Noxious weeds have a destructive impact on Montana's landscape by displacing native plant species, increasing soil erosion, and decreasing wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.
Rangeland, pastureland, cropland, forests, and wildlands cover 92 million acres, 98% of the total land area, in Montana. These lands are vital for agricultural production and protecting the integrity of ecosystems.
The Department of Agriculture's Noxious Weed Programs offer resources and assistance with the management of state- and county-listed noxious weeds.
- The Noxious Weed Trust Fund Grant program is a reimbursable grant program, providing up to $75,000 per grant. Grant awards assist counties, landowners, local communities, researchers, and educators. Additional information can be found in the grant guidelines.
- The Noxious Weed Free Material certification program provides inspections and certification of forage products such as hay, pellets and straw, as well as gravel, mulch and other construction materials.
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Early Detection, Rapid Response program focuses on Priority 1 and 2A species and those species yet to invade Montana. Species specific task forces and strike-teams leverage funding, resources, and partnerships to keep highly invasive weeds from spreading and/or entering the state.
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Statewide Coordination includes maintaining and updating the Montana Noxious Weed Management Plan, State Agency/County Biennial Report, County and Agency Management Plans, Noxious Weed Listing Committee and petition process, and serving on many non-profit, agency, and regional weed boards and councils.
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Montana has 36 state listed noxious weed species that collaboratively affect about 8.2 million acres of Big Sky Country. Both new and continued infestations of these non-native species not only reduce the productivity of cropland and rangeland, infestations of noxious weeds diminish the productivity and biological diversity of ecosystems by negatively impacting wildlife habitat and by affecting the vitality and survival of native species due to competition for space, nutrients and water.
NAISMA hosts educational webinars on priority invasive species issues the week of NISAW and the 3rd Wednesday of each month. The 2024 NISAW webinar series is listed below.
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