WEED MANAGEMENT Conservation in Action - Weed (Invasive Plant) Management
A growing problem on a national scale, invasive plant management is an ongoing challenge at The Teller. Controlling weeds is an expensive process; however, doing nothing to manage weeds is not an option. Weeds out-compete and displace native plant species, negatively impacting important wildlife habitat. The Teller adopted an Integrated Weed Management Plan in 2005, and is committed to aggressively managing this labor intensive and expensive effort. The IWMP is designed to support The Teller mission through consistent, long-term management of its vegetation communities. It incorporates integrated practices including biocontrol, grazing, cultivating, mowing, revegetation, herbicide application, fire, hand pulling and cultural control. The plan identifies priority areas for weed control, potential research areas, prevention and management strategies. The Teller has seen steady progress in managing invasive plants since implementing this plan. Monitoring and evaluation are an ongoing part of the weed management effort. Our goal is to share successful results with other landowners across the west to help their efforts in combating invasive plants and improving wildlife habitat. Weed management efforts have been funded by Conservation Partners such as The National Forest Foundation, The Michael J. Connell Foundation, Bitterroot Conservation District, National Resource Conservation Service and the Ravalli County Weed District. Teller volunteers and students involved in school service projects have also provided important assistance in weed management.
Integrated Weed Management in 2009 The Teller has continued its Integrated Weed Management program by utilizing a combination of volunteer hand-pulling on 80 acres, mechanical mowing on 100 acres and herbicide on 100 acres. The Teller has primarily targeted Houndstongue, Common Toadflax and Canada Thistle. The results of ongoing weed management have been very positive and have since improved the landscape for desired vegetative communities that benefit a myriad of wildlife species. Houndstongue: Before Treatment After Treatment  
Integrated Weed Management Efforts in 2008 Our emphasis in 2008 will continue with herbicide treatments for Canadian thistle, houndstongue, common tansy, and common toadflax on 200 acres. Other species, including yellow flag iris and leafy spurge will continue to be spot treated. Livestock will be utilized with electric fence exclosures to manage dense cattail stands, and for early success with moist soil plants. Mowing and cultivation will also be used to address houndstongue and other weeds. The cheatgrass experimental area will be evaluated with the selection of a second recovery site this fall. The Teller is included in a community grant for Montana Dept. of Agriculture Noxious Weed Trust Fund dollars involving more than 20 contiguous landowners north and south of The Teller.
Weed Management Successes in 2007 Integrated weed management took place on 200 acres, resulting in a marked reduction of noxious weeds, thanks to a $15,000 National Forest Foundation (NFF) Challenge Grant. The Michael J. Connell Foundation, Ravalli County Weed District, Teller Volunteers and Corvallis School District provided the partner match. Weed management focused on Canadian thistle, houndstongue, common tansy and common toadflax. Other species including yellow flag iris and leafy spurge were spot treated. Cheatgrass Experimental Site: Following a prescription of livestock grazing and herbicide treatment to approximately 15 acres of heavily infested cheatgrass, the area was seeded with a mix of perennial drought-resistant native and non-native grasses, using a no till drill in the fall of 2007. Monitoring will continue with the potential to identify another site for recovery. |
