TCWP Volunteer Opportunity: EDDMapS West

Learning how to use EDDMapS West  can be a rewarding volunteer opportunity for Teton County’s outdoor enthusiasts to help the Weed & Pest District locate high priority  invasive plants. This program is designed to increase Early Detection/Rapid Response (EDRR) weed management efforts by helping local volunteers to identify and survey for twelve high-priority noxious weed species.These 12 species are: saltcedar, leafy spurge, Dyer’s woad, common St. Johns wort, rush skeletonweed, oxeye daisy, common tansy, whitetop, Dalmatian toadflax, yellow toadflax, spotted knapweed, and field bindweed. The first four listed are the highest priority and volunteers are asked to report them anywhere in Teton County.  The remaining eight species are more common and will only be reported if found 50 feet beyond roadsides and ½ mile beyond trailheads. Teton County Weed and Pest (TCWP) maintains an extensive mapping database of weeds present on roadsides and trailheads because most of these species are transported by human activities. Learn to ID these species here!The volunteers will use the EDDMapS West website and mobile application for reporting of the targeted species.  EDDMapS West was originally developed and launched for the six Missouri River Watershed Coalition headwater states of Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming in September 2010. Thanks to tremendous interest throughout the West, and support from the Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund and the US Forest Service - State and Private Forestry Program, the system quickly expanded to include seven additional western states (Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington) in 2011.This project will continue to protect habitat by using the EDRR method for responding to noxious weed infestations while there is a high potential for eradication. Native and desirable plant communities will benefit from reduced competition from  invasives to help maintain ecosystem function thus allowing for a more optimal carrying capacity for wildlife. Because of this cooperative effort, volunteers will help TCWP stay ahead of the spread of invasive species in Teton County. Learn more here!