Landowners learn about weed management

Landowners from around Flathead Valley gathered last night at Flathead Valley Community College to learn about weed management from local experts. Patricia McGlynn from Montana State University Agriculture Extension started the evening off with a presentation on how and why weeds colonize and behaviors to minimize spread. She was followed by Dawn LaFleur, Glacier National Park’s Integrated Pest Management Supervisory Biologist who enlightened us all on how to identify and manage invasive weeds on the landscape in bloom and pre-bloom. Kima Caddell, a plant science specialist at Montana Department of Agriculture, concluded the evening with an excellent presentation on integrated weed management including chemical alternative methods. Kat Pine from the Flathead Valley Weed Department and Linda Andersen from CHS were also available for consultation.

There are many resources in the valley to help landowners manage their weeds. If you missed this program and are interested in learning more please contact the following agencies.

Need Help Managing Your Weeds?

Flathead County Weed Department
For onsite weed identification and weed management plan assistance
Contact: (406) 758-5798
Katherine Pine, Education & Compliance Officer, weedscompliance@flathead.mt.gov

MSU Extension
Have questions about private applicator licenses and training? Or the Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Program?
Contact: (406) 758-5553
Patricia McGlynn, Agriculture Extension Agent, pmcglynn@montana.edu

Glacier National Park
Join the Park’s Invasive Plant Citizen Science Project which trains citizen scientists to detect and report the locations of targeted invasive plants in the backcountry. Citizen scientists learn how to identify five species of noxious weeds that are already well-established in the park as well as three additional watch-list species that have been found in locations near Glacier’s borders.
Contact: (406) 888-7864
Dawn LaFleur, Restoration Biologist, dawn_lafleur@nps.gov

CHS
A source for quality herbicides and weed control equipment
Contact: (406) 755-7400
Linda Andersen, Agronomist, linda.andersen@chsinc.com

MT Department of Agriculture
Need help finding a licensed commercial applicator? Is your current applicator licensed to apply in lawns, pastures, range or forests? Want to get licensed yourself? Have questions about any precautions you should consider?
Contact: (406) 257-9015
Kima T Caddell: Plant Science Specialist, kcaddell@mt.gov

Flathead National Forest
Have questions about weeds on public lands? Or biological control?
Contact: (406) 758-3510
Tris Hoffman, Weed Coordinator, tlhoffman@fs.fed.us

Flathead Conservation District
Interested in cost-share programs involving restoration of native plant communities or pest management and weed control?
Contact: (406) 752-4220
Valerie Kurth, vkurth@flatheadcd.org