National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Natural Resource Stewardship and Science

Invasive and Exotic Plant Management in Denali National 

Park and Preserve

2015 Summary Report

Natural Resource Report NPS/DENA/NRR—2016/1104
ON THE COVER

Top: SCA Alaska Corps Members and Interns group photo at Wonder Lake. 

Bottom Left: Hedysarum alpinum seed. Bottom Right: Rock Creek Revegetation project.
Invasive and Exotic Plant Management in Denali 

National Park and Preserve

2015 Summary Report

Natural Resource Report NPS/DENA/NRR—2016/1104

Cecilia Bedard, Andrew Smith

National Park Service

Denali National Park and Preserve 

P.O. Box 9

Denali Park, AK 99755

Wendy Mahovlic

National Park Service

Denali National Park and Preserve 

P.O. Box 9

Denali Park, AK 99755

January 2016

U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 

Fort Collins, Colorado
ii

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Please cite this publication as:

Bedard, C., W. Mahovlic, and A. Smith. 2016. Invasive and exotic plant management in Denali 

National Park and Preserve: 2015 summary report. Natural Resource Report NPS/DENA/NRR—

2016/1104. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

NPS 184/130993, January 2016
iii

Contents

Page

Figures............................................................................................................................................ iv

Tables............................................................................................................................................. iv

Abstract........................................................................................................................................... v

Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................ vi

Acronyms...................................................................................................................................... vii

Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 1

Methods........................................................................................................................................... 3

Site Selection ........................................................................................................................... 3

Mapping and Collecting Data .................................................................................................. 3

Invasive Species Surveys.......................................................................................................... 4

Manual Treatment................................................................................................................... 5

Chemical Treatment ................................................................................................................ 5

Role of EMPT............................................................................................................................ 5

Results............................................................................................................................................. 6

Overview.................................................................................................................................. 6

Species Specific accomplishments........................................................................................... 7

Revegetation and Need for seed............................................................................................. 9

Education and Outreach........................................................................................................ 10

Recommendations......................................................................................................................... 11

Appendix A: 2015 Volunteer Hours and Amount Treated........................................................... 12
iv

Figures

Page

Figure 1: SCA members preforming Dandelion surveys and devegetation along Park Road........ 4

Figure 2 : Wendy Mahovlic and Natalie Oberman manually treating Dandelions along the 

Denali Park Road ............................................................................................................................ 5

Figure 3: Hordeum jubatum along the Meadow Vista Trail........................................................... 8

Figure 4: Yellow and white sweetclover ........................................................................................ 8

Figure 6: SCA Alaska Corps members planting willow cutting along Moose Creek .................... 9

Figure 7: Natalie Onufer, Denali Park Volunteer, collecting Hedysarum alpinum seeds. ........... 10

Tables 

Page

Table 1. Summary of Denali National Park & Preserve Exotic Plant Management Team 

accomplishments............................................................................................................................. 6

Table 2. Species specific monitoring and treatment throughout the season ................................... 7
v

Abstract 

Throughout the 2015 summer season, the Exotic Plant Management Team (EPMT) working in 

Denali National Park and Preserve (DENA) acted to prevent the encroachment of 

invasive/exotic/alien species into the natural tundra of the park. The species most focused on were 

Taraxacum officinale, Hordeum jubatum, Crepis tectorum, Vicia cracca, Melilotus albus and a new 

species Descurainia sophia. Invasive species typically spread in areas frequently trafficked by 

people and vehicles and disturbed areas such as construction zones. For this reason the team focused 

most of their efforts on the front country, visitor center, trails and headquarters areas of the park 

where there is high human traffic and construction areas. The team also focused on sections of the 

park road including miles 17 to 42 and miles 70 to 92, and the Kantishna airstrip. In Denali National 

Park and Preserve, the preferred method of invasive species management is manual treatment (hand 

pulling). However, herbicide was used on some areas of Crepis tectorum, Vicia cracca, and 

Descurainia sophia. During this season, the EPMT also worked on a number of revegetation 

projects. These areas include: both sides of the Rock Creek culvert near the park headquarters (Mile 

3); a section of the park road near Eielson rest area (Eagle’s Nest – Mile 68); a man-made stream bed 

along Moose Creek/Eldorado Creek in the Kantishna area; mile 12.5 on the Park Rd. near the large 

culvert; Upper Hogan Creek (mile 20); the Wonder Lake Pump House (Mile 85); and the P640 

House in the Park Headquarters area. The work was completed by the Exotic Plant Management 

Team consisting of Wendy Mahovlic, the residing supervisor for EPMT and DENA Revegetation, 

Cecilia Bedard and Andy Smith, Student Conservation Association (SCA) interns, and a six person 

volunteer SCA core crew. The results of the 2015 work included 2225 pounds of pulled invasive 

plants along 47 miles of the Park Road; 65 pounds of uncleaned native seeds collected; 7 

revegetation projects completed and 2390 hours of volunteer help. Spatial data was collected on a 

Trimble GeoXT 2008 and corrected and edited on ArcGIS and Pathfinder Office programs. This data 

is utilized by the Regional National Park Service (NPS) office and contributes to the database 

available at the Alaska Exotic Plants Information Clearinghouse (AKEPIC) from the Alaska National 

Heritage Program (AKNHP).
vi

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following National Park Service employees for their contributions to 

the Exotic Plant Management Team in 2015: Wendy Mahovlic for her supervision and 

knowledge in restoration of native plant ecology throughout the park; Christopher Overbaugh 

from the Anchorage NPS office in his oversight of EPMT across the Alaskan National Parks;

Peter Frank for managing field data, technical support, and experience with EPMT; and Britta 

Schroeder for her GIS technical support at Denali National Park. We would also like to thank the 

SCA Alaska Corp group that worked with our program for five weeks; this group made the 

summer’s total amount of manual treatment of exotic plants possible. We would also like to 

thank our individual volunteers throughout the summer: Colleen Marinucci, Sue Salmons, 

Shawna Ashlock, Oliver Onufer, Natalie Onufer, and Anita Onufer. Without this vast support 

network, the EMPT would not have been nearly as successful as it was.
vii

Acronyms

AKNHP Alaska’s Natural Heritage Program 

AKEPIC Alaska Exotic Plants Information Clearinghouse

CORS Continuously Operating Reference Stations

CLA Concession Land Assessment

DENA Denali National Park and Preserve

EDRR Early Detection Rapid Response

EPMT Exotic Plant Management Team 

GIS Geographic Information System 

GPS Global Positioning System 

MSLC Murie Science and Learning Center

NFS Need For Seed 

NPS National Park Service 

SAGA Southeast Alaska Guidance Association 

SCA Student Conservation Association 

WWTP Waste Water Treatment Plant
1

Introduction

Denali National Park and Preserve is located along the George Parks Highway in the central, interior 

of Alaska. The park contains 6 million acres of wilderness which ranges in geography from boreal 

forests to alpine tundra along valleys, plains and hills leading to high mountains. Due to its high 

lattitude, tree line is only around 2000 to 2500 ft. Denali National Park is best known for Denali, the 

tallest mountain in the United States. The mountain stands at 20,310 feet in elevation and its 

impressive sight brings half a million tourists to the park each year. 

The park is also well known for its vast expanse of unspoiled wilderness. To maintain this 

wilderness, the park prohibits personal vehicles past mile 15 and there are very few established trails 

to scar the terrain. All of these tourists however, pass through the front entrance and visitor center 

potentially tracking invasive seeds with them, on their vehicles, clothes, packs and pets. For this 

reason the front country of the park is the most infested with invasive species. 

The park has only one road in and out. The Park Road runs from mile 1, the entrance to the park from 

the George Parks Highway, to mile 92, Kantishna and the Kantishna airstrip. A large amount of 

effort is put into removing invasive species from the two park airstrips to prevent planes from 

spreading the invasive plants out into the park. To get along the park road, visitors can purchase a 

ride on any one of the number of busses that drive down and back each day. These busses are a huge 

reason for the presence of invasive species further down the park road. In future seasons perhaps 

more effort should be put into removing invasive species from where the busses are parked for the 

night, where they pick up passengers and better attention should be put into their cleaning.

Invasive species also enter the park through contaminated soils from the surrounding area or cities 

like Fairbanks and Anchorage. It is important to regulate and minimize the transport of soils into the 

park, especially tainted soils. All participating parties must remain attentive and inspect any imported 

soil. This could be a focus to expand educational outreach. 

There are approximately 27 invasive species in Denali National Park which is considered a very 

small amount in comparison to the number of natural species. The most abundant invasive plant is 

Taraxacum officinale, or the common dandelion. While this plant is the most widespread, ranging 

from the park entrance to the end of the park road, it tends to be found only in the parking areas in 

the entrance of the park and along the park road itself. The park does not believe that this species 

poses a threat to the natural tundra of the park and is mostly treated to slow its reproduction and to 

maintain the most natural wilderness like appearance of the park. 

The other leading invasive species Hordeum jubatum, Crepis tectorum, Vicia cracca, and Melilotus 

albus, have been found only in the park entrance, visitor center, park headquarters, and outside of the 

park. These species are less abundant then the dandelion but do pose a great threat to the rest of the 

park because they would most likely survive and thrive in the acidic soil of the natural tundra. 

This year a new invasive species was identified within the park. Most likely entering the park in 

contaminated soil, Descurainia sophia, commonly called Flixweed, was found in last year’s (2014) 
2

mile 4 revegetation project, Sanctuary Hill revegetation project (Mile 24) and the Teklanika gravel 

pit at mile 28. The EMPT worked to eradicate this species from the areas it was found, yet there are 

concerns that it will begin to appear more in future seasons in other revegetation projects using the 

same soil source – the Teklanika (Tek) pit. 

The EPMT, along with removing invasive species from the park, is responsible for revegetating 

completed reconstruction areas. Revegetation not only improves the aesthetics of the site but helps 

prevent invasive species from taking root. To assist with revegetation, native seeds are collected from 

areas within the park, cleaned and redistributed to the project sites. 

This season the Exotic Plant Management Team consisted of Wendy Mahovlic, the residing 

supervisor for EPMT and DENA Revegetation and two Student Conservation Association Interns,

Cecilia Bedard and Andy Smith. They were supported in their efforts by visiting volunteers and a six 

person volunteer SCA core crew. Unlike in years past with multiple alternating SCA and SAGA 

crews, the team worked with only one SCA crew returning five times during the season. 

Volunteer help with invasive species is always appreciated and perhaps in future seasons the EMPT 

in Denali could work to establish an educational talk or brochure to be passed around to visitors and 

locals living in the park and surrounding area. There could also be a day established for people from 

surrounding areas to come into the park and help remove invasive species. 
3

Methods 

Site Selection

The Denali EPMT staff uses the Alaska Natural Heritage Program’s (AKNHP) invasive ranking 

system to prioritize which invasive plants have the potential to spread throughout the park. This scale 

rates invasive plants 1-100 in their impacts on the local and regional ecosystem and the potential for 

it to spread and create disturbance. Utilizing the AKNHP ranking system as a guide and GPS data 

collected over the past ten years, EPMT members determine which species to monitor and where 

they are growing. All invasive species populations, in Denali or along the George Parks Highway, 

are mapped using Trimble GeoXT GPS units and processed using Microsoft Pathfinder and ArcGIS.

Denali National Park and Preserve has only one road to serve as the access point for vehicles into the 

Park. Referred to as the Denali Park Road, the road is 92 miles from the George Parks Highway 

entrance to the historic mining settlement Kantishna. Denali National Park and Preserve has a traffic 

bottle neck caused by the single road in the park and driving restrictions placed on visitors. The first 

three miles of the park road are coined the “Front Country or Entrance Area.” The Front Country is 

the largest concentration of human impact and presence throughout the entire park. Made up of the 

Denali Visitor Center, Wilderness Access Center, Waste Water Treatment Plant, Riley Creek 

Campground, Post Office, Mercantile, Backcountry Information Center, Murie Science and Learning 

Center, Power Plant, Park Headquarters, Sled Dog Kennels, and structures unknown to the public 

like employee housing, maintenance facilities, and Bus Depot, all of which are monitored by the 

EPMT. 

The road is paved from the entrance to the mile 15 at the bridge over Savage River. Once past mile

15, the road is unpaved and graded. The Denali Front Country is the area focused on most for

monitoring and removal of invasive plant species from the park road. These 3 miles of park road are 

heavily monitored due to the high volume of traffic and the potential vectors that will further 

invasive plants to spread into the park. Past mile 15 only Park Service vehicles; shuttle buses, service 

vehicles, and construction equipment are permitted to drive the road. These vehicles are the largest 

vector for invasive species growing along the park road corridor. 

To prevent additional invasive species coming into the park, EPMT members use an Early Detection

Rapid Response (EDRR) approach. By using EDRR to find, treat, and monitor invasive plants in the 

park as well as along the Park’s Highway invasive plants are kept in check. EPMT members monitor 

invasive plants along the George Parks Highway (Mile 230 – 239) to treat emerging infestations

before they have a chance to take hold and spread into the park. 

Mapping and Collecting Data

Each area of the front country is inspected or treated for invasive plants and are mapped using GPS. 

Data collected from years previous set the groundwork to keep an ongoing and up to date history of 

invasive species transmission, inside of the park. Areas surveyed are recorded as either monitored, 

inventoried, or treatment. Inventory is a new survey location that has no history or invasive species. 

Monitoring is returning to an area that as previously been surveyed. Treatment is the bulk of surveys 

completed, in the park. 
4

Alaska Natural Heritage Program (AKNHP) provides information through the Alaska Exotic Plants 

Information Clearinghouse (AKEPIC) which makes different data available for public use. 

Furthermore, the AKNHP ranks each species and provides a framework for prioritizing plant 

treatment. 

Invasive Species Surveys 

Historic GPS data is the most important 

starting point for all surveys of invasive 

species. Denali National Park and 

Preserve has the unique opportunity to 

control the spread of invasive species 

throughout the park. This is mainly due to 

the remote location of the park and 

limited travel on the park road to park 

vehicles. The two main survey types are 

Crepis Sweeps (Crepis tectorum) and 

Dandelion pulls (Taraxacum officinale). 

Taraxacum officinale, has always been 

the main focus of park EPMT activities, 

working to prevent rapid spread of 

seedlings along the park road. Currently

Taraxacum officinale is abundant along the first three miles of the Park road and the gravel road 

shoulders are suitable for growth even farther. 

The dandelion infestation is the most widespread invasive species within the park boundaries and is 

treated throughout the summer. At the beginning of the season, it is the first invasive species to 

bloom making it the first target. Ideally, the taproots are removed before the plant goes to seed. 

Constant vigilance is needed to prevent the spread further into the park and along the gravel bars of 

Denali’s braided rivers. 

The second survey targets Crepis tectorum, or Narrowleaf hawksbeard, a highly invasive species 

inside the park ranking 51 on the AKEPIC invasiveness scale. Crepis sweeps start at the end of June 

as it begins to bloom. Historically, EPMT began removing C. tectorum from the park in summer 

2006. Is flower spreads similarly to the common dandelion, but it grows taller and narrower, with a 

short taproot and a slender stalk. It is part of the aster family and consists of a 1-2 centimeter 

flowering head with broad yellow leaves. It is most effective to manually treat certain areas in the 

park in late June because it is difficult to spot when it is not in bloom. Crepis sweeps include both 

sides of the Park Road from the Waste Water Treatment Plant, into Riley Creek Campground Road, 

and into the Aramark Bus and Employee Parking Lots and between the Denali Visitor Center and 

Park Road. 

Because this species is relatively new to Denali National Park and Preserve and has aggressively 

advanced up the park road, it is crucial to do the sweeps on a weekly basis to prevent spread. This 

Figure 1: SCA members preforming Dandelion 

surveys and devegetation along Park Road
5

species should be sought out specifically near disturbed areas such as construction sites or areas 

where buses frequently stop.

Manual Treatment

Manual treatment is the preferred and primary treatment method done by Denali’s EPMT. The 

manual treatment of invasive species is performed by 

hand or using a tool such as a dandelion digger. The 

plant must be removed with as much of the root as 

possible otherwise it will grow back next season. All 

of the invasive plants pulled are stored in heavy duty 

plastic bags so they do not spread seeds or organic 

matter after pulled. The pulled plants are burned in the 

winter.

Manual treatment should be done before the plant goes

to seed. Manual treatment of invasive species within 

the park is not going to completely eradicate invasive 

species from the park. This treatment method serves more as a constraining process to curb the 

spread of invasive plants into in new areas. 

Chemical Treatment 

A small number of infested areas are treated with herbicides throughout the park. Alaska requires any 

chemical application to be carried out by a certified applicator. 

Role of EMPT

Denali’s EPMT for 2015 was made up of three people, one full time NPS employee and two SCA 

interns. The EPMT worked to control invasive species populations of Taraxacum officinale, Crepis 

tectorum, Melilotus alba, and Descurainia sophia. The second duty of the EPMT is to assist with the 

revegetation of construction sites and other disturbed areas with native species. These projects need 

to be completed earlier in the summer to allow the seed time to germinate, creating enough of a root 

system to survive the winter and prevent erosion of the soil from spreading into the wilderness.

Figure 2 : Wendy Mahovlic and Natalie 

Oberman manually treating Dandelions 

along the Denali Park Road

 

 

 
6

Results

Overview

In the 2015 season, the Denali EPMT staff inventoried 73.55 acres of the park. 5.66 acres were 

infested with invasive species and of those infested acres, 4.71 species acres were treated shown 

below in Table 1. As stated previously, the majority of Denali’s infestations occur in the front 

country.

Table 1. Summary of Denali National Park & Preserve Exotic Plant Management Team accomplishments.

Year

EPMT 

Personnel Volunteer Crews Total 

Person 

Field 

Hours

Invasive GPS Data

NPS Lands(non-NPS lands)

# 

pers.

Field 

Hours # pers. Field hours Species Acres Surveyed

Species Acres 

Infested* Acres Treated

2004 1 39 1 25 64 2.553 (6.557) 0.934 (6.557) 0.450 (0.035)

2005 1 224 8 544 768 16.713 (2.321) 12.877 (1.531) 3.261 (0.186)

2006 1 454 8 679 1,133 750.3131 (2.958) 16.866 (0.349) 10.211 (0.121)

2007 22 743 16 1,173 1,916 805.9511 (7.826) 11.329 (0.301) 8.368 (0.289)

2008 22 626 10 454 1,080 741.6871 (11.982) 12.750 (7.968) 11.051 (0.649)

2009 22 571 5 385 956 749.4591 (4.210) 20.437 (0.317) 11.370 (0.317)

2010 33 1,893 16 2,560 4,453 159.034 (35.245) 16.766 (2.616) 14.125 (2.586)

2011 34 764 3 143 907 290.592 (23.395) 29.348 (7.228) 10.290 (2.010)

2012 22 478 35 912 1390 61.872 (6.397) 19.108 (2.366) 10.519

2013 22 500 27 980 1480 118.85 (8.3) 5.783 (1.89) 4.56 (.461)

2014 22 443 14 337 780 80.33 (0.23) 6.24 (0.04) 0.84 (0.03)

2015 33 1040 14 1350 2390 73.55 (0.41) 5.66 (0.03) 4.71 (0.03)

1 Acres infested represent the area of a mapped infestation multiplied by the percent cover of invasive plants in that mapped area.

2 Acres treated represent the area of a mapped infestation multiplied by the percent cover of invasive plants in that mapped area and by the 

percent of the infestation treated.

1

-This acreage includes the actual road surface of the Denali Park Road.

2

-Includes one SCA intern

3

-Includes two SCA interns

4

-Includes one SCA intern and one international SCA intern
7

Species Specific accomplishments 

During the 2015 season, the Denali EPMT staff treated 7 species in and out of the park. Table 2, 

shown below outlines the species, its invasiveness ranking and location, the acres inventoried, 

and acres treated

Table 2. Species specific monitoring and treatment throughout the season

Latin Name Common Name AKEPIC 

Rank Location* Acres Infested

Acres 

Treated

Crepis tectorum Narrowleaf 

hawksbeard 56 F, HC, PH, PK, TD 1.61 1.59

Descurainia sophia Flixweed 41 F, TK, PK 2.21 1.76

Hordeum jubatum Foxtail barley 63 F, PH, PK, TD 0.28 0.28

Melilotus alba White sweetclover 81 F, PH, TD *.032 *.032

Melilotus officinalis Yellow 

sweetclover 69 PK *.0002 *.0002

Taraxacum officinale 

ssp. Officinale

Common 

dandelion 58 F, FQ, HC, PH, 

PK, TD 1.60 1.12

Vicia cracca Bird vetch 73 F, FQ, PH, PK, 

TD .004 .004

F = front country, FQ=Fannie Quigley’s Cabin, HC=Kantishna horse corral, PH = George Parks 

Highway (AK Route 3), PK = park road, and TD = train depot, TK= Teklanika pit. 

* Significant population on private property

1 Acres infested represent the area of a mapped infestation multiplied by the percent cover of invasive 

plants in that mapped area.

2 Acres treated represent the area of a mapped infestation multiplied by the percent cover of invasive 

plants in that mapped area and by the percent of the infestation treated.

Narrowleaf Hawksbeard (Crepis tectorum); Keeping with past management practices, C. tectorum

was encountered and treated with herbicide in the Waste Water Treatment Facility. The infestation 

has been decreasing over the years but still remains a threat to the park. During 2015 the EMPT was 

accompanied by a 6 person SCA crew and two other volunteers and pulled 105 pounds of C. 

tectorum over a total of 40 hours. Previous herbicide treatment has been effective in this area. 

Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): This is the most abundant invasive species in the park 

and it is most often pulled from along the park road, the visitor center, C-camp, the Shaffer Building, 

and the Wilderness Access Center (WAC) and the Riley Creek Mercantile. Over the course of the 

season, approximately 621 pounds of dandelions were pulled by the two SCA interns, the supervisor, 

and the six person SCA crew. 

Bird Vetch (Vicia cracca): This is a particularly invasive species. Vicia cracca can be identified by 

its legume-like qualities and its blue-purple flowers. This plant likes to grow on top of and strangle 

other species. This season it was found at the Denali Education Center (Mile 231 George Parks 

Highway), the Historic Generator building (Mile 1.5 Park Rd.), C-Camp parking lot (a new location 

for this species – Mile 3 Park Rd.), the State pull out at mile 238 George Parks Highway, 2 locations 
8

Figure 4: Yellow and white sweetclover

in front of the McKinley Chalet (Glitter Gulch – Mile 238 George Parks Highway), at Mile 231.75 

George Parks Highway, and at Mile 240 George Parks Highway. Two-hundred pounds of Bird Vetch 

was pulled from the above locations, including a fair amount of soil. 

Foxtail Barley (Hordeum jubatum): While the nativity of this species is in debate, the Denali EPMT 

treats the plant as invasive. The plant can be identified by 

its maroon and green coloring and soft look. When going 

to seed, the plant stiffens and the seeds themselves 

become very dangerous for dogs and other animal 

species. This season, the plant was pulled from the Ccamp and Shaffer Building areas, the Waste Water 

Treatment Facility, and along the park road in 

conjunction with the Crepis sweeps. 520 pounds of 

Foxtail was pulled in various locations and approximately 

50 hours was spent pulling it up.

White and Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus albus, M. 

officinalis): The Melilotus species are not often spotted 

within the park. It is a large concern for the park 

because it of its abundance along the George Parks 

Highway leading towards and away from the park. 

This season it was specifically pulled from areas along 

the Canyon (Glitter Gulch) approximately mile 239 to 

237 of the George Parks Highway. It was also pulled 

from mile 231 of the Highway at the entrance to Denali 

Village. In total 24 pounds of Melilotus was pulled by 

the EPMT and a 6 person SCA crew over the course of 

about 7 hours. 

Flixweed (Descurainia sophia): This species was found for the first time this year and most likely 

entered through contaminated soil brought to the Teklanika Pit. It is a member of the mustard family 

and is recognized by its tall single stalk, blue-gray-green skinny tripinnate leaves and yellow 

inflorescences. This plant looks very similar to the native species, but can be differentiated by the 

location of the siliques. In the native mustard, the siliques grow from the inflorescence where as in 

the non-native, it grows below the inflorescence. This plant should be considered a high priority in 

future seasons due to its surprising abundance. Seven-seven hundred and fifty-five pounds of 

Flixweed was pulled up in the Tek Pit and various reveg projects over 81 hours. 

Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris): While not sought out or encountered this season, Linaria 

vulgaris is a problem invasive species for the park. In seasons past it has mostly been found around 

the train tracks where the north bound and south bound train engines rest at the station. In the 2016 

season, a survey should be done of the area to look for and manage the species. 

Figure 3: Hordeum jubatum along the 

Meadow Vista Trail
9

Figure 6: SCA Alaska Corps members planting 

willow cutting along Moose Creek

Revegetation and Need for seed 

This season, the EPMT worked on seven different revegetation projects. These projects were at the 

Rock Creek culvert - the north and south side (Mile 3.3 Park Rd.), the residence P-640 at mile 3.4

Park Rd., Moose Creek/Eldorado Creek (Mile 90 Park Rd.) willow stake planting, “Eagles Nest” at 

mile 68 Park Rd., Mile 12.5 Park Rd., and Upper Hogan Creek (Mile 20 Park Rd.) and the Wonder 

Lake Pump House (Mile 85). All seven revegetation projects were to help the affected areas recover 

after maintenance and construction. 

To revegetate the areas the team used native seeds 

collected from within a 20 mile radius of each location. 

The seed mix included these species - Wheatgrass 

(Elymus sp.), Milk vetch (Oxytropis campestris),

Eskimo potato (Hedysarum alpinum), Leymus innovatus, 

and Poa alpina. Revegetation is often used to help retain 

soil stability. For this purpose a non-native grass 

species, annual rye (Lolium multiflorum), is used 

because it grows roots immediately to stabilize the soil, 

but often times it does not grow back the next season so 

it does not crowd out the native species. A slow release 

fertilizer was also used on all revegetation projects. 

The seeds used for revegetation are a product of the Need for Seed program implemented every year. 

This program takes place in a single day or over a series of days each season. The EPMT 

accompanied by the SCA crew and any other volunteers collect viable seeds from multiple areas 

along the park and the George Parks highway. These seeds are then set out to dry, cleaned, and stored 

for later use. 

Figure 5: SCA Alaska Corp member 

spreading native seeds along mile 12 of 

Park Road
10

Along with spreading native seeds the EPMT worked on a revegetation project involving freshly cut 

willow stakes of the species Salix alaxensis. These stakes were cut from willows along Moose Creek

in Kantishna, and planted along a new, manmade 

stream bed (the continuation of Eldorado Creek) in 

the same area. This project took place the week of 

June 15th and involved the EPMT and the SCA 

volunteer crew. Willow stakes were cut 

approximately 25-45cm in length, and 1.0-2.5 cm in 

diameter. Planting included digging shallow holes at 

approximately 45 degree angles, allowing 

approximately 5-8cm of the cutting to protrude from 

the soil. Agriform fertilizer tablets were planted

close to, but not touching, each stake. Each stake 

was then thoroughly watered. During the 2016 

season the stakes should be checked to see it rooting 

and regrowth has occurred. 

At the East end of the park the EPMT collected seeds from miles 241 and 231.75 on the George 

Parks Highway during the weeks of July 6th and 13th. These locations are great for collecting 

Hedysarum alpinum as well as Arnica frigida. Hedysarum alpinum, Oxytropis campestris and Poa 

alpina, were collected from the Shaffer Building and the C-Camp area during the week of July 13th. 

Need for seed was conducted at the West end of the park over the week of August 17th. The EPMT,

assisted by the SCA crew and three other volunteers, collected seeds from the Toklat rest area, mile 

62, Eielson Visitor Center, the Eielson Bluffs, mile 72, along the road leading to the Wonder Lake 

Campgrounds, along the McKinley Bar, as well as along the road leading to Kantishna and the 

Kantishna airstrip. Mile 62, specifically, is a great source for Arnica lessingii seeds. At all other 

locations, seeds from the species Leymus innovatus (fat cat), Elymus sp. (wheat grass), 

Calamagrostis canadensis, Aster sibericus, Oxytropis campestris, and Hedysarum alpinum were 

collected. 

Education and Outreach

There were no defined education or outreach programs implemented during the 2015 summer season. 

Any public education on invasive species within the park was done through the interns or volunteers 

working in the field and answering the questions of passing inquisitive visitors. 

The 2015 EPMT suggests more effort be put into educating the public on what invasive plants are 

most prevalent within the park and how to avoid tracking them into un-infested areas. Team 

members are frequently asked questions while working and it would be good to keep a pictorial 

guide handy that identifies which species in the park are invasive. 

Large concerns for the EPMT are the invasive species that could easily move from the outside area 

along the George Parks Highway into the park. The best way to manage invasive species outside of 

the park is to work in conjunction with the hotels, resorts and concessions along the highway near the 

Figure 7: Natalie Onufer, Denali Park 

Volunteer, collecting Hedysarum alpinum

seeds.
11

Denali Nation Park and Preserve entrance. Wendy Mahovlic, the EPMT supervisor, should discuss 

with each hotel, resort and concession’s landscaper or maintenance crew how to identify and remove 

invasive species from their respective properties. It is advised that a program is developed in future 

seasons that facilitates this discussion. 

Educating the public, the visitors and the locals, on how to identify and remove or prevent the spread 

of invasive species, is important in helping the EPMT in eradicating invasive species from the park. 

Recommendations

Revegetation photos should be taken in the 2016 season of the four projects seeded by the team 

during the 2014 season. These areas include the two areas near the Shaffer Building, along Rock 

Creek Trail, mile four of the Park Road and the area near Sanctuary River along the Park Road. 

The area on mile 68 of the park road known as “Eagles Nest” which was a previous disturbance area 

should be monitored for invasive species beginning in early summer as well as the success of native 

plant revegetation. 

Continue Crepis tectorum sweeps along the park road from the post office to the Wilderness Access 

Center, the revegetation mound near the George Parks Highway and the west and east side trees. 

Include in future sweep the area by historic power plant building as this season Crepis tectorum was 

found there for the first time. Also look for Vicia cracca in this area. Along with the sweeps monitor 

the resurgence of Crepis tectorum in the waste water treatment facility across from the post office; 

this is the origin of the invasive species into the park. Measures including the use of herbicide sprays 

should be taken to help eradicate the species from the park. 

Due to the high motor vehicle traffic and bus movement, herbicide should be applied to any dense 

Taraxacum officinale populations near the MSLC as well as the concessions and park bus parking 

and cleaning areas. This area poses a great threat of helping to spread dandelion seeds onto the rest of 

the park road. 

Monitor the Rock Creek culvert revegetation project for introduction of invasive species especially 

Descurainia sophia (Flixweed) and success of native seed growth. Pictures of the area should be 

taken in the 2017 season to determine the progress of regrowth. Due to high rain washout and soil 

degradation while this area was revegetated consider revegetating the area again if needed.

Monitor mile four and mile 24 (Sanctuary Hill) revegetation sites as well as the Teklanika gravel and 

construction pit for the regrowth of Descurainia sophia. Re-apply herbicide spray to the Teklanika 

pit area if the infestation becomes extreme again. If too extreme, considerations and preparations 

should be taken to close down the pit or cease the removal of contaminated soil from the area for use 

in maintenance and revegetation areas, until Descurainia sophia is eradicated.
12

Appendix A: 2015 Volunteer Hours and Amount Treated

Dandelion Deveg and Reveg – East End – June 8 - 11, 2015

• 6 SCA (Student Conservation Association) Volunteers; 2 SCA (Student Conservation 

Association) interns.

• 320 hours

o Mile 17 – 43 Park Rd.: 115 lbs. of dandelions 

o Mile 4 Reveg: 55 lbs. of Descurainia sophia (22.5 hrs.)

o Sanctuary Hill Reveg (Mile 24): 65 lbs. of Descurainia sophia (11.25 hrs.)

o Teklanika Pit (Mile 27): 450 lbs. of Descurainia sophia (32 hrs.)

o Mile 3 – Rock Creek Bridge – Reveg – planted native seeds, fertilizer, and 

annual rye.

o Mile 3.1 – P640 House – Reveg - planted native seeds, fertilizer, and annual 

rye.

Dandelion Deveg and Reveg – West End – June 15 - 18

• 6 SCA volunteer crew and 2 SCA intern

• 320 hours

o Mile 70-92 Park Rd.: 170 lbs. of dandelions dug

o Mile 68 – Eagle’s Nest – Reveg – planted native seeds, fertilizer, and annual 

rye.

o Mile 90 – Eldorado/Moose Creek – Reveg – planted annual rye, fertilizer and 

willow stakes

Invasive Eradication and Need for Seed collection – July 13 – 16

• 5 SCA volunteers; 1 SCA intern; 1 volunteer

• 250 hours

• Removed some of the old Mile 4 silt fence

• Cleaned native seeds – 35 hours

• Collected native seeds – Lupinus arcticus, Poa alpina

• Mile 1 – 3 Park Rd. and Mile 238 – 231 Parks Highway. Pulled Crepis tectorum, 

Melilotus albus, Hordeum jubatum, Vicia cracca, and Taraxacum officinalis.

• 685 lbs.

• Teklanika Pit (Mile 27): 85 lbs. of Descurainia sophia (49 hours).

Need for Seed – East End – Aug. 10 – Aug. 13

• 6 SCA volunteers; 2 SCA interns; 3 volunteers

• 350 hours

• Collected 37 lbs. of Hedysarum alpinum, Elymus sp., Leymus innovatus, Oxytropis 

campestris. Uncleaned seeds.

• Mile 12.5 – Reveg – planted native seeds, fertilizer, and annual rye (40 hrs.).

• Mile 24 (Upper Hogan Creek) – Reveg - planted native seeds, fertilizer, and annual 

rye (16 hrs.).

Need for Seed – West End – Aug. 17 – Aug. 22

• 6 SCA volunteers; 2 SCA interns; 2 volunteers; 1 NPS

• 440 hours

• 28 lbs. of Hedysarum alpinum, Elymus sp., Leymus innovatus, Arnica lessingii, 

Oxytropis campestris, Calamagrostis canadensis. Uncleaned seeds.
13

• Mile 85 – Wonder Lake Pump House – Reveg - planted native seeds and 

fertilizer (9 hrs.).

SCA Intern – Cecilia Bedard – May 18 - Aug. 28

• 1 volunteer

• 545 hours

• Pulled many invasive plants and mapped them with a GPS. Participated and 

assisted with Dande Deveg East and West, Invasive Eradication in July, and Need 

for Seed East and West. She also cleaned many native seeds.

SCA Intern – Andy T. Smith – May 18 – Sept. 4 

• 1 volunteer

• 475 hours

• Pulled many invasive plants and mapped them with a GPS. Participated and assisted 

with Dande Deveg East and West, Invasive Eradication in July, and Need for Seed East 

and West. He also cleaned many native seeds.

SCA CREW VOLUNTEERS = 6 members x 5 weeks x 40 hrs. /week = 1200 hours

SCA INTERNS = 2 interns = 1040 hours

OTHER VOLUNTEERS = 8 volunteers for 150 volunteer hours

TOTAL = 16 VOLUNTEERS FOR 2390 HOURS

INVASIVES ERADICATED - TOTALS 

Taraxacum officinale (dandelions): 621 lbs. – found mainly mile 1-43 Park Rd. and mile 72 -

92 Park Rd. 

Crepis tectorum (narrowleaf hawksbeard): 105 lbs. – found mainly in the Old Sewage 

Lagoon; along mile 1 of the Park Rd. and ARAMARK bus parking lot. Some also found in the 

recently reveged areas at Mile 237.25 Parks Hwy.

Melilotus alba (tall white sweetclover): 24 lbs. – found mainly at Mile 238 and Mile 231Parks 

Hwy.

Vicia cracca (bird vetch): 200 lbs. (LOTS of dirt) – found Mile 240 George Parks Hwy; Mile 

231.75 Parks Hwy and Denali Education Center. Sprayed herbicide on 5 small populations Mile 

1 Park Rd. in 2012. Only 1 of those populations reappeared in 2014.

Descurainia sophia (Flixweed): 755 lbs. – found mainly at the Teklanika Pit (Mile 28) and in 

the recently revegetated areas of Mile 4 and Sanctuary Hill (Mile 24).

Tripleurospermum perforate (scentless false mayweed): 0 lbs. – was found at the Railroad 

tracks – Denali Depot and Shaffer Bldg. in 2012. 

Linaria vulgaris (yellow toadflax): 0 lb. – was found at the Railroad tracks - Denali Depot

Hieracium umbellatum (narrowleaf hawkweed): 0 lbs. – was found at Mile 231.75 

Hordeum jubatum (foxtail barley): 520 lbs. – found scattered Mile 1 – 2 Park Rd.; in recently 

reveged areas – Shaffer Bldg., Mile 237.25 Parks Hwy., CLA Bldg., Kennels Road; Mountain 

Vista Rest Area – Mile 12.75 Park Rd.

Trifolium pratense (red clover): 0 lbs. – was found at Mile 1 Park Rd.

Lupinus polyphyllus (bigleaf lupine): 0 lbs. – was found at Mile 7 pull-out Park Rd. 

Silene noctiflora (night-blooming cockle): 0 lbs. – Kantishna Horse Corral in 2012.

Galeopsis bifida (Hempnettle): 0 lb. – was found at Kantishna Horse Corral

TOTAL Invasives pulled = 2225 lbs.
14

2015 STATS –

Exotic Plant Management Team (EPMT) staff surveyed: 74.16 acres 

Infested with invasive plants: 5.69 acres

EPMT staff treated: 4.74 acres

NATIVE SEEDS COLLECTED

East End:

Hedysarum alpinum: 14 lbs.

Oxytropis campestris: 12 lbs.

Elymus sp.: 9 lbs.

Leymus innovatus: 2 lbs. 

TOTAL = 37 LBS.

West End:

Hedysarum alpinum: 3 lbs.

Oxytropis campestris: 3 lbs.

Elymus sp.: 12 lbs.

Leymus innovatus: 5 lbs.

Calamagrostis canadensis: 3 lbs.

Arnica lessingii: 1 lb.

Delphinium glaucum: .5 lbs.

Aster sibericus: .5 lbs. 

TOTAL = 28 LBS.

Native seeds collected (uncleaned) total = 65 lbs.

Areas revegetated by planting native seeds = 2.10 acres:

• Rock Creek Bridge - Mile 3 – 6 SCA and 2 SCA interns assisted in planting and raking 

native seeds, fertilizer, and annual rye.

• P640 House – Mile 3.1 - 2 SCA interns assisted in planting and raking native seeds, 

fertilizer, and annual rye.

• Eagle’s Nest – Mile 68 - 2 SCA interns assisted in planting and raking native seeds, 

fertilizer, and annual rye. 

• Eldorado/Moose Creek - Mile 90 – 6 SCA and 2 SCA interns assisted in planting, and 

raking annual rye. Also planted willow stakes.

• Mile 12.5 – 6 SCA and 2 SCA interns assisted in planting and raking native seeds, 

fertilizer and annual rye.

• Upper Hogan Creek – Mile 24 - 6 SCA and 2 SCA interns assisted in planting and raking 

native seeds, fertilizer and annual rye.

• Wonder Lake Pump House – Mile 85 – 6 SCA assisted in planting native seeds and 

fertilizer.

The Department of the Interior protects and manages the nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific 

and other information about those resources; and honors its special responsibilities to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and 

affiliated Island Communities.

NPS 184/130993, January 2016
National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Natural Resource Stewardship and Science

1201 Oakridge Drive, Suite 150

Fort Collins, CO 80525

www.nature.nps.gov

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