MEDIA ADVISORY

TO:                     News Directors and Education and Environmental Reporters

FROM:                University Relations

SUBJECT:           Noxious and Invasive Plant Management Strategic Plan Workshop

DATE & TIME:     February 1, 2001, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

LOCATION:          Noel Wien Library

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service is sponsoring an all day workshop to develop a strategy to combat invasive and noxious plants in Alaska. Thirty separate agencies from around the state are expected to participate in the workshop Thursday, Feb. 1 at the Noel Wien Library from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Cooperative Extension Weed Specialist Dave Wattenbarger, who helped develop a similar strategy in the state of Idaho, will facilitate the strategic planning.

Noxious plants destroy cultivated fields, wildlife habitat and recreation areas by out-competing native plants. Invasive plants also deteriorate essential habitat and reduce the value of land. Both noxious and invasive plants are difficult to control, especially in ecologically sensitive areas such as state and national parks.

These aggressive plants can be brought into the state on recreation vehicles, in agricultural products and seed mixes used for vegetation projects. The management of these plants costs Western states and Canadian provinces millions of dollars.

Noxious plants such as the Perennial Sowthistle, Canada thistle, Quackgrass, Hempnettle, Butter-and-Eggs, Tufted Vetch and Wild Buckwheat and invasive plants such as Japanese Knotweed, Hawk's Beard, White Sweet Clover and Foxtail Barley are just a few of the weeds becoming part of Alaska's landscape.

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CONTACT: Cooperative Extension Service Integrated Pest Management Technician, Marta Mueller at (907) 474-2428 or email: ftmrm@uaf.edu, or CES Land Resources Agent, Michele He'bert at (907) 474-2423 or email: ffmah@uaf.edu.

CJB/044ma/01/30/01