Brought to you by the Missoula Brought to you by the Missoula Valley Land ManagersValley Land Managers

LEAVE NO WEEDSLEAVE NO WEEDS

Leave No Weeds PrinciplesLeave No Weeds Principles

• Be aware and prepareBe aware and prepare

• Camp and travel in weed free Camp and travel in weed free areasareas

• Pull and pack out weeds Pull and pack out weeds when possiblewhen possible

• Report weed infestationsReport weed infestations

What is a weed?What is a weed?• An unwanted plantAn unwanted plant

• This depends on your goals and valuesThis depends on your goals and values

What is a noxious weed?What is a noxious weed?

• A weed that the state and/or federal A weed that the state and/or federal government has identified as a serious government has identified as a serious threat- they must be controlledthreat- they must be controlled

• Not all natural area weeds are noxious Not all natural area weeds are noxious weedsweeds

Weeds: WhatWeeds: What’’s the Problem?s the Problem?

• These plants did not These plants did not evolve in this systemevolve in this system

• These plants did not come These plants did not come with natural controls such with natural controls such as insect predators, plant as insect predators, plant pathogens, and other pathogens, and other competing plantscompeting plants

• Grow rapidly and exclude Grow rapidly and exclude desirable native plant desirable native plant speciesspecies Missoula Hills TodayMissoula Hills Today

Economic and Ecological Economic and Ecological Problems with Weed InvasionsProblems with Weed Invasions

• Decrease the economic value of land and cropsDecrease the economic value of land and crops

• Increase soil erosion and sedimentationIncrease soil erosion and sedimentation

• Decrease fish habitatDecrease fish habitat

• Decrease forage for livestock and wildlifeDecrease forage for livestock and wildlife

• Displace native plant speciesDisplace native plant species

• Lower plant biodiversityLower plant biodiversity

• Affect recreational valueAffect recreational value

Increases Increases erosion into erosion into streams and streams and

riversrivers