Description
BLM Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Programs work to prevent, detect, inventory, control, and monitor weed populations on public lands.Invasive species cost the public millions of dollars in control and management each year and many invasive plants and noxious weeds are highly competitive and have the ability to permanently degrade our public lands.Noxious weeds and invasive species expansion are recognized as the single greatest threat to our native plant communities and the values they provide us.These native plant communities are essential for supporting wildlife habitat, watershed function, recreation opportunities, rural economies and working landscapes.Invasive plants and noxious weeds affect plant and animal communities on farms and ranches, and in parks, waters, forests, natural areas, and backyards in negative ways.Human activity such as trade, travel, and tourism have all increased substantially, escalating the speed and volume of species movement to unprecedented levels.Increased site vulnerability from wildfires that are more frequent and other disturbances is an ongoing challenge to maintaining the integrity of our native plant communities.Noxious weeds are particularly aggressive plants legally designated by states as being injurious to public health, the environment or the economy.Invasive species and noxious weeds adversely affect overall recreational opportunities on public land i.e., hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, watershed health and ecosystem function which result in economic losses in rural and urban communities.Invasive species and noxious weeds affect adjacent private lands, both rural and urban, causing widespread economic losses to the agricultural industry as well as to other resources.