A Toolkit for Invasive Annual Grass Management in the West

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The Western Governors’ Association (WGA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), under a Shared Stewardship Memorandum of Understanding, have been collaborating on efforts to meaningfully address the large-scale infestation of invasive annual grasses on western forests and rangelands. The result of this effort is a new toolkit for land managers to address the spread of invasive annual grasses in the West, including species such as cheatgrass, medusahead, and ventanata. WGA and USDA released the toolkit during a webinar, which featured presentations by members of the interagency committee that worked to develop the toolkit.

The toolkit is comprised of three elements:

  • A roadmap for invasive grass management in the West, with new best management practices for the identification and protection of relatively intact “core” areas;

  • Case studies highlighting the application of these practices in Idaho and Wyoming; and

  • A new geospatial data layer to help state and local officials manage invasive annual grasses at home, while also offering opportunities to identify new cross-boundary collaborative projects.

Watch the webinar

View/Download the Toolkit

Emerging Insect Pests Webinar (2019)

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Emerging Insect Pests Webinar

Threats to Oregon’s Agriculture, Forests, and Plant Trade

In January of 2019, the Oregon Invasive Species Council hosted a free webinar on the emerging insect pests of Oregon that are threatening the local environment and economy. Forest and agricultural pests constantly put Oregon’s industries at risk of lost profit, costly projects, and quarantines. The purpose of this webinar was to share information about key emerging invasive insect threats that could cause significant, lasting impacts to the state. Listeners learned about the current status of these insects in Oregon, how they get here, efforts to address the issues, and what people can do to stop the introduction or spread. There were short presentations from the following experts in the field:

“The Pressing Threat of Japanese Beetle to Oregon’s Nursery and Specialty Crop Growers”
Chris Hedstrom, Oregon Department of Agriculture

“Gypsy Moth: A Devastating Pest of Trees and Shrubs”
Wyatt Williams, Oregon Department of Forestry & Chris Hedstrom, Oregon Department of Agriculture

“Stay on the Look Out for Spotted Lanternfly”
Meg Raabe, USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Plant Protection Quarantine (Presented by Chris Hedstrom due to lapse in federal funding)

“One of the Most Destructive Wood-Boring Pests: Emerald Ash Borer”
Wyatt Williams, Oregon Department of Forestry

If you’d like to learn more about this issue, see our Webinar Q&A Sheet for questions answered during and after the webinar.

Want to connect with our experts about the issues discussed in this webinar? Find their contact information below.

Chris Hedstrom, Oregon Department of Agriculture: chedstrom@oda.state.or.us

Wyatt Williams, Oregon Department of Forestry: wyatt.williams@oregon.gov

Meg Raabe, USDA-APHIS-PPQ: margaret.c.raabe@aphis.usda.gov