Noxious and Problem weed Management                 Noxious weeds are second only to development in destroying our natural open space.  These aggressive plants establish persistent colonies by invading disturbed land and natural landscapes.  Leafy spurge, purple loosestrife, diffuse knapweed, Canada thistle, puncture vine, Russian thistle, Kochia, poison hemlock, bindweed and scotch thistle are some of the most aggressive and difficult to manage.   Invasive weeds species come from all over the world, predominately Eurasia and Africa.  Once a weed invasion is established, it is extremely difficult and costly to control and eliminate.  The Natural Areas Program staff use a number of management methods   Links Goats-in-the-City (pdf) Kid working with Kids (pdf) Selective mowing (uses mowing based on appropriate timing and plant selection) How Mowing Will Change (pdf)

Goals Goals for the Noxious and Problem Weed Management Division Maintain with the State's noxious weed law Keep the citywide integrated noxious weed management program current based on ecological and economic principles Employ an integrated approach including the use of plant diversity, competition and succession, physical, biological, cultural and chemical controls as well as habitat modification where appropriate Develop an integrated weed management program for plants that are a nuisance, but not considered noxious Respond promptly and effectively in managing weedy species in order to reduce costs and time.  This will allow more dollars to be spent for other purposes