Invasive Plant Species
The Environment and Natural Resources
Hull
Pest ID
Forages
Integrated Pest Management
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.
- Decreased public and private acreage impacted by various invasive plant species
- Protocols in place to prevent further spread of invasive plants
- 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
- 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
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
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 2022
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 2022
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 2022