Manage Noxious Weeds
Noxious Weeds: A Threat to Our Land and Ecosystem
Noxious weeds refer to non-native plant species that aggressively invade and dominate natural areas, agricultural lands, and disturbed habitats. These plants possess invasive traits that enable them to outcompete native vegetation, often leading to the displacement of locally adapted plant species. Noxious weeds typically spread rapidly, excessively reproducing and colonizing vast areas if left unmanaged.
The threat posed by noxious weeds requires collaborative efforts from landowners, conservation organizations, and local communities. With the establishment of JCD's Noxious Weeds Management program, landowners who have previously collaborated with the organization on forestry projects can benefit from comprehensive support and guidance in combating these invaders. By taking proactive steps towards managing and controlling noxious weeds, we can safeguard the health of our land, protect native ecosystems, and nurture a more resilient natural environment for future generations.
A professional contractor sprays herbicide onto noxious weeds. The herbicide is mixed with blue dye, which helps the contractor keep track of which weeds have been sprayed.
Harmless Herbicides for a Safe Environment
The weed treatments that JCD manage primarily use herbicides. Unlike some insecticides that can be harmful to pollinators and toxic to humans, JCD's treatments use herbicides that are non-toxic to humans, pets, pollinators and fish when used as directed. These herbicides generally work by disrupting photosynthesis and thus have no effect on people or animals when used properly to treat weeds. JCD designs weed treatments according to the unique conditions on each property, taking into consideration water bodies, groundwater, livestock, gardens, crops, and specific landowner requests.
When trees are cut down, the tree canopy is opened up and more sunlight hits the forest floor. Soil disturbance also occurs during forestry work. As a result, both native species and non-native/exotic weeds will begin to grow. Some properties get weeds worse than others, especially when weeds are already on site or adjacent. Controlling weeds after the forestry work is done is critically important for achieving ecological goals of forest management, such as improved native plant communities, wildlife habitat, livestock forage, and soil health.
JCD’s Weed Management program is mainly for landowners with whom JCD has completed a forestry project. Jefferson Conservation District will hire and manage weed spraying contractors on behalf of the landowner. JCD typically finds funding to help landowners pay for one spraying per summer for the first 2-3 years after forestry work is complete. If the landowner is committed to spraying at least once during the first few years, long-term weed management will be much easier and cheaper!