BLM Oregon/Washington Weeds and Invasives Program

Invasive Plants Management

One of the BLM's highest priorities is to promote ecosystem health and one of the greatest obstacles to achieving this goal is the rapid expansion of weeds across public lands. These invasive plants can dominate and often cause permanent damage to natural plant communities. If not eradicated or controlled, weeds will continue to jeopardize the health of the public lands and to constrain the myriad activities that occur on public lands.

Why worry about Noxious Weeds and Invasive Plants?

Non-native plants are plants that have been brought to a place either intentionally or unintentionally by people. Many non-native plants have the potential to rapidly expand unassisted and have negative impacts on these places, such as:

• destroy wildlife habitat
• reduce opportunities for hunting, fishing, camping and other recreational activities
• displace many Threatened and Endangered Species
• reduce plant and animal diversity due to monocultures of a single species
• disrupt waterfowl and neo-tropical migratory bird flight patterns and nesting habitats
• cost millions of dollars in treatment and loss of productivity to private land owners

Integrated Pest Management

The BLM follows the Department of the Interior’s Integrated Pest Management Policy in their efforts to manage invasive species. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a science-based decision-making process that combines tools and strategies to identify and manage pests. IPM is “a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks.”

IPM provides economic, health, and environmental benefits. IPM practitioners use knowledge of pest and host biology in combination with biological and environmental monitoring to respond to pest problems with management tactics designed to:

• prevent unacceptable levels of pest damage;
• minimize the risk to people, property, infrastructure, natural resources, and the environment; and
• reduce the evolution of pest resistance to pesticides and other pest management practices.

Prevention

The BLM works with state, federal, and local partners to reduce the spread of invasive species, with an emphasis on early detection of and rapid response to new invasions to reduce the need for larger, more expensive treatments later.

The Pacific Northwest has 16.1 million acres of public lands that unfold into a rich tapestry of diverse landscapes, starting where the mighty Columbia River crosses into northeastern Washington from Canada and ending at the lush headwaters of the Chetco River near California. Within that landscape, you’ll find 11 designated BLM Districts. Each has their own challenges with invasive species, ranging from Medusahead in arid eastern Oregon to Scotch broom on northwest Washington’s San Juan Islands.

Use the drop-down menu below to find District-specific noxious weed and invasive plant projects, treatments, proposals and other management efforts:

Burns

District-specific noxious weed and invasive plant projects, treatments, proposals and other management efforts

Coos Bay

District-specific noxious weed and invasive plant projects, treatments, proposals and other management efforts

Lakeview

District-specific noxious weed and invasive plant projects, treatments, proposals and other management efforts

Medford

District-specific noxious weed and invasive plant projects, treatments, proposals and other management efforts

Northwest Oregon

District-specific noxious weed and invasive plant projects, treatments, proposals and other management efforts

Prineville

District-specific noxious weed and invasive plant projects, treatments, proposals and other management efforts

Roseburg

District-specific noxious weed and invasive plant projects, treatments, proposals and other management efforts

Spokane

District-specific noxious weed and invasive plant projects, treatments, proposals and other management efforts

Vale

District-specific noxious weed and invasive plant projects, treatments, proposals and other management efforts

Help Slow the Spread of Noxious Weeds and Invasive Plants!

An individual can do many things to help prevent the introduction and spread of noxious weeds. Become familiar with the noxious weeds in your area and treat them on your own property to prevent their spread. Wash your vehicles and equipment before venturing into new areas to prevent tracking weeds into non-infested areas. Report weeds on BLM administered lands to the local BLM weed coordinator.