Level 1 Noxious Weed Management Certification Program: Tentative Agenda
September 22-24, 2015
Comfort Inn | Bozeman, Montana
Tuesday, September 22
Day 1: Plant Biology and Ecology
8:15
9:00
9:45
10:30
10:45
11:45
12:30
2:30
2:45
3:45
4:45
5:00
Pre-test, Welcome and Introductions
Plant Biology 101 – Dr. Tracy Dougher
Provides the basics of plant biology so participants can understand how weeds grow and how they are
impacted physiologically by weed control tools like herbicides, mowing, grazing, and biological
control. Will cover topics such as photosynthesis, respiration, water and nutrient movement through
plants.
Range Ecology 101 – Dr. Jeff Mosley
Covers how weeds fit into rangeland ecology and management, including discussion of increasers and
decreasers, site condition, rangeland trend, etc. Information can help one become a better weed
manager through knowledge of describing a site’s ecological status to others, identification of which
plant communities can potentially exist on a site, and assessment of management options for
changing the plant community to one that is dominated by desired plant species.
Break
Plant Morphology: Hands-on workshop – Noelle Orloff
Effective weed management begins with proper identification of both desirable and weedy plant
species. This presentation will cover the basics of plant anatomy so that weed managers are better
equipped to identify plants in the field. Topics include monocot vs. dicot, leaf arrangement, leaf type,
leaf shape, inflorescence type, and rooting structure among others.
Lunch
Plant Identification: Hands-on workshop – Noelle Orloff
A continuation of plant morphology, this workshop guides participants through the use of a
dichotomous key to identify state-listed noxious weeds. Participants will learn the basics of using a
dichotomous key as well as key diagnostic features of state-listed noxious weeds.
Break
Weed Ecology – Dr. Jane Mangold
Discusses how a weed is defined, theories about why some exotic species become highly invasive,
how weeds affect other plant species in the community, and why weeds are so prevalent in today’s
world.
Aquatic Invasive Plant Management – Dr. Ryan Thum
Covers basic biology, ecology, and management of aquatic invasive plants. Emphasis will be placed on
how aquatic invasive plants present unique challenges compared to terrestrial invasive plants, for example
their propensity to spread by fragmentation and the difficulty of controlling them through chemical
applications due to flowing water and maintaining appropriate herbicide concentrations as well as special
permitting requirements.
Weed Management Case Study- Small Group Activity
The small group activity will occur each day and present a weed management case study in which
participants will apply what they have learned each day to a real-world scenario.
Adjourn
Wednesday, September 23
Day 2: Fundamentals of Weed Management
8:15
9:00
Ecologically-based Invasive Plant Management (EBIPM) – Dr. Jane Mangold
This presentation will discuss the importance of managing for desired vegetation in tandem with
controlling invasive plants. It will focus on understanding the causes of invasion so that integrated
weed management plans can be designed to address the root cause of why weeds are present at any
given site.
Weed Dispersal and Preventing Spread – Dr. Jane Mangold
9:45
10:15
11:00
11:45
12:30
1:45
2:30
2:45
3:30
4:15
5:00
Discusses the process of invasion from introduction to naturalization and how dispersal of seeds and
other propagules plays a role. We will cover seed adaptations that help them to disperse and discuss
how management can be designed to slow or even stop dispersal processes.
Break
Herbicide Classification and Mode of Action – Dr. Bill Dyer
Will cover how herbicides can be classified based on chemical structure or family, cropping system
or ecosystem, or mode of action. Will cover how herbicides are absorbed and translocated by the
target plant and how this relates to effectiveness of chemical control.
Herbicide Resistance – Dr. Fabian Menalled
Covers why there are herbicide resistant weeds, how there can be the risk of multiple herbicide
resistance, and understand the value of an integrated weed management program in preventing the
development of herbicide resistance.
Lunch
Herbicide Formulations and Adjuvants Laboratory – Stacy Davis and Dr. Jane Mangold
Covers the various dry and liquid formulations of commonly-used herbicides on rangeland.
Participants will be guided through a hands-on laboratory that uses common kitchen ingredients to
mimic various formulations and spray adjuvants.
Targeted Grazing: A Tool for Invasive Species Management – Dr. Jeff Mosley
Covers what targeted grazing is, how it can be used to control weeds, how to develop a grazing
prescription, and how to integrate other control methods with targeted grazing. Will cover examples
of spotted knapweed, sulfur cinquefoil, cheatgrass, and leafy spurge.
Break
Biological Control of Weeds – Dr. Jeff Littlefield
Will cover what is a biocontrol, advantages and disadvantages to using them, the biocontrol process
from selecting, releasing, and monitoring the biocontrol agent.
Restoration and Revegetation – Dr. Jane Mangold
Covers the differences between revegatation, rehabilitation, and restoration. Will help participants
understand the importance of setting a revegetation goal and figure out how to design a seed mix
including what, how much, how, and when to seed.
Weed Management Case Study- Small Group Activity
Adjourn
Thursday, September 24
Day 3: Social Dimensions of Weed Management
8:00 County Noxious Weed Law – Stacy Davis and Dr. Jane Mangold
Participants will play “Weed Law Jeopardy” in which they compete in small teams to answer questions
concerning the history of state and county-listed noxious weeds, noxious weed identification, county weed
law enforcement, and weed seed free forage.
9:00 Effective Meeting Management – Dan Clark
This presentation will talk about how to run an effective public meetings, with a special emphasis on county
weed boards and processes such as Robert’s Rules of Order.
10:00 Break
10:15 The Art of Noxious Weed Management – Abigail Flannigan
Covers the use of noxious weeds in art (e.g. dyes, paper, pottery) and commercial industries (e.g. honey
production). This presentation is meant to provide participants an alternative perspective to noxious weed
impacts, especially those species that are naturalized and beyond the feasibility of eradication.
10:45 Weed Management Case Study- Small Group Activity
12:00 Lunch
12:30 Case Study Group Presentations
1:15 Post- test, award certificates and prizes
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
The Noxious Weed Management Certification Workshop is a 3-day study of weed biology,
ecology, and management. It is designed to benefit those new to weed management and
experienced professionals. Please see the attached preliminary agenda.
This workshop is the first in a series of training opportunities for local, state, federal
government, and other land managers in Montana interested in current advances in noxious
weed management. The series (Level 1 through Level 3) will include subsequent workshops
over the course of several years, and course complexity will increase with subsequent levels.
Pesticide applicator recertification credits will be available.
The Level 1 workshop is limited to 35 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis.
When: September 22-24, 2015. Please preregister by September 14.
Where: Comfort Inn, 1370 North Seventh Ave., Bozeman. A block of rooms has been reserved
for $86.00 + tax for single or double occupancy. To secure a room at this price, call 406-587-2322
by September 1 and refer to group name Weed Workshop.
Cost: The registration fee ($200) provides each attendee with course materials, supplies, and
daily snacks and lunches.
Please contact Stacy Davis at 406-994-6297 or stacy.davis1@montana.edu with questions.