News
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Weed of the Month: Canada Thistle
Canada Thistle, Cirsium arvense, may be the cleverest weed West of the Mississippi. It boasts a long list of weedy characteristics, including: Perennial growth habit, Ability to reproduce from creeping rhizomes (underground stems that creep out laterally in all directions), An abundance of wind-dispersed seeds that are also long-lived (up to 22 years!), Spiny leaves that are avoided by wildlife and most livestock, Tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. And worst of all, roots that penetrate anywhere from 6 – 15 feet deep, sequestering nutrients that allow Canada Thistle to recover from any attempts to control it at the surface. To outsmart a weed like this, one must get to know it intimately and discover and exploit its weakness.
Remember to Prepare Your Recreation Gear For Winter Storage
November ushers in a change of the seasons and limits the amount of outdoor recreation we can participate in. Summer days are long gone and the ski resorts are not quite open. In this waiting season, you can still support the effort to prevent the spread of invasive species! Did you know properly cleaning and storing your summer recreation equipment for winter storage will have a lasting effect long-term? Preventative care now can reduce the spread of any dormant seeds and invasive species from being introduced to Teton County trails and waterways in the future.
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.
It’s Not Too Late For Perennial Treatments!
The temperatures are dropping, the aspens are turning yellow, and it seems like summer flew by in the blink of an eye. How is it almost October already?!If you think it’s too late in the season to effectively spray your weeds, think again! It’s still a great time to spray perennial plants and see results next spring.
Meet the Team: Sheccid Gonzalez
Meet Sheccid—our National Forest Crew Lead who hails from southern California! She came to TCWP in 2022 and immediately fit right in with her previous experience in natural resource management.
Are You Being Waterwise with Invasive Species?
Fall is here but there is still time for a few last glorious outings on the water! Water recreation and sports are a highlight of living in the Jackson Hole region. Whether it be lazy summer days spent paddling at String Lake or having a picnic at scenic overlooks around Jackson Lake all season, water sports make mountain living a dream. There is an ever-increasing threat to our waterways though and that is with aquatic invasive species.
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Hiking in the Tetons - Reduce the Spread of Invasive Species
Bluebird skies, cooler weather, and quieter trails bring the much anticipated fall hiking season in the Tetons. Hiking in the fall in the Grand Tetons is the breath of fresh air all of the locals have been waiting for after another frenzy of tourist season. Do you know how to protect the environment around you from invasives as you go out hiking this season?
Meet the Team: Ben Walters
We are thrilled to have young and passionate college students work here at TCWP! Ben Walters is studying Ecology at Purdue and will graduate in May after he leaves TCWP for the season to head back to school. Keep reading to get to know a little bit about what his dream job is, his hobbies here in Jackson, and the unique attributes he brings to the team.
Weed of the Month: Saltcedar
Saltcedar, an invasive and adaptable shrub, has been known to take over Western riverbanks, threatening native ecosystems with its aggressive growth and water-depleting nature. Its wispy appearance and deep pink flowers may charm, but the havoc it wreaks on wildlife biodiversity demands urgent attention and control.
Weed of the Month: Eurasian Watermilfoil
Eurasian Watermilfoil is an aquatic invasive plant that’s considered a priority one species in Teton county. This means that there is no known infestation and it is a considerable concern of ours. It spreads locally by rhizomes, stem fragments, and seeds, and can be spread to other bodies of water as vegetative material attached to watercraft and equipment.