News
October is Firewood Month!
October is Firewood Month! Did you know every person who uses the Bridger-Teton National Forest plays a vital role in protecting the forest land we all love? Enjoying a campfire at the conclusion of a day’s activities could bring some unintended consequences. Invasive and destructive pests can be transported inside of firewood that is brought in from out of the area.
Weed of the Month: Houndstongue & Black Henbane
Some of the first noxious weeds that bloom every spring are Black Henbane and Houndstongue. Both are easy to recognize once they flower. The houndstongue produces deep magenta-colored, five-petaled flowers along wiry stalks. Each flower will become a cluster of four burs that carry the plant's seeds and will stick to passers-by like Velcro.Black Henbane has foul-smelling whitish flowers with purple centers. Once pollinated, its flowers produce pineapple-shaped fruits packed with small black seeds.
Giant Hogweed and Cow Parsnip: Which is Which and Why You Should Care
This summer we fielded calls from several frantic landowners who were certain they had giant hogweed growing on their property. Heracleum mantegazzianum is a weed worthy of panic, as its sap causes severe phytophotodermatitis in humans.
Protecting our Waterways in Jackson Hole
Living in Jackson, it can be easy to take for granted the immense natural beauty that surrounds us on a daily basis-from the towering Tetons raising above our valley floor to the seemingly pristine waterways that meander through our collection of small towns. We all have a role to play to help maintain and increase the vitality of our surrounding rivers and streams.
Weed of the Month: Dames Rocket
Invasive and non-native species were introduced for a variety of reasons. Some hitched a ride and were accidentally introduced. Some were brought along and planted for their medicinal qualities. Others, like Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis L.), were brought to North America as ornamentals.
Maintenance: Equipment Calibration
Recommended application rates of commonly used herbicides can at times be difficult to understand. In the product label, most herbicide manufacturer’s state recommended rates for target species in “ounces per acre” language. For most weekend weed warriors, these instructions can be confusing when trying to mix concentrated herbicide with water to eliminate the noxious weed of choice. Through the calibration of your sprayer, this process is simplified
2019 Landowner Permission Letter
In an effort to update records, properties that have received mosquito surveillance and/or high priority invasive species control from Teton County Weed & Pest in the past may receive a letter in the mail this week to request written permission to continue control services.
Morel Mushroom Season Etiquette
Ahh.. it's May in the Tetons and the fungi are popping up everywhere. A particularly popular fungi are called Morels, they look like brains on a stem - a little crazy looking. Delicious if you like mushrooms, especially good on steaks, pasta or just stuffed.
August's Weeds of the Month: Field Bindweed & Spotted Knapweed
Field bindweed, a native of Eurasia, is thought to have been introduced into the US through contaminated seed as far back as 1739. This vine species forms a monoculture by climbing and twisting its way up anything and everything keeping other plants from reaching light.
Weed of the Month: Cheatgrass Treatment
Cheatgrass is an annual or winter annual invasive grass that can grow anywhere from 4-to-30 inches high with dense hairs on its leaf sheathes. Cheatgrass also has an early lifecycle which allows growing to begin immediately after the snow melts.