– January 10-14 summit focuses on minimizing the impacts of harmful, nonnative species in a “green” economy

A coalition of public and private scientists,

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– 85 students from 11 universities compete for “Golden Hoe” award

Can you name that leafy weed overrunning your perennial bed or crowding out the fall crops in your vegetable garden?

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– Integrated control techniques used to reclaim the plant’s natural habitat

The western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara) is a delicate wildflower that has been teetering on the brink of extinction.

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– Environmental teams tackle the invasive plants and weeds that impede flood control during massive storms

When a hurricane roars inland,

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February 8-11 event in Denver to focus on our nation’s
“working landscapes”

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is expected to address the upcoming joint annual meeting of two leading scientific societies – the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) and the Society for Range Management (SRM).

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Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) is an invasive plant that is crowding out native vegetation and dominating the shorelines of southwestern rivers and streams.

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Container-grown ornamentals are a staple of the nursery industry and give homeowners a quick way to incorporate established plants into backyard gardens and landscapes. But without proper management, they also can serve as a superhighway for the spread of weeds.

During a recent fact-finding tour of aquatic ecosystems in southern Florida, officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) got an up-close look at how integrated weed management techniques are helping to control invasive weeds in lakes and wetlands. The three-day site visit was organized by scientists, engineers and educators from a variety of public and private organizations, including the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA).

As a graduate student and instructor at the University of Illinois, Ellery Knake was fascinated with weeds. He was determined to understand their impact on crops and to explore new control techniques to benefit farmers. When he died recently at age 81, Dr. Knake left behind a body of work that has made a lasting impact on both agriculture and weed science around the globe.

Home gardeners are out in full force this spring tending to lawns, gardens and flower beds. But most of us will find it's not all smooth sailing. Inevitably we will need to battle persistent weeds that rob nutrients and moisture from our prized plantings. University of Idaho weed scientist Don Morishita says homeowners can benefit from what professional farmers have known for years: an "integrated" weed management plan is best.

Compost can be a gardener's best friend. It can deliver dramatic improvements in soil quality and nutrients to nourish your plants throughout the growing season. But unless you use the right techniques, you may also find yourself with a bumper crop of weeds.

This week the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) is asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to request a rehearing of the recent Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals decision defining pesticides as pollutants and requiring Clean Water Act permits before they can be applied in or near water sources. The Court's ruling overrides existing government regulations for pesticides that are based on extensive scientific analysis.