Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness: base page

Noxious Weeds

Why the Big To Do about Weeds!!!!!!!

What is a noxious weed and why the Concern?

Originated off shore ie. Europe/Asia

Invasive, creates monoculture, forces out native species (Biodiversity of a putting green!)

No natural predators. No diseases to control

Wildlife loss of forage, cover and weather protection

Statistics:

Montana - spotted knapweed, Forage loss, Elk 50-90% 3 million acres

North Dakota Theo. Roosevelt N.P. - Leafy spurge Bison 83%, Deer/Elk 70%

Star thistle in the west has lost 8 million acres

Dept of Agriculture - 11 western states lost 10 millon acres on Prvt., State & Nat. F.

Colorado- 3,000 native species, 500 or 17% replaced by non native weeds

Control Measures:

Preventions

Cultural

Chemical - common but sometimes controversial

Biological

Mechanical

Summing it all up

Today we are where other states found themselves 10-15 years ago

Have great weed programs today, buy they waited too long

Lost millions of productive acres

WE CAN ILL AFFORD TO LET THIS HAPPEN

Colorado Strategic Plan to Stop Spread of Noxious Weeds- December 2001

Curb introduction of new Noxious species

Stop and contain species which are well established in State

Restore lands of exceptional Ag. and environmental value

 
EDUCATION   EDUCATION   EDUCATION   EDUCATION
 
NOXIOUS WEEDS ARE EVERYONES RESPONSIBILITY- TOWN/COUNTY/STATE/FEDERAL/PRIVATE
 
BE A WEED BUSTER AND PASS THE WORD:
 
"PULLING FOR COLORADO"  SATURDAY JULY 12, 2008 - 4 LOCATIONS FOR WEED PULLS 


Websites: www.cwma.org  Summit County Weeds
Other: Lisa Taylor 970-468-4218  Summit County Weed Coordinator
       John Taylor 970-262-5940  State Weed Board