April 17 – Catherine Tarasoff

 Success!  Spontaneous Native Plant Recovery Following the Control of Reed Canary Grass

In this presentation, Catherine will talk about her collaborative work with BC Parks, Kamloops Naturalist Club, TRU and others at Tranquille Wetlands to control the aquatic invasive reed canary grass.  Reed canary grass was intentionally planted as a forage crop and has invaded most of the wetland area.  Because herbicides are not permitted within aquatic areas an alternative treatment was used – benthic barriers.Catherine has pioneered the use of benthic barriers for the control of yellow flag Iris.  In this presentation, she will share results from trials using benthic barriers to successfully control reed canary grass!

Dr. Catherine Tarasoff, P.Ag has a PhD in Crop Science (Weed Science) with a minor in Rangeland Ecology and Management from Oregon State University and is an adjunct faculty member at Thompson Rivers University. She retired from her tenure track faculty position at Michigan Technological University to return to her true love – field work. Catherine specializes in  collaboration across a variety of resource management scientists and practitioners from soil scientists, to aquatic biologists, and everything in between. When it comes to resource management, a firm foundation in science and the scientific process allows her to solve complex issues across a variety of ecosystem types.