Volunteers spent Saturday plucking invasive plants from the Hassayampa River Preserve

The Hassayampa River Preserve near Wickenburg hosted its first invasive species removal event on Saturday in an effort to improve the preserve’s ecosystem and cut the risk of wildfires.

Members of the volunteer group Desert Defenders spent Saturday morning removing invasive plants found throughout the Hassayampa River Preserve.

Invasive species like stinknet, Sahara mustard and cattails choke out the native plants wildlife relies on, use more water and create a greater fire risk.

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Maricopa County Park Ranger Eric Hough led the effort along with the volunteer group. Hough said invasive species make up most of the undergrowth in the preserve.

"When these invasives take hold, they can really shift the whole ecosystem and the frequency of fire happening out there. So by doing this, we can try to make a dent in that," said Hough.

Arizona State University professor Liza Roger does research with her lab students in the riparian preserve every spring. She said invasive plant eradication efforts need to be ongoing.

"The same as in your garden, you need to trim the hedges, you need to mow the lawn. You need to take out the weeds. Well, the Preserve is the same. You can't just leave it to just live its own life," said Roger.

Maricopa County has hosted invasive species removals at other parks to support ongoing efforts.