Noxious Weeds Damages Recreation Areas

Farmers spend a lot of time looking out for noxious weeds in their fields, but the invasive species can damage much more than fields.

Oregon’s Invasive Weed Awareness Week begins on Sunday and Tim Butler of the the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Noxious Weed Control Program said the problem is expansive.

“I think often times people think of invasive noxious weeds as weeds in their lawn or garden or an agricultural problem. What we are trying to emphasize this year is the importance that these things impact all Oregonians, our natural resources, and recreation, in particular.”

Weeds such as yellow starthistle, ribbongrass, or puncturevine can damage natural areas, or present hazards to people outdoors.

ODA’s Tristen Berg said that’s why it’s critical to be careful when you might be around noxious weeds and how you come in or leave natural areas.

“Basically, you are checking your bike tire after you are out riding. You are checking your shoes after hiking. You are checking your boat after boating. And you are cleaning those items where you are recreating so you aren’t moving them.”

The ODA says common sense steps of simply cleaning anything that might pick up weed seeds and carry those seeds to other locations, will go a long way in keeping Oregon a great recreational state.