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Western Society of Weed Science (WSWS), March 1-4, 2021

WSWS will host a joint meeting with the Western Aquatic Plant Management Society. Three symposia are planned for the joint event:

  • Updates from weed biocontrol: an unsung component of integrated weed management on land and in water
  • Annual invasive grass management
  • Are herbicide-resistant crops the solution to herbicide-resistant weeds?
WSSA and Affiliated Science Societies Share Plans for 2021 Virtual Annual Meetings
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Weed Science Society of America, February 15-19, 2021

WSSA’s annual meeting will include an annual awards presentation, oral and poster presentations, a business meeting, and special networking sessions for both graduate students and women in weed science. Five special symposia will be offered, including:

  • Advances in sensor-based weed detection and precision management
  • A history, overview and plan of action on PPO-inhibiting herbicides
  • Beyond the boom – benefits of weed and brush management in grasslands
  • Optimizing invasive aquatic plant management, monitoring and outreach efforts to meet regional needs
  • Sustainable weed management – what is it and how are we doing?

Prerecorded presentations will be followed by live question and answer sessions. Further details and conference registration are available online.

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Western Governors Association releases Biosecurity and Invasive Species Initiative Special Report

The Western Governors Association had an in-depth conversation with Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, released the Biosecurity and Invasive Species Initiative Special Report, and announced an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pursue collaborative projects on the first day of the WGA 2019 Annual Meeting.

The Governors opened the day by announcing an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pursue collaborative projects in wildfire response, vegetation management and invasive cheatgrass. “This is a significant next step in our shared stewardship collaboration with USDA,” said WGA Executive Director Jim Ogsbury. The press conference was also attended by Jim Hubbard, USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment. (Read the blog)
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AZ Dept of Ag Rule – Posted for Comment with Public Meeting on May 15, 2019

The rules changes proposed by the Department of Agriculture were published on the Arizona Administrative Register of the Secretary of State website on 5 April. The draft is now open for public review and comment until 5 June.

A public meeting will be held on 15 May at 10am at:

Arizona Department of Ag, Conference Room 206, 1688 Adams St., Phoenix Continue reading “AZ Dept of Ag Rule – Posted for Comment with Public Meeting on May 15, 2019”

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Workshop 11/29-30: Restoration and Tamarisk Beetle Workshop (in Yuma)

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Restoration and Tamarisk Beetle Workshop – November 29-30 in Yuma

[button link=”https://tamariskcoalition.z2systems.com/event.jsp?event=641″ color=”default” size=”” stretch=”” type=”” shape=”” target=”_self” title=”” gradient_colors=”|” gradient_hover_colors=”|” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”1px” icon=”” icon_divider=”yes” icon_position=”left” modal=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” alignment=”” class=”” id=””]Register for Workshop[/button]

 

Printable meeting announcement

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Yuma CWMA Meeting 11/28: Lower Colorado River Cooperative Restoration and Weed Management Association (CWMA)

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Lower Colorado River Cooperative Restoration and Weed Management Association meeting – November 28; 1:30-3:30

[button link=”https://tamariskcoalition.z2systems.com/event.jsp?event=641″ color=”default” size=”” stretch=”” type=”” shape=”” target=”_self” title=”” gradient_colors=”|” gradient_hover_colors=”|” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”1px” icon=”” icon_divider=”yes” icon_position=”left” modal=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” alignment=”” class=”” id=””]Register for LCR CWMA meeting[/button]

Printable meeting announcement

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Update on AZ Dept of Agriculture Weed Rule – October 2018

SWVMA would like to share with our members the current version of the AZ Dept of Agriculture weed rule as sent to the Plant Services Director in October 2018 (available HERE) and the ranking of different species completed by the SWVMA Weed Rule Revision Committee (available HERE).
     SWVMA has been involved in the weed rule revision process since it first opened up a couple of years ago.  We recommended 11 new species be added, which was done in this draft.  We also recommended deletion of 12 species from the list — logic for that is found in the attached document, “Categorization of Arizona’s Invasive Plants by SWVMA”.  We also recommended refinement of the listing for Ipomoea species so that native and sometimes rare native species are not included in the invasive plant list for the state. 
     We requested a change in wording of the abatement clause,  “The department may quarantine and abate an area infested or contaminated with a Class A or Class B Noxious Weed if it has been determined by the Associate Director that an imminent threat to agriculture or horticulture exists.”  to read as follows:
     “The department may quarantine and abate an area infested or contaminated with a Class A, Class B or Class C Noxious Weed if it has been determined by the Associate Director that an imminent threat to agriculture or horticulture or human welfare or safety exists.”
     Our reason for this change is to give the state authority to abate fountain grass and buffelgrass, both of which are C species, and both of which create an extreme fire hazard if growing densely in close proximity and especially immediately downslope of dwellings or places of business.
     This suggested change was not added, as we were told, because safety is not a mandated function of the Arizona Department of Agriculture.  We do not agree, as safety is and should be a part of every state department.  In fact, Arizona State Forestry’s FireWise program is primarily implemented for the safety of communities living in close proximity to forested areas. 
     We also requested that wording be included for a process to add flexibility to be able to amend the state’s weed list more easily.  This last revision has been requested by SWVMA for 12 years.  Protocols should be added to prevent state bureaucracy from stymying updates needed for new species entering the state to be handled by early detection/rapid response. 
     Our SWVMA committee will be providing updates to the SWVMA website so that interested people can follow progress of the weed rule revision process.  At this time, the revised rule has been given to the Director of the Department of Agriculture.  From there it will go to the Governor’s Advisory Council.  After they have reviewed it, it will go out for public review and comment.  It will be key at that time, to have letters from the noxious weed management community, especially in support of new species additions.