Invasive Plants/Weeds and Stock Users Poster

This document is part of the Signs and Posters Toolbox at: http://www.wilderness.net/toolboxes/

ADVISORY Trailhead & Backcountry Stock Users

Help us prevent the spread of invasive plants and noxious weeds in the wilderness and backcountry.

An estimated 420,000 acres of National Forest Service Lands in Oregon and Washington are infested with invasive plants. These plants are damaging biological diversity and ecosystem integrity by displacing native plants, reducing wildlife habitat and forage, impacting threatened and endangered plants, and reducing soil productivity. Due to their spread, they impact all land ownerships and spread across all boundaries.

Here is how you can help prevent their spread, and reduce impacts to the wilderness and backcountry you are visiting.

 VEHICLES: Before your trip, thoroughly wash your truck and trailer to clean off all weed and plant debris.  STOCK: Brush down your stock and clean their hooves at home before loading up for the trip.  FEEDING: Use only pelletized or certified weed-free feed such as hay and grains in wilderness and wilderness trailheads. (This will be a requirement in all Oregon and Washington wilderness areas beginning Jan. 2007)

Thank you for preventing these invasive plants and weeds from spreading in your National Forest wilderness and backcountry’s areas.

Wallowa-Whitman NF May 2006