It's Noxious Weed Awareness Week!
Noxious Weed Awareness Week is a week dedicated to raising awareness about the negative impacts of noxious weeds on agriculture, public health, and the environment. First, I would like to start by answering a question I get asked a lot, what is a noxious weed?
A weed is just a plant in the wrong place. But a noxious weed is a plant in the wrong place, originally adapted outside of North America, that has a legal designation due to its negative environmental and economic impact.
Find out what weeds are noxious by visiting MSU Extension or Montana Weed Control Association. You can also pick up a free noxious weed field guide at the Park County Extension office or the Livingston Farmers Market at the PCEC table. These are great to bring with you on hikes and walks around town– education is always the first step.
Preventing the spread of noxious weeds is our best defense to safeguard our wild and working lands. To prevent the spread of noxious weeds, it is important to properly dispose of any plant material that may contain weed seeds. Always check your clothes and shoes for seeds after outdoor activities. Be sure to dispose of seeds in the trash— DON’T PICK AND FLICK!
Check out our upcoming education and volunteer opportunities to stay informed and get involved!
Noxious Weed Education and Community Volunteer Opportunities
Wednesday’s 4-7pm— LIVINGSTON FARMERS MARKET: Come find us at the market to learn more about our work on weeds and get some great resources to help safeguard your property. This year, you can drop off your soil samples to be delivered to the Park County Extension Office. For more information email bethany@pcecmt.org.
July 7th 9am- 1pm– PARADISE VALLEY WEEDS EDUCATION FIELD DAY: Join us at the Bridger Hollow Rd. Picnic Area with our partners; Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group, Cooperative Weed Management Area, Park County MSU Extension and Natural Resource and Conservation Services. This event is for landowners and private pesticide applicators to learn more about weed identification, monitoring, and treating noxious weeds. Call Park County Extension Office (406)-222-4156 to register, lunch provided.
July 8th 8:30am– COMMUNITY WEED PULL: Join us at the Livingston Peak Trailhead with our partners; Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation, Forest Service, and Livingston Bike Club. This is one of Livingston’s most loved trails, so come help us protect it. We will have a brief identification and weed removal session before we head out to pull weeds, mostly Houndstongue. We will have gloves and clippers. Be sure to sign up here for this event, lunch is provided!
Aug 30th 9am-1pm—SHIELDS VALLEY WEEDS EDUCATION FIELD DAY: Join us in the Shields Valley with our partners; Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group, Cooperative Weed Management Area, Park County MSU Extension and Natural Resource and Conservation Services. This event is aimed towards large landowners and producers. More information on location and topics coming soon. Date could change. Call Park County Extension Office (406)-222-4156 to register.