Invasive Species in Sonoma County Regional Parks

There are 195 invasive plant species in the county, making up 8 percent of the total vegetative cover.  Regional Parks' staff and volunteer groups engage in regular efforts to control the most problematic weeds.

In many cases, these species were introduced as ornamental plants, but just because they are pretty, doesn’t mean they belong. Species such as acacia, eucalyptus, Scotch broom and European dune grass quickly overwhelm native vegetation and reduce habitat values for wildlife.

Sonoma County has more than 2,200 native plant species, 22 of which are endangered. Several plants are “endemic,” meaning they only occur here. Regional Parks partners with the California Native Plant Society to locate rare and threatened populations and protect them from invasive species.