Scientists like Barb Skye of the Desert Museum are hoping you can help them keep the native plants of the Sonoran Desert from being squeezed out by non-native plants. These invaders can turn an area that used to have hundreds of different plants into one that only has one. Such an area is called a monoculture. Plants that are not native to these parts arrive in many ways. Some were brought in to provide feed for cattle. Some were introduced as plants for people's yards, or introduced by accident because their seeds stuck to sacks of wheat and other goods brought from other parts of the world.

What can you do about it? You can help by getting rid of invasive plants in your own yard and by joining the Tucson Mountain Weedwackers, a club started by the Desert Museum. The Weedwackers go out on the weekends and pull up hundreds of non-native plants. It's hard work, but it's a great way to get some exercise and do your part to preserve the diversity of the Sonoran Desert. To join the club, call Barb Skye at 883-3009.

The sidebox describes some of the most common invasive plants that threaten the Sonoran Desert.

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