Teton County Weed & Pest: Guardians of the Ecosystem

Wyoming was the first state to grant women the right to vote and hold public office. It is also home to Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the U.S. With just 590,000 residents, Wyoming remains the least populated state in the country. Its second nickname, “The Cowboy State,” reflects its long-standing ranching history.Much of Wyoming’s landscape is well-suited for livestock production. More than two-thirds of the land is dedicated to grazing, with cattle being the dominant livestock, followed by sheep and hogs to a lesser degree. The state also produces large quantities of hay.While crop production is less common than grazing, Wyoming farms grow sugar beets, dry beans, seed potatoes, and grains such as wheat, barley, oats, and corn.Wyoming is a rural and arid state, with most of its precipitation falling as snow. In the summer months, water stored in rivers becomes vital for irrigating agricultural lands. Of all irrigated land used for agriculture in Wyoming, flood irrigation accounts for over two-thirds of irrigation practices. However, flood irrigation creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes—especially across large acreages that are often adjacent to small communities. Many of these areas lack formal mosquito abatement programs, posing challenges to both public health and agriculture.

We’re often asked: what’s the difference between weeds and invasive plants? They’re both unwanted, often tough to remove, and we offer tips for control and extermination for both. With so many overlaps, it can be confusing to tell the difference. We’re here to help spell out what makes a weed a weed, what makes an invasive plant an invader, and how to tell the difference.

For this Weed of the Month, we’re laying bare skeletonleaf bursage—bones and all. Although it’s a native, it competes with crops and can cause severe allergic reactions. We’ve got the tips and tricks to managing and eliminating this pest. 

Help us celebrate PlayCleanGo Week this year from June 7–14!PlayCleanGo is a national campaign dedicated to protecting our wild lands from the spread of invasive species. It encourages outdoor recreationists to reduce the spread of dirt, seeds, and burs from noxious weeds during regular outdoor activities. The PlayCleanGo campaign works tirelessly to advocate for North America’s lands and waters by empowering people to take simple, proactive steps—like thoroughly cleaning mud and debris from gear, clothing, shoes, tires, and pets before and after outdoor adventures. Looking for inspiration on how you can protect public lands this summer? Follow us on social media throughout the week as we partner with conservation agencies across the country to share the top ways to #PlayCleanGo in our regions. When we commit to making small changes in how we prepare for and leave activities on public lands, we can make a big impact—preserving our parks, forests, rivers, lakes, and waterways for future generations to enjoy.