Transcript Leave No Weeds

LEAVE NO WEEDS
Brought to you by the Missoula
Valley Land Managers
Leave No Weeds Principles
• Be aware and prepare
• Camp and travel in weed free
areas
• Pull and pack out weeds
when possible
• Report weed infestations
What is a weed?
• An unwanted plant
• This depends on your goals and values
What is a noxious weed?
• A weed that the state and/or federal
government has identified as a serious
threat- they must be controlled
• Not all natural area weeds are noxious
weeds
Weeds: What’s the Problem?
• These plants did not
evolve in this system
• These plants did not come
with natural controls such
as insect predators, plant
pathogens, and other
competing plants
• Grow rapidly and exclude
desirable native plant
species
Missoula Hills Today
Economic and Ecological
Problems with Weed Invasions
• Decrease the economic value of land and crops
• Increase soil erosion and sedimentation
• Decrease fish habitat
• Decrease forage for livestock and wildlife
• Displace native plant species
• Lower plant biodiversity
• Affect recreational value
Increases
erosion into
streams and
rivers