Prevention Through Public Awareness

Lessons Learned in Minnesota

Jay Rendall of the Minnesota DNR (and member of the Minnesota Invasive Plant Council (MIPC) will do what it takes to increase public awareness because understanding translates into support and cooperation of the public. Changing behavior of boaters, equipment operators, truckers and ATV users to name a few has become his goal in weed prevention. Public service announcements, billboards, cartoons, and signage have slowed invasives like purple loosestrife, Eurasian milfoil, and zebra mussels. An informed boating public now takes precautions not to accidentally spread these invaders throughout Minnesota's 15,000 lakes and rivers. The most recent success of the MIPC is Governor Pawlenty's response, a Proclamation that June is Invasive Species Awareness Month in Minnesota!

Interpretative Outreach Catches Attention in Mississippi

Tate Thriffiley shared an innovative approach to public education that is working in the DeSoto National Forest, in Mississippi. He catches the attention of children and community through his creative anti-weed messages set to music. Thriffiley and his team have written original weed songs about cogongrass, purple loosestrife, and more. He capitalizes on the traditional music of his region, the blues, and suddenly adults are listening too. Tate combines cultural and environmental education in the unique Forest Service team known as The Blues Rangers. Oh yes, the Rangers managed to persuade a talented local drummer to volunteer his time to the educational effort! No one can forget the invasive plant issue after hearing the music of the Blues Rangers.

National Invasive Weed Awareness Week (NIWAW) Creates Congressional Awareness

Rob Hedberg, Weed Science Society of America, has led this national partnership effort. He characterizes the week as a time to build on each others efforts. Before NIWAW, ad hoc groups from many agricultural and environmental groups descended on Washington, DC to lobby on the weed issue. It was logical that coordinating the groups to come to town at the same time would have larger impact. And so the partnership began five years ago. NIWAW also combines efforts to avoid duplication. During the recent discussion at Weeds Across Borders, the above idea of a national weeds awareness week gained momentum. A declared national weeds awareness week could serve as a catalyst for public events across the country! Every State and County agency could publicize their local pest plants to enlist community support. This would be an offer the media could not refuse. Let's make it happen!

Patch Developed by Girl Scout Council in Connecticut

Because invasive plants infest 4600 new acres daily, and cost the United States $23 billion annually, no effort in our war on weeds should go unnoticed. Here is an example of what one Girl Scout Council in Southwestern Connecticut was able to do with a bit of creativity. The Council designed a patch that their children can now earn through identifying and eliminating invasive plants in their community. The idea is a cooperative effort or partnership of the Girl Scouts, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England, and the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group. Visit their website for patch criteria and more information: www.gscswct.org/Patch-InvasivePlant.htm.

License Plates in Montana

Thanks to the efforts of the Montana Weed Control Association, many Montana vehicles are now sporting a specialty license plate. This public awareness effort is an in-your-face effort to safeguard Montana's environment and economy.

The plate notes "Help Fight Noxious Weeds". For highway users with questions, a visit to www.mtweed.org will provide answers, including where to purchase specialty license plates and how to purchase the limited edition art prints of the art used on the plates. Specialty license plates have been used in other States like Florida and Connecticut to add awareness and funding support for native wildflowers along highways.