Gallatin County CES

Title:

Invasive Plant Species

MAP:

The Environment and Natural Resources

Agents Involved:

Hull

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Pest ID

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Forages

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Integrated Pest Management

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: Private landowners and public workers will be able to identify various species of invasive plants

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:  Private landowners and public workers will survey and mark areas on their properties impacted by invasive plant species

Indicator: Number of property surveys indicating impacted areas and controls used

Method: Map survey tabulation

Timeline: 3 - 6 months

Long-term Outcome: Decreased public and private acreage impacted by various invasive plant species

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 2024

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 2024

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 2024