Volunteers gathered Wednesday morning to help pull the invasive weed species known as policeman’s helmet from the banks of Circle Creek south of Seaside.

The North Coast Land Conservancy organizes these events in an effort to eradicate the weed, which chokes out native plant species and spreads seeds through moving water. The resilient weed was first found in the Necanicum River watershed in Clatsop County around six years ago.

The land conservancy is on the second year of their eradication efforts. Two years ago, the organization received an $86,000 grant from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board to fight the spread of the plant.