- Plant Species In Bidwell Park
- A page about the park plant inventory project
- Article, “Weeds In Bidwell Park,” by John Dittes.
- What is currently being done to control invasive plants in Bidwell Park?
- Table of invasive plant species
- Bidwell Park Vegetation Management Update, January 2008 to May 2009
- 2007 Vegetation Management Plan
- Report to the Park Commission Meeting of December 11, 2006 [pdf].
- Table of invasive plant species in Bidwell Park [pdf]
- 2004 Bidwell Park Vegetation Management Plan
- Attachment A: Restoration of Chico’s Riparian Habitats
- A list of some useful weeding tools
- Summary of herbicides used since 1993
- Bidwell Park Golf Course Pesticide Usage
- Letter From Jim Brobeck to Chico Park Director Regarding Controlled Burns Near Alligator Hole
- Suggestions from Wes Dempsey Regarding Prescribed Burns in Upper Park — Nov. 21, 2000
- Vegetation Survey of Upper Bidwell Park: one year after 8/26/99 backfire, Wes Dempsey
- FOBP Letter to the Park Commission Stream and Preservation Committee regarding invasive weed control in the park
- Invasive horticultural plants of the Central Valley and recommendations for non-invasive alternative plants. Don’t Plant a Pest! [pdf]
- A poster, “Wanted (Dead, not Alive) Yellow Starthistle” [pdf]
- A 2008 report to the Park Commission on invasive plants in the park [PDF 19 Mb].
- Effects of Goat Browsing on Himalayan Blackberry [pdf], a report by Pheng T. Lee, CSU, Chico Research Foundation
- A map showing locations where the invasive shrub bladder senna has been found in the park
- A 2011 report on a privet removal project
- 2012 Bidwell Park Invasive Plants presentation [pdf]
- A page about puncturevine
Some web pages with information about invasive weeds:
- Butte County weed management program
- California Department of Food and Agriculture Noxious Weed Information Project
- California Invasive Plant Council
- The Nature Conservancy Wildland Invasive Species Team
- Center For Invasive Plant Management
- U.C. Davis Weed Research and Information Center
- California Department of Pesticide Regulation
- The No Ivy League
Erosion: The erosion of creek banks and along roads and trails is a serious problem in the park. More photos of trail erosion impacts can be seen on this page. The park has a wet weather management plan [pdf].
Fire in Upper Park: In August 1999, the entire area north of Upper Park Road was backfired to prevent the spread of an approaching wildfire. The long-term effect of this fire on park vegetation has never been studied. Most of the foothill pines and many of the oaks in the path of the fire have since died. There were several fires of undetermined origin during the summers of 2003 and 2004 in the Upper Park.
Invasive Vegetation Control: Much of the vegetation in the park is non-native. Some is very invasive, smothering out vegetation that is more beneficial for wildlife. Funding for removal of these invasive plants is very limited. See our vegetation management page for more information.
Olive Grove: There is an old olive grove south of the golf course in Upper Park. These olive trees are starting to spread up the watershed. Also, Butte County is facing a serious olive fruit fly problem and may require spraying or removal of these non-maintained trees.
Protected Species: Bidwell Park is known to contain a number of federal and state protected and threatened wildlife and plant species, and species of special concern. There are no comprehensive lists of plant and wildlife species in the park, except for a plant survey on the south side of Upper Park. No areas in the park have been designated as protected habitat.
Raptor Study: Several endangered raptor species are known to use Bidwell Park, but a comprehensive study of raptors in the park has never been done.
Regeneration of Oak and Sycamore Trees: Except for a few small areas, oak and sycamore trees are not regenerating in the park. Many of the large trees are approaching the end of their life spans.
Walnut Orchard in Lower Park: Until a few years ago, this area was mowed annually. Now that mowing has been stopped, this has become one of the few areas of the park where large-scale oak tree regeneration is occurring. However, because the walnut trees are still very visible (although declining in health and number), community members have occasionally proposed using this area for their pet project, such as a rose garden or a disc golf course.