood association, Conservancy HOA, realized that something needed to be done and decided to lead this effort.
In further researching our limited access dilemma, we concluded that spraying by helicopter was the only effective means of "controlling" the Phragmites.
Spraying is not inexpensive. To spray the stands along the creek will run approximately $20,000.00 per treatment. The good news is, while expensive, we estimate that we will not have to retreat for 3-4 years, as opposed to every year.
We're just neighbors like you who care about the College Creek and the beauty, habitat, and recreational value that it adds to our area.
Your support of this project will have a lasting impact on the health and well being of this resource!
If you are interested in supporting this project, please consider donating via this fundraiser. 100% of all funds received will be directed to the control of the Phragmites.
Our goal is to spray in October, 2023, so please don't delay!!
Thanks you for your help!
