Spread the word, not the plant: Stinknet!

Written by Jessi Szopinski

Invasive Plant Program Specialist

For this edition of Forestry in Focus, the Invasive Plant Program will highlight stinknet and the impact this plant has on fire behavior in the Sonoran Desert.

With wildfires raging through California this past month, Arizonans have expressed a renewed interest in landscaping to keep their communities safe. If you choose to implement a defensible space around your home using Firewise USA protocols, keep in mind that dormant plants like brittlebush and triangle leaf bursage are important native plants providing shade and protection for cacti and small trees. As long as they are at least 30 feet from home structures, consider leaving them in place. Ground disturbance also creates an ideal habitat for invasive plants and can turn up dormant seeds. The threat posed by invasive plants, such as stinknet, is that they fill in the empty spaces that naturally occur in the Sonoran Desert and alter fire regimes in the southwest by increasing the scale, frequency, and intensity of wildfires. 

Taking small steps, such as learning how to correctly identify and remove invasive plants such as stinknet before they flower and go to seed, makes all the difference in stopping the spread of noxious weeds. Stinknet seeds are incredibly small and light enough to float on water, which has contributed to their rapid spread throughout central and southern Arizona. This plant has recently been reported as far north as the City of Sedona and as far south as the City of Douglas in Arizona. You can make a difference in your community by taking time to educate yourself as well as your family, friends, and neighbors who may not understand the threats posed by stinknet and other invasive plants.

If you need assistance with identification or recommendations for removal, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at invasiveplants@dffm.az.gov. Real change starts with you, and we’re happy to provide you with the support you need!

To assist with stinknet identification and education, please see the following resources that were developed by AZ DFFM in collaboration with the Central Arizona Conservation Alliance and other community partners:

Stinknet Door Hanger | Stinknet Postcard

Invasive Plant Species of Central Arizona Workbook

Tree Steward Testimonials

Check out this fantastic short video created by the Arizona Sustainability Alliance about their Tree Stewards Program, with testimonials from their first cohort of participants.

Join us in welcoming Mike Juarez to the team!

"Hello, my name is Mike and I am the new Forest Health Technician. I was born and raised in southern Arizona and have also lived and worked in New Mexico, Texas and California. I am a certified arborist and licensed pesticide applicator. I have been working in Forestry, Parks and Rec, and Conservation work since 2017. I am based out of Flagstaff AZ and and will be working on aerial detection surveys, insect and disease monitoring and management, public outreach and assistance. I am excited to work in my community and other communities in AZ and also continue to learn and grow in this position."

February Webinars and Classes

• February 5: Tree Ring Talk - Why, how, and where tree-ring density is needed for common era climate reconstructions? Learn about the importance of tree-ring density measurement methodologies in understanding climate variability, change, and it's drivers.

• February 12: Communicating with Impact: Building Relationships and Inspiring Action A workshop designed to help you develop the communication skills essential for effective leadership, from advocating for trees in the community to navigating difficult conversations.

• February 13: Overcoming Barriers in Urban Tree Planting and Care Address barriers facing urban tree planting initiatives from the perspectives of residents, community leaders, and practitioners.

• February 13: Riparian Restoration Practitioner Workshop: Babocomari Creek For restoration practitioners to learn and share expertise through a facilitated hands-on activity-based workshop.

• February 15: Become a Project Learning Tree Facilitator Educators will learn practical tools to connect students to nature in this workshop in Tucson.

• February 20: Stinknet Symposium Intended for professional land managers and roadside workers, hear from researchers and land managers in California and Arizona about their experiences with managing stinknet.

• February 26: Getting to the Root of the Problem: Myths About Urban Trees and Soil Dive into common misconceptions around urban trees and soils.

• March 7 - April 11: 2025 Certified Arborist Training and Review - a 6-class course located in Mesa designed to prepare tree-care industry workers for the ISA Certified Arborist Exam.

Upcoming Conferences:

• February 24- 27: National Native Seed Conference - Tucson, AZ

• March 11-13: Southwest Agroforestry Action Network (SWAAN) Annual Conference - Santa Fe, NM

• April 14-17: National Forum on Biological Control Conference - Annapolis, MD

• May 20-23: Sustainable Forestry Initiative 30th Annual Conference - Minneapolis, MN

• April 22-25: Branching Out: Innovations in Arboriculture for a Sustainable Future - WCISA Annual Conference & Trade Show - Tucson, AZ

Community Events:

• Weekly: Volunteer tree planting opportunities with Tucson Clean and Beautiful - Tucson



• February 8: Community Learning Day at Spaces of Opportunity - Phoenix

• February 15: Santa Cruz Watershed Day of Connection Biodiversity Fiesta - Tucson

• February 15: Shade Tree Workshop for SRP Customers (get 2 free shade trees for participating) - Virtual

• February 15 & 21: Tree Plantings in Chandler (2/15) and Glendale (2/21) with Arizona Sustainability Alliance

• Februrary 22: Sherwood Park Tree Planting for Love My Park Month in Mesa

• February 22: Propagating from Hardwood Cuttings Workshop - Flagstaff

• February 22 - 23: Tres Rios Nature Festival in Avondale

• Now through March 7th: DFFM's Annual K-12 Poster Contest! Please share this fun and creative way to celebrate trees with the K-12 students, families, teachers, and schools in your lives! Prizes are involved, and winners are displayed at the Capitol Museum for the month of April. View the Contest Flyer for more details!

Next month, our Forest Health team will share their 2024 Forest Health Conditions Report, which covers findings from the most recent Aerial Detection Surveys (ADS) of millions of forested acres in Arizona. Forest health trends, insect activity, drought impacts, and more are covered in this report.