Noxious Weeds, Plant materials

Testing Indaziflam for Restoring Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) Infested Montana Rangelands

By Ben Hauptman, Granite County Extension, Email Ben Hauptman Introduction In summer 2020 the active ingredient indaziflam (RejuvraTM) was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for use on rangelands, CRP, and natural areas. Indaziflam’s mode of action inhibits cellulose biosynthesis in seedlings, making it an effective pre-emergent herbicide for annuals such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), a non-native winter annual grass. Cheatgrass is the most widespread invasive plant in the western U.S., and it is problematic for many range managers throughout Montana. Ranchers and other land managers in Montana are interested in indaziflam as another tool for controlling cheatgrass. This project…
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Events, Noxious Weeds

Weed Pulls-Volunteers Needed!

In the next month, there will be two weed pulls, one in Lewis and Clark County and one in Teton County. The Sun River Weed Whacker Rodeo will be July 10.  The group will meet at the Beaver Creek Trailhead at 8:30 am.  Lunch is provided and prizes will be given out.  Contact Tracy Wendt with the Sun River Watershed Group for more information at 406-214-2868 or by email at tracy@sunriverwatershed.org. The Teton Canyon Weed pull will be July 24th.  The group will be meeting at Abbott's Picnic site at 8:30 am.  Lunch will be provided and prizes will be…
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310 Permits, Agriculture, Communication, Flooding, Forestry, Monitoring, Noxious Weeds, Planning, Plant materials, Pollinator, Programs, Water Quality

New Landowner Resource Concern Survey

As part of our annual planning operations, the Conservation District has a new survey for landowners to report natural resource concerns to us.   Residents of Lewis and Clark County are asked to take this short survey, giving feedback on new concerns about our natural resources in the county or ongoing concerns.   The Conservation District will utilize the feedback we receive as we look at program development, budgeting,  collaboration with other partner organizations such as the NRCS, and in our planning revisions for our long-range-plan. Please take just a minute or so to fill this out for us!
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Noxious Weeds

November Weed Post

From Jane Mangold, Professor and Extension Invasive Plant Specialist at Montana State University, I give you the November Weed Post. The November Weed Post discusses non-target herbicide injury and directs you to some new MSU Extension materials where you can read more and view a key to diagnosing herbicide injury. Noelle Orloff, the Schutter Diagnostic Lab Diagnostician, wrote the post this month and is the lead author on the Extension materials. Thank you, Noelle! You can access the November Weed Post as a webpage or view the attached PDF.
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Noxious Weeds

MSU April Weed Post

The April weed post from Jane Mangold at Montana State University ties the practices of prevention, early detection and rapid response with invasive species, to the current Coronavirus pandemic.  Have a read!  Download the PDF for the crossword puzzle!
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Flooding, Forestry, Noxious Weeds, Plant materials, Publications

From Flooding to Fire

It seems to be a typical transition anymore at the Conservation District.  My desk is a mountain of paperwork responding to spring/summer flooding--some even from last year! And now the hills are alive with the crackling of wildfires! Post fire concerns for landowners include--what else?--Flooding!  The organic material at the ground surface often burns in a fire, removing a layer of water absorbable materials, from duff and leaves, to the soil itself, depending on the heat from the fire.  Areas that burned primarily as tree/crown fires aren't generally as severely affected, but if there was a ground fire, especially if…
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Events, Noxious Weeds, Watershed

Lewis & Clark County Weed Events-Summer 2018

Every year, the Conservation District partners with the Sun River Watershed Group to help out with their Summer Weed Events.  Invasive species are an on-going battle and the work that the SRWG has done has been amazing! The Elk Creek Spray Day is June 12th The Ford Creek Spray Day is June 13th The Sun Canyon Spray Day is June 20th The Sun Canyon Weed Pull is July 7th For more information on any of these events, to help out, or to donate to the cause, contact Alan Rollo at arollo7@msn.com or call him at 406-727-4437.
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Noxious Weeds, Programs

2018 Weed Cost Share Program

The Lewis & Clark Conservation District has opened up the 2018 Weed Cost Share Program application period. This program is funded with some extra money that the Conservation District has and provides 50/50 cost share for chemical (including surfactants) or a commercial applicator.  It also covers re-seeding if you have an approved plan, and biological controls, or a combination of the strategies. To apply, fill out the application and return it via mail, email or in person by March 31, 2018. 2018 Weed Cost Share Application
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Cost Share, Noxious Weeds, Programs

2017 Weed Cost Share Program

The Conservation District is once again offering a Weed Cost Share program.  Up to $1500 per landowner, $5000 for a group project or 50% of: Herbicide only for individual sprayers Commercial application costs and chemical for commercial application Biological controls Re-seeding with a native mix as approved by the Conservation District Contract award and selection will be based on: New invader management Noxious weeds on the State and County priority lists Use of integrated weed management practices Revegetation program Rangeland/forestland invasive species Applications for the program will be accepted through March 31, 2017.  Projects will be ranked by the Weed…
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