Invasive Plant SpeciesPlan of Work

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Gallatin County CES

Title:
Invasive Plant Species
MAP:
The Environment and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Hull
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Forestry Industry Education
Situation:
Many species of non-native plants are running rampant over the fields and forests of Gallatin County and the state as a whole. Not only is there a cost to landowners in control measures and reduced land productivity, but public and private recreational opportunities and experiences have become severely degraded by rapid infestations of invasive species, in many cases hampering access, reducing recreational quality and enjoyment, and decreasing the aesthetic values of public lands.
Long-Term Outcomes:
- Decreased public and private acreage impacted by various invasive plant species
- Protocols in place to prevent further spread of invasive plants
Intermediate Outcomes:
- Private landowners and public workers will survey and mark areas on their properties impacted by invasive plant species
- Control measures will be used to combat invasive plants
Initial Outcomes:
- Private landowners and public workers will be able to identify various species of invasive plants
- Private landowners and public workers will understand how these invasive plants initially became established
- Private landowners and public workers will understand control measures needed to combat the spread of invasive plants
Evaluation:
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Those affected able to identify invasive plant species and appropriate control measures
Method: Written and verbal evaluation tools
Timeline: 1 - 3 months

Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Number of property surveys indicating impacted areas and controls used
Method: Map survey tabulation
Timeline: 3 - 6 months

Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Decrease acreage impacted by invasive plant species
Method: Map survey tabulation
Timeline: 12 - 18 months
Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Private landowners, county employees, and park boards

Project or Activity: Identification of Invasive Plants program

Content or Curriculum: Farm and park walks

Inputs: Private landowner cooperators, UK publications, agent led

Date: April 2018


Audience: Private landowners, county employees, and park boards

Project or Activity: Combatting Invasive Plants program

Content or Curriculum: Classroom program outlining mechanical and chemical control options for controlling invasive plants

Inputs: UK publications, plant samples, examples of control equipment and chemicals, agent led

Date: February 2018


Audience: Private landowners, county employees, and park boards

Project or Activity: Private and public land surveys

Content or Curriculum: County developed mapping system

Inputs: GPS software and data sources, large format printing, agent prepared materials

Date: March 2018



Success Stories

Twilight Pasture Walks in Gallatin County

Author: David Hull

Major Program: Forages

Because of the negative attention that agricultural chemicals so commonly receive, some landowners are hesitant to apply herbicides to pastures and hay fields. In a effort to help these landowners determine whether or not a herbicide applications is warranted, the Gallatin County Extension Service conducted several Twilight Pasture Walk sessions on local farms and other properties in the county. The goals of these pasture walks were three-fold: to identify common pasture weeds; to establish

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