The Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is partnering with the Kandiyohi County SWCD to provide cost-share assistance to landowners, townships and cities in Stearns and Kandiyohi counties to eradicate priority noxious weeds.
Five species have been selected as priorities for increased public awareness and eradication.
These species are:
• Wild parsnip.
• Leafy spurge.
• Purple loosestrife.
• Spotted knapweed.
• Common tansy.
Each of these species has the potential to displace or remove our native habitat. The SWCDs feel that we have the opportunity to act now and remove these plants before they can sustain a presence.
Please be extremely cautious when you are working around wild parsnip, which can be found along roads or abandoned fields or lots. The plant's sap and bristles can cause severe blistering and swelling when combined with sunlight.
Infestations of these five species occur in a variety of habitats and sites. Control measures should focus on eliminating seed production and depleting the seed bed. The SWCDs have financial assistance available and can pay 100 percent of treatment and control costs up to $800.
For more information, go to http://StearnsCountySWCD.net/pages/CooperativeWeedManagementGrant/, or call or email Jason Selvog or Megan Herbst with the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District at 251-7800, ext. 3, Jason.email@example.com or firstname.lastname@example.org.