(51) Invasive Plants – The Role of Extension in Weed Management Areas

Sue Donaldson, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Reno, Nevada

Session: Concurrent session C3:  The Role of Extension in Community and Volunteer Programs - Part I

Natural resource extension professionals are leading the way in establishing, coordinating and expanding Invasive Weed Management Areas (WMA) in California and Nevada.  Extension leaders play a unique role in group and issues facilitation, administrative coordination and development of educational, outreach and training materials.  The WMA structure has proven to be an effective model to bring a variety of interest groups to the table to work collaboratively on this important natural resources protection issue.

Extension professionals are also instrumental in developing educational and training materials for a wide variety of audiences including building contractors and landscapers, recreationalists, gardeners, homeowners, farmers and ranchers, and on-the-ground road, utility, conservation and construction.  Successful programs include the “Don’t Plant a Pest” educational campaign for gardeners, landscapers and nurseries; best management practices for use during ground-disturbing activities and invasive weed identification workshops and field courses. These programs have been designed to meet the needs of a variety of audiences to continue to increase public awareness ---and action --- to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive weeds. 

Wendy West
University of California Cooperative Extension
311 Fair Lane
Placerville, California, 95667
Phone: 530-626-5078
FAX: 530-642-0803
wkwest@ucdavis.edu