Special Projects

From time to time, Teton County Weed & Pest District becomes involved with special projects that go above and beyond our normal efforts. These projects are generally cooperative in nature and often involve partnerships in the Jackson Hole Weed Management Area. These cooperative projects are often funded through various granting organizations and we look forward to highlighting some of our special efforts through the upcoming years. Please visit this page soon for news on our special projects!

 

2002-Present

The idea for The Snake River Project began to form after noxious weed mapping was completed during the summers of 2000 and 2001 by Teton County Weed & Pest and Grand Teton National Park.  As the data was plotted and disseminated, it was discovered that existing spotted knapweed and Dalmatian toadflax infestations were not continuous along the entire Snake River corridor as was previously thought.  Instead, infestations were patchy and radiated outward from the original source of the infestation and favored spreading downstream.  It was also discovered that the northern spread of both spotted knapweed and Dalmatian toadflax decreased and then ended just inside Grand Teton National Park.  All of this information renewed our hope that we may actually be able to control noxious weeds along the Snake River corridor in Teton County, Wyoming.  During the summer of 2001, we began using this information to curtail the spread of these noxious weeds by concentrating our time and money on the leading edges of these infestations.  Mapping was completed in mid-August, but not before our first known infestation of saltcedar or tamarisk was discovered (and treated) along the banks of the Snake River near Hoback Junction.

Even though the weed infestations in the Snake River corridor have always been some of the worst in Teton County, money available for weed control along this popular river has been very limited.  In addition, many of the weed infestations exist in areas where herbicide application is impractical, environmentally unsound, or downright illegal.  When financially possible, biological control agents for spotted knapweed and Canada thistle have been released with varied results due to bug numbers and flooding.  In 2001, with the help of grant money from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, large numbers of C. Litura (a biological control agent for Canada thistle) were released on Game and Fish property along the Snake River and on a couple sites on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Further complicating noxious weed management along the Snake River corridor is the fact many of the worst infestations are located on private land.  However, funding and options for weed control on the levee system that lines both sides of the Snake River for 27 miles, which was minimal to begin with, has not increased.  Each summer, work that needs to be done is left undone due to lack of funding and no notable forward progress has been made in noxious weed control on this stretch of river. Luckily, the lack of funding has not been tied to politics.   Unfortunately, it can be tied to lack of education and budget constraints.

With all of these factors in mind, the idea for The Snake River Project was created in hopes that a solution to this multifaceted problem may be created through public education.  Since the Snake River is a highly popular and widely used river, the Jackson Hole Weed Management Association has decided to highlight the weed problems of the Snake River in hopes that the education that the public derives from our efforts will eventually spill over into other areas of our weed management area.  In return, we hope that by focusing the public’s attention on the plight of a river that they are so passionate about, the river will benefit from volunteer efforts, increased involvement of landowners and organizations and increased funding - all of which will be focused on removing noxious weeds and restoring native vegetation.

 

Phase II – The Snake River Project Begins – Spring, 2003 – Fall, 2007

Weed Control

            From the summer of 2003 to the fall of 2007, Teton County Weed and Pest will continue to perform weed control on the Snake River levee system as per their budget and hopefully with supplemental funds provided by grants.  Bio-control releases will also continue where needed and funded in part through grants.

            Community weed pulls will now become a critical component in controlling weeds in the Snake River flood plain that cannot be treated with herbicides.  In the summer of 2003, weed pulls will begin at the northern extent of the spotted knapweed infestations and slowly work south.  The idea is to begin pulling weeds at the point furthest upstream and work downstream, so the chance for reinfestation by flooding is significantly reduced.  Weed pulls will be conducted on a monthly or bi-weekly basis, depending upon interest and weeds will be bagged and hauled off site for proper disposal.  Reseeding efforts will follow up the weed pulling to help native vegetation become established in the void left by the pulled weeds.

 

Community Involvement

            Shortly after the launch of the Snake River Project, a volunteer committee will be formed to aid in the gathering of resources and the dissemination of information.  This committee will be comprised of land managers and interested members of the general public.  This will hopefully begin the process of turning ownership of the project over to the public.

            For the weed pulls to be a success, at some point the Snake River Project will have be allowed to enter onto private land on the Snake River flood plain.  It is our hope that through public education and increased awareness of the project, this will come to fruition.  All landowners along the Snake River corridor will be contacted through the mail with a brochure and letter explaining the project.  They will then be cordially invited to either control the weeds on their property or ask for the assistance of the Snake River Project.  If the SNP is progressing properly, landowners should slowly begin to at least allow access to their flood plain property to facilitate weed removal.  Although it is certain that not all landowners will participate, it is our hope that a majority of them will.

Education

            During the summer of 2003, with the help of grants and government agencies, kiosks will be built or renovated to provide information on the SNP to river users.  Brochures will be available for interested people to take and use as they float the river.  Weed tours and weed pulls will also continue on indefinitely.

            During the winter months, the Snake River Project will slow down, but it will not be forgotten.  Lesson plans will be developed for various age groups so that schools may use the project to help educate their students about the various ecological ramifications of noxious weeds and riparian areas.  More groups will be approached and presentations will be made to further increase the public’s awareness of the project.