The World

Invasion of the Invasives

Scientists and volunteers in Arizona’s Saguaro National Park are trying to keep non-native buffelgrass from taking over.

Buffelgrass, a non-native grass, is spreading like wildfire through Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona, threatening the park’s signature cacti and posing a fire threat to homes near the mountains. Jim Williams of station KUNM reports that scientists and volunteers are whacking away, trying to keep ahead of the relentless plant. (7:30)