PlayCleanGo Week 2025

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 this 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.

Are Invasive Species Even a Big Deal?

Invasive species cost the US economy more than $21 billion per year, and the cost is mounting. Did you know invasive species are spread the fastest by human activity? Everything from trade, travel, and recreation can spread invasives quickly.

Established invasive species carry a significant threat to our native plant and animal communities and are a significant priority with natural resource management. With no predators, invasive species rapidly spread, increase in population size, and wreak havoc on local infrastructure systems. Invasive species can crowd out native plants, destroy biodiversity, contribute to more destructive wildfires,and permanently alter habitats and wildlife forage.

#RecreateResponsibly and Remember to PlayCleanGo!

Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park play host to tourists from around the world on our national park and public land. Dispersed PlayCleanGo messaging along trailheads and at recreation locations educates visitors on how each of us can take a moment to protect our environment by brushing off dirt and mud to support the long-term health of our local ecosystem. The long-term impact of encouraging and motivating all recreationists to PlayCleanGo after time outdoors will reap benefits for years to come and the efforts compound the more people we can rally to join the cause.

The top ways to PlayCleanGo when outdoors include:

Use a bootbrush to brush the soles of your shoes and tires off of recreation vehicles and bicycles (See bootbrush locator found at many trailheads: https://naisma.org/programs/playcleango/boot-brush-station-opportunity/)
Clean, Drain, and Dry boats, kayaks, and canoes after time on water to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species
Be mindful to only purchase native plants from local well-established nurseries
Brush off dirt and remove seeds and burs from horses and dog paw pads
Only use locally certified firewood to prevent wood-boring insects from entering new areas

Get Involved With Protecting Public Lands!

Our team invites you to download and take advantage of the WildSpotter app to help our team - and other state and national agencies - track the locations of invasive species you encounter while enjoying adventures in the backcountry. By locating invasive species locations early, teams can quickly manage a problem before it becomes an infestation, which saves thousands of dollars in funding per year.

Help protect our favorite native habitats and join our District in spreading the word about responsible recreation practices you take part in to PlayCleanGo when spending time outdoors. Help us capture the PlayCleanGo theme of “Partnering Together to Protect Our Favorite Places” and show how you are committed to and inspire positive change to help protect outdoor spaces.

Tag our team @tetonweedpest on social media throughout the summer season to let us know how you #PlayCleanGo for the chance to be featured on our channels!

Thank you for helping our team spread the word on protecting our shared ecosystem in the Greater Yellowstone.

Also, we urge you to take an extra stand by taking the pledge to PlayCleanGo!

Take the pledge now: https://playcleango.org/take-action/pledge-to-stop-invasive-species/

‍