The Becker Soil and Water Conservation District serving as the Agricultural Inspector for Becker County has been awarded a two year grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to establish a Becker County Cooperative Weed Management Program (CWMP) to combat invasive weed species in the county.

The grant referred to as a "Pulling Together Initiative Grant" is a cooperative effort to seek control of small emerging priority weed infestations located throughout the county and implement controls before the infestation worsens. The grant will focus on providing public education, identification, prevention, infestation locations and reporting these threats.

This grant will allow for the development of a cooperative partnership by targeting resources to achieve invasive species management and target treatments using a variety of Integrated Pest Management techniques.

What is an Invasive Species? As defined by the National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC): An 'invasive species' is defined as a species that is 1) non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and 2) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. (Executive Order 13112). Invasive species can be plants, animals, and other organisms (e.g., microbes). Human actions are the primary means of invasive species introductions.

Five Invasive Plants that the grant will attempt to control by working with various agencies and landowners are the following (click on the plant name for detailed information):

Crown Vetch, Axseed: Coronilla varia
Leafy Spurge: Euphorbia esula
Spotted Knapweed: Centaurea maculosa
Tansy: Tanacetum vulgare
Wild Parsnip: Pastinaca sativa

This grant will allow for the development of a cooperative partnership by targeting resources to achieve invasive species management and target treatments using a variety of integrated pest management techniques. Also cost-share assistance may be available to landowners who have an identified invasive weed problem. For further information on the cost-share program for invasive weed control see the Invasive Plant Cost-share Form on this web site.