Seasonal Noxious Weed Bulletin & Land Ambassador Highlight

Welcome to the seasonal Noxious Weed Educational Bulletin. 
As a means to increase public awareness of noxious weeds and how to eradicate them, as well as celebrate landowners who go above and beyond in stewarding their lands through the effective management of noxious weed populations, Whidbey Island Conservation District partners with the Island County Noxious Weed Program on a seasonal quarterly Weed Bulletin - which in 2021 has evolved to include an interactive StoryMap that includes information about noxious weed projects taking place on publicly owned lands by Island County, and endeavors taken on by private landowners.

​Check out the current StoryMap below and join us in thanking this season's land ambassadors!

Current Issue: Fall 2021

Click on image to view or download.

“We love nature’s forests but understand that a healthy forested parcel needs the care of ongoing maintenance,” shared Dawn.  “Being new residents of Washington . . . there was a lot to learn for that care. Reading up on Scotch Broom, we learned that it displaces native and beneficial plants that could cause loss of open forest land. Additionally, we read that its seeds are toxic to livestock and horses and that human poisoning has been reported. Definitely not good for forestry or livestock so it cannot be good for other wildlife or for my puppy either, right? Best removed!”
​
​-Dawn Sherman, Langley

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Weed Bulletin Archive

Click on the name of the bulletin you would like to view:​​​​

• Fall 2021 - Scotch Broom StoryMap & Summer Ambassador - Dawn Sherman
• Spring 2021 - Spurge Laurel StoryMap & Spring Ambassadors: Joan Stoupa & Doug Nierman
• Summer 2020 - Weed Grasses - Common Reed, Reed Canary Grass, Nonnative Cattails
• Spring 2020 - The Bio-Control Issue 
• Winter 2019 - Dense Flowered Cordgrass, Eurasian Watermilfoil, S American Spongeplant
• Fall 2019 - Musk Thistle, Plumeless Thistle, Perennial Sowthistle
• Summer 2019 - Lesser Celadine, Policeman's Helmet, Giant Reed
• Spring 2019 - Orange Hawkweed, Dalmatian Toadflax, English Ivy
• Winter 2018-19 - Giant Hogweed, Gorse, Parrotfeather
• ​Fall 2018 - Common Cordgrass, Common Fennel, Butterfly Bush 
• Summer 2018 - Brazilian Elodea, Garden Loosestrife, Perennial Pepperweed
• Spring 2018 - Italian Arum, Poison Hemlock, Sulfur Cinquefoil
• Winter 2017-18 - Shiny Geranium, Absinth Wormwood, Spurge Laurel
• ​Fall 2017 - Yellow Archangel, Field Bindweed, Herb Robert
• ​Summer 2017 - Hairy Willowherb, Purple Loosestrife, Spotted Knapweed
• Spring 2017 - Tansy Ragwort, Knotweed, Garlic Mustard
• January 7, 2016 - Velvetleaf​​

• October 8, 2015 - Purple Starthistle
• ​May 1, 2015 - Poison Hemlock
• March 25, 2015 - Spurge Laurel
• September 25, 2014 - Himalayan Blackberry
• August 8, 2014 - Tansy Ragwort
• July 10, 2014 - Canada Thistle
• September 20, 2013 - Knotweeds
• September 12, 2013 - Yellow Starthistle
• September 5, 2013 - Purple Loosestrife
• August 29, 2013 - Bittersweet Nightshade
• August 22, 2013 - Sulfur Cinquefoil 
• August 15, 2013  - Teasel
• August 8, 2013 - Milk Thistle​
• August 1, 2013 - English Ivy

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Island County Noxious Weeds General Information

Noxious weeds are non-native plants that, once established, are highly destructive, competitive and difficult to control. They have economic and ecological impacts and are very difficult to manage once they get established. Some are toxic or a public health threat to humans and animals, others destroy native and beneficial plant communities. To help protect the state's resources and environment, the Washington State Noxious Weed Board adopts a state weed list each year (Chapter 16-750 WAC), in accordance with the state noxious weed law (Chapter 17.10 RCW). Noxious weeds are separated into classes A, B, and C based on distribution, abundance, and level of threat (how dangerous the plants is to humans, animals, private and public lands, and native habitats). The goal of the state weed law is to prevent the spread of new and recently introduced weeds while it is still feasible to do so. Class A weeds are the most limited in distribution and therefore the highest priority for control. Class B and C weeds vary in priority based on local distribution and impacts. Not all weeds are classified as noxious weeds in Washington State and only species that are not native to the state are considered for noxious weed listing. The Island County Noxious Weed Control Board is appointed by the Board of Island County Commissioners to carry out the mandates of the Washington State noxious weed control law, Chapter 17.10 RCW.  The board members are volunteers who reside in Island County and who have an interest in and knowledge about agriculture and/or the natural resources of the county.  Each board member represents one of five Island County weed districts. 

Each year, the Board adopts the Island County Noxious Weed List, which specifies which noxious weeds property owners are required to control in the county. The county weed list includes all Class A weeds on the state noxious weed list, all Class B weeds designated by the state for control in the county, and any additional Class B or C weeds that are designated by the county weed board for required control in the county. All Class A, B and C weeds on the county weed list need to be controlled by the property owner. 

• Class A Weeds: Non-native species whose distribution in Washington is still limited. Preventing new infestations and eradicating existing infestations are the highest priority. Eradication of all Class A plants is required by law throughout Washington. 
• Class B Weeds:  Non-native species presently limited to portions of Washington. Species are designated for control in regions where they are not yet widespread. Preventing new infestations in these areas is a high priority. In regions where a Class B species is already abundant, control is decided at the local level, with containment as the primary goal.
• Class C Weeds:  Noxious weeds that are typically widespread in Washington or are of special interest to the state’s agricultural industry. The Class C status allows counties to require control if locally desired or to choose to provide education or technical consultation.

Property owners are required to control Class A weeds and any Class B or C weeds that are designated by the state or selected by the county weed board for control in their area. "Control" as defined in WAC 16-750 means to prevent the dispersal of all propagating parts capable of forming a new plant. Class A weeds need to be eradicated or removed entirely and Class B and C weeds designated or selected for an area need to be controlled to prevent their spread.

• For more information on Washington’s Noxious Weed Control Laws, go to: http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/ab_weedlaws.htm
• For more information about control of noxious weeds in Island County, contact Seth Luginbill, Island County Noxious Weed Coordinator, at 360-678-7992, or s.luginbill@islandcountywa.gov.​
• For a list of Commercial Applicators, Private Applicators, and Structural Pest Inspectors through Washington State Department of Agriculture, click here.
• Other resources:
  • ​Here's a tips sheet on Stinging Nettle management. Although a native plant, many landowners find its aggressive growth form "obnoxious." It isn't consider "noxious" from a regulatory standpoint, but this factsheet provides some helpful tips for management of nettle for those who do not prefer it.