Increasing Citizen Participation in Weed Management

Introduction

Nevada has two primary invasive weed awareness and education organizations. The Nevada Weed Management Association was formed under the leadership of the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension in 1995. Its primary purpose is to bring state, federal and local agency weed managers together along with land managers from the private sector in order to enhance and share information and promote weed awareness. This is done primarily through its annual conference, the location of which is rotated regularly throughout the state. The Nevada Weed Action Committee was initiated under the direction of the Nevada Department of Agriculture in1996. Its primary purpose is to coordinate agency efforts necessary for effective statewide weed management.

Nevada has two primary invasive weed awareness and education organizations. The Nevada Weed Management Association was formed under the leadership of tThrough a series of meetings held in 2001 and 2002 representatives from both associations developed a framework to create and implement a comprehensive Weed Awareness and Education Plan. The first step in this process was the development of concise and consistent messages to be included in any weed education efforts. See the Nevada Cooperative Extension fact sheet, Weed Education in Nevada: Four Cornerstones for Success, FS-02-87.e University of Nevada Cooperative Extension in 1995. Its primary purpose is to bring state, federal and local agency weed managers together along with land managers from the private sector in order to enhance and share information and promote weed awareness. This is done primarily through its annual conference, the location of which is rotated regularly throughout the state. The Nevada Weed Action Committee was initiated under the direction of the Nevada Department of Agriculture in1996. Its primary purpose is to coordinate agency efforts necessary for effective statewide weed management.

The combined group next developed a mission statement and specific goals and objectives in order to guide them in the development and implementation of an Invasive Weed Education and Awareness program.

Mission

The mission of this joint effort is to minimize the environmental and economic impacts of invasive weeds in Nevada through citizen involvement.

Goal #1

Expose every citizen of Nevada to the environmental and economic impacts of invasive weeds.

Objectives

a. Create and implement an invasive weed awareness and education campaign.

Action Items

• Identify cooperators
• Identify audiences
• Create volunteer programs
• Create timelines and criteria by which success will be measured.

b. Ensure consistency of disseminated educational information statewide by encouraging the uniform inclusion of the following four messages (FS-02-87).

Action Items

• We all share responsibility for invasive weed management
• Many tools, resources, and guidelines are available
• Collaboration and coordination are keys to successful programs
• Invasive weeds steal from our economy, our environment and our future.

c. Acquire funding for awareness and education projects

Action Items

• Identify funding sources
• Create a central location for project funding opportunities
• Create a position for statewide coordination

Goal #2

Expand partnerships among local, county, state and federal entities and organizations with continuing or potential invasive weed programs.

Objectives

• Identify partners and resources
• Identify existing partnerships, programs and projects
• Identify areas of need or potential
• Facilitate communication and organization

Goal #3

Enhance relationships with state, regional, national and international entities for information exchange and partnerships.

Objectives

• Identify existing entities and organizations
• Identify existing programs and partnerships
• Determine needed relationships
• Identify needed programs and partnerships
• Further communication and collaboration across borders and boundaries

Conclusion

Participants in this planning process assumed that the public at large is, for the most part, unaware of the potential economic, social, environmental and recreational impacts of the continued spread of invasive weeds. They further noted that effective direct control efforts must be underpinned by broad based public support and therefore a comprehensive weed education and awareness campaign is needed. Also, because of the diverse interests of local, state, and federal agencies, private land managers and other special interests groups, a systematic approach reflected in these goals and objectives should be followed.

References

• Davis, R, Ryan, M, Rafferty, D, Weed Education in Nevada: Four Cornerstones for Success, UNCE Fact sheet FS-02-87