Program Highlight

Written by Jessi Szopinski, Invasive Plant Program Coordinator

With more than 60 plants currently listed on the Arizona Noxious Weed List, it can feel daunting to know where to begin when tackling invasive species.

The encouraging news: you don’t need to be an expert in plant identification to make a meaningful difference.



Invasive plant species are primarily spread through human activities, so you can make a big difference by incorporating small, mindful changes into your travel routines.

When spending time outdoors, always clean your footwear, gear, and vehicles before entering and leaving a site. Stay on designated roads and trails to avoid unknowingly transporting invasive plant seeds. Once transported to new areas, these “hitchhikers” can establish quickly, outcompeting native plants and disrupting local ecosystems. Steven Dewey, an Extension Weed Specialist from Utah State University, has aptly likened the spread of invasive species to a wildfire, “Weed seeds, like embers, can be carried long distances…new spot infestations grow and merge, much like spot fires ahead of an advancing fire front”. By preventing the spread of invasive plant seeds, we can stop infestations before they take hold—especially in remote, wildland areas where they’re difficult to detect and costly to control once established. 

For more information on how you can take action while recreating outdoors, visit https://playcleango.org/take-action/ for tips tailored to your specific adventure.

If you have questions or need support, contact us at invasiveplants@dffm.az.gov. Together we can protect Arizona’s landscapes for generations to come!

Happening now:

Arizona's K-12 Arbor Day Poster Contest!

This year, the theme is "A Tree Near Me" - encouraging students to go outside, observe, and appreciate the trees around them. Please share this friendly competition with the youth, families, and educators in your life!

Private landowners in Arizona face unique challenges when maintaining and managing the vegetation on their properties. The DFFM Forest Stewardship Program would like to hear directly from landowners about how they navigate these challenges, and what resources they may need to maintain and improve the vegetation on their properties.

We invite private landowners to attend a nearby listening session to share concerns, needs, and goals for the trees and vegetation on their properties. In turn, our agency will use the information landowners provide at the sessions to develop new strategies to help local landowners achieve their vegetation goals.

More information regarding the listening sessions is included here. Spanish interpreters will be present at all sessions. Reach out to Community Engagement Specialist, Max Benning, with any questions at mbenning@dffm.az.gov.

Environmental Education Grant Program - funding from the EPA to support environmental education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment - deadline: March 3, 2026

Healthy American Forests Initiative - funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support watershed restoration and vegetation management projects on National Forest System lands - deadline: March 17th, 2026

Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) - CSCI offers funding and technical assistance to advance community-based climate resilience in communities or regions that are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change - deadline: March 12, 2026

The Davey Tree Expert Company Community Arboriculture Education Grant - funding for non-profits to conduct educational workshops, demonstrations, and job fairs related to arboriculture - deadline: March 15, 2026

Riverscape Restoration in the Western United States and Northern Mexico - funding from the Biophilia Foundation for implementation, system capacity and engagement in low-tech, process based river restoration - deadline: March 31, 2026

Webinars & Professional Courses

February 17, 19, 24, 26 - Pima County Smartscape Advanced: Urban Forest Management - in-depth training for landscape professionals on best management and maintenance practices from industry experts.

February 19 - Futureproof the Workforce - join this session from American Forests' Coaching Network to learn how working for tree equity and utilizing your talents can help support, educate, recruit, train, and retain the urban foresters of the future.

February 20 - Native Pollinators and the Plants They Love - learn how to create a pollinator-friendly backyard in AZ's diverse southwestern landscape with Pima County Master Gardeners.

February 21 - Tree Health and Visual Inspection - take a walk through the park in Tempe, AZ and learn how to assess a tree for potential pests or disease, next steps, and mitigation strategies with DFFM's Forest Health Program Manager, Aly McAlexander.

February 23 - USGS Invasive Species Science: Innovation for a Healthy Nation - explore the role of invasion biology within a One Health framework, emerging environmental DNA tools for invasive species, parasite, and pathogen surveillance, and the use of molecular techniques to understand wildlife and fish health.

February 26 - Mana in the Drylands: Exploring the ecological, climatic and cultural dimensions of mast seeding in arid landscapes - explore how mast fruiting functions and creates ripple effects in the American Southwest ecosystems.

March 10 - Fuels Treatments in Non-Forested Systems: Considerations for rangelands, grasslands, and shrublands - a panel discussion intended for fire, fuels, and land managers on critical topics related to fuels and fire management.

Professional Conferences

February 24-26 - The USDA Cooperative Forum on Invasive Species - Annapolis, MD

February 25-26 - 2026 National Native Seed Conference - Virtual

March 3-5 - Riparian Restoration Conference: Where Water, Wildlife and People Meet - Grand Junction, CO

March 9 - 12 - 9th Tri-national Sonoran Symposium - Ajo, AZ

April 27-30 - 92nd Western Chapter ISA Conference & Trade Show - Fish Camp, CA

Community Events

10+ dates - Stinknet and Buffelgrass Removal Volunteer Days - Volunteer events hosted in Tucson, Marana, and Phoenix by multiple organizations with the same mission!

Weekly on Saturdays - Tree Plantings with Tucson Clean & Beautiful - Tucson, AZ

February 28 - March 1 - Tres Rios Nature Festival - Avondale, AZ

March 13 & 14 - Tree Climbing Championship & Festival - Yuma, AZ

Our Forest Health Program will share the 2025 Forest Health Conditions Report, featuring findings from the most recent Aerial Detection Surveys conducted in partnership with the USDA Forest Service.