Weed Watch!

Colorado Weed Management Association

2nd Quarter Newsletter 2023

President's Message

May means that the field season is in full swing for most of us, and with the exception of the high country the snow has cleared and made way for spring ephemerals likes daffodils, tulips, and the native glacier lilies. Spring Training is behind us and our calendars are booked for the next six months or more. The CWMA Board of Directors wishes you a successful field season and wants to remind you that CWMA offers tools and resources year round such as our Technician Training, online webinars for CEC credit, and our Noxious Weed Booklet.

Ethan Proud

President, Colorado Weed Management Association

CWMA Day at the Capitol

by Kayla Malone, Chaffee County Weed Program Director

The CWMA legislative committee has been active and involved with the 2023 Colorado legislative session. This year the Pesticide Applicators Act (PAA) underwent a sunset review and is in the process of being renewed in the legislature. This Act directs the use of pesticide products in Colorado. Many of the recommendation made by the Colorado Division of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform included strengthening the act. Some recommendations were initially made that were not supported by a significant portion of stakeholders. After a stakeholder process was included, partners from the Coloradoans for Responsible Pesticide Applications (CRPA) did move to support the PAA renewal. There has been information that indicates the Governor’s office may move to include an amendment that would repeal state-wide uniformity in the control of pesticides. More information on the PAA and CWMA involvement can be found here. READ MORE...

CWMA Online Training and Education for CE Credits: Easy to Use at Home or Work!

Need credits? CWMA has you covered year round with online education approved by the Colorado Department of Agriculture!  Attend a live webinar or take an on-demand course that offer CEC’s, under $40 for CWMA members!

Live Webinars

Learn from the experts and interact with other participants in live, one-hour sessions about a variety of topics. The list includes:

• ATV Safety and Riding Skills
• CDA Pesticides Regulatory Update
• Aquatic Invasive Species Plan
• Using Postings and Notifications to Keep the Public Safe
• And more from previous years!

Online Courses

These courses give you on-demand access to credible, curated and convenient online training activities. We currently have two options: one for those seeking CE credits and one for people who are not. Here is the full list of courses and their registration links.

Long-Term Invasive Winter Annual Grass and Noxious Weed Control Facilitates Ecosystem, Pollinator, and Wildlife Habitat Restoration

(offers 1 CE credit in category 107) Price: $49 per user

Click below:

CE credit version

Non credit version

Aquatic Invasive Species Identification, Ecology, and Management

(offers 1 CE credit in category 108) Price: $49 per user

Click below:

CE credit version

Non credit version

Rights-of-Way Weed Management

(offers 1 CE credit in category 109) Price: $49 per user

Click below:

CE credit version

Non credit version

Technician Training

Sit down and relax while training both new hires and returning technicians with these two new training offerings. These courses take the weight off the supervisor and cover all of the categories required by the Colorado Department of Agriculture for classroom instruction. Some additional training is required and a licensed applicator must be available to answer questions during the training. Register below technician course that is right for you!

New Hire Technician Training

Experienced Technician Training

Realtor Training

Learn about noxious weeds and their impact on our land and landowners, specifically their impacts on property values, grazing, agriculture, and biodiversity. Participants will also learn about the Colorado Noxious Weed Act and what it requires of landowners. Participants will receive 2 CE hours in land management if the course is completed receive a score of 70% or better on the ending exam.

Register HERE.

May Weed of the Month:

Poison Hemlock (Conium Maculatum)

Prepared by Ethan Proud, Archuleta County Weed and Pest Supervisor

Poison hemlock is a List C biennial species and belongs to the parsley family (Apiaceae).

It is an escaped ornamental that is found through the contiguous United States. Poison hemlock invades riparian corridors, irrigation ditches, pastures, and waste places.

Plants grow up to a height of six feet tall and have umbelliferous inflorescences (umbrella shaped) at the end of branches. The individual flowers are white and less than a ¼ inch wide. Leaves are alternate and finely divided, giving it a fern-like appearance. Purple splotches along the stem differentiate poison hemlock from the native water hemlock. Poison hemlock is a lookalike to many edible plants such as wild carrot, oshá, and Indian celery.

Poison hemlock is toxic to humans and livestock (cattle, swine, goats, horses, and sheep). The primary toxin in coniine. Poison hemlock’s claim to fame is it’s use in the execution of Socrates.

RESOURCES

DiTomaso, J, et al. 2013. Weed Control in Natural Areas in the Western United States. UC Weed Research and Information Center.

Noxious Weeds of Colorado 14^th Addition

Colorado Weed Management Association

https://cwma.org/weed-information/publications/

PHOTO CREDITS

Jeffco Invasive Species Management

Building a Native Plant Materials Program From the Ground Up: Culturally Combating Invasive Species 

Anna Theodorakos, Jefferson County Open Space Natural Resource Specialist

Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS) initiated a Native Plant Materials Program (NPMP) in 2017. It started with the idea that having access to native ecotypic seed and plant stock would help JCOS respond to both natural and anthropogenic disturbance. Many land managers including JCOS have turned to using locally adapted plant materials to maintain or increase resilience in native plant communities. Utilizing native or local plants that are adapted to local environmental and biotic conditions can help increase species chances of reproduction and survival. In recent years, invasive species have increased in abundance and distribution on JCOS properties requiring a surge in weed management activities. The opportunity was recognized to incorporate more cultural control methods by utilizing native or local plant species into the integrated pest management toolbox to complement the other practices already employed including mechanical, chemical, and biological control. Local plants will assist in keeping ecosystems healthy, diverse, and resilient to disturbances and a changing climate. READ MORE...

Glacier Lily, Erythronium Grandiflorum

By Ethan Proud, Archuleta County Weed and Pest Supervisor

Glacier lilies also go by the names trout lily and dogtooth violet. They sport a pair of basal leaves and a solitary yellow flower on an unbranched stalk. Occasionally they will have a third leaf or produce up to three blooms.

They emerge shortly after the snow melts and can be found in montane, sub-apline, and alpine plant communities. In the San Juans they can be found at the edge of gambel oaks in Ponderosa Pine forests.

Deer will browse on the foliage while bears may dig up the bulb as a food source.

Noxious Weeds of Colorado Weed Booklet – 14th Edition

The 14th edition includes pictures and descriptions of the updated Colorado Noxious Weed List including Lists A, B, and C. The State recently removed the Watch List from regulation and our newest edition reflects those changes.

CWMA Member Spotlight for Sustaining Partners and Sponsors!

Do you want your company to get featured in our e-blasts or quarterly e-newsletters? We have that marketing space for you in our Member Spotlight section! Every e-blast and e-newsletter is an opportunity to highlight the services and/or products of our CWMA Sustaining Partners and Event Sponsors.

If you are a Sustaining Partner, send your company logo and service and/or product brief (not more than 200 words) to info@cwma.org and we will schedule it in our marketing calendar.

Not a Sustaining Partner yet? REGISTER here to enjoy this benefit!

Looking to further your career in stewardship, conservation, and natural resources? CWMA shares job postings from natural resource employers!

To view job listings and descriptions, click here.

Why Be A Member?

Simply put, we help you and your employer IDENTIFY and MANAGE invasive species and CONNECT you to the right resources and support. Membership gives you special access to:

• A network of peers for support, advice and solutions
• Science based research and training
• CE courses and events to help you maintain your license
• A library of curated resources
• Opportunities to advance your career and develop leadership skills
• Member discounts for events, webinars, and publications
• And more!

What else? CWMA fights for the industry by ensuring that rules and regulations at the state level help and not hurt your ability to perform your job. We increase environmental awareness among decision-makers and the broader public.

How can CWMA work for you?

Do you want to make a difference with CWMA? Would you like to influence the direction that CWMA is leading? Join a committee by reaching out to the chairs and co-chairs listed below.

Want to join a committee but don't know where to start? Contact us for more info!