Healthy Acres A RESOURCE TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LANDS AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
Winter 2020
Mosquito Surveillance Marni Rolston - Research Associate, Veterinary Entomology Lab
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osquito surveillance activities provide important data on the abundance, distribution and disease potential of mosquito species, giving local governments the information they need to manage their mosquito populations. In 2019, Missoula County collected far fewer Culex mosquitoes (the main vectors of West Nile virus) than during the previous year. There was a small peak of Culex mosquitoes collected during June, which may represent females emerging from diapause, or winter hibernation. These recently emerged females are unable to transmit WNV until later in Page 2
Common buckthorn is a large shrub or
small tree native to Europe that was added to Montana’s noxious weed list in 2017. Although this species forms dense thickets and has been found in at least 27 counties throughout the state, it is inconspicuous to the untrained eye, as it is superficially similar to several native species and exists in scattered populations.
the summer, after they have drawn a positive bloodmeal from a WNV-positive host, and developed the potential to transfer it to their next host. Therefore, Culex mosquitoes emerging in the spring have very low potential to transmit the virus. The remainder of the 2019 summer season produced low Culex numbers, likely due to the cool temperatures that prevailed. Mosquitoes grow and develop more slowly in cooler temperatures, which lengthens each generation, and reduces the number of mosquitoes that emerge. Smaller mosquito populations means there is a smaller risk of WNV transmission.
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Pollinator Initiative
As a kick-off to our 2020 pollinator initiative, the Missoula Conservation District will be hosting a showing of The Pollinators, an award winning film about the beekeeping industry and the many challenges they face while assisting American agriculture.
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Big Sky Watershed Corps
For the past two years the Missoula Cuonty Weed District has hosted a Big Sky Watershed Corps member. Head to page 8 to meet our 2 newest members for the 2020 season.
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Common Buckthorn in Montana
Yvette Ortega, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is a large shrub or small tree native to Europe that was added to Montana’s noxious weed list in 2017.
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lthough this species forms dense thickets and has been found in at least 27 counties throughout the state, it is inconspicuous to the untrained eye, as it is superficially similar to several native species and exists in scattered populations. Common buckthorn is known to be invasive in the Northeast and northern Midwest of the United States, where it is common and widespread. However, its status in Montana was unknown until recently, when researchers from the Rocky Mountain Research Station collaborated with Missoula Parks and Recreation’s Conservation Lands Management Program to locate and study common buckthorn invasions as supported by the Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund. Data collected in deciduous woodlands along major streams and rivers in and around Missoula, Helena, Bozeman, and Billings showed that buckthorn invasions negatively impact the abundance of native vegetation, particularly shrub species that typically form the mid-story of riparian communities. These results supported the decision to list common buckthorn as a noxious weed in Montana. Researchers were also able to provide insight into the timeline of common buckthorn invasions in Montana by counting annual growth rings on individual plants to estimate their age. The youngest plant to show evidence of reproduction was seven years old, confirming the pattern seen in other regions. Therefore, even though common buckthorn is an aggressive invader, its populations build slowly relative to those of other types of invaders. Importantly, buckthorn’s impacts on native vegetation also build over time, following the same extended timeline. As a result, detecting common buckthorn early in the invasion process and acting quickly to eradicate or contain an infestation will go far to minimize negative consequences. Successful management 2 Missoula County Weed District & Extension
of common buckthorn invasions can be achieved with a combination of mechanical and chemical control (see MSU Extension MontGuide Weed Fact Sheet MT201708AG at msuinvasiveplants. org for details). Identification of common buckthorn is easiest in the late fall when most native woody plants have lost their foliage while the invader still has green leaves and noticeable black ber-
Healthy Acres: Winter 2020
Common Buckthorn in Montana
Research site in Billings, MT showing gradient of increasing common buckthorn invasion from left to right (photo by Annamarie Oesterreich)
lost their foliage while the invader still has green leaves and noticeable black berry-like fruits of about 0.25 inch in diameter. Leaves of common buckthorn are oval, glossy, and dark green with finely toothed margins and 3-6 pairs of veins curving toward the tip from the mid-vein. The tips of twigs usually have short, sharp thorns. Note that the widespread native species, chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), has a similar leaf shape, but 7-9 pairs of veins and no thorns. Another native species resembling common buckthorn is alder buckthorn (R. alnifolia), which is found primarily in the western portion of the state, lacks thorns, and has flowers with five petals instead of four. The outer bark of com-
mon buckthorn is brown or gray, while the inner bark on older individuals is a distinctive orange to yellow color (revealed by scraping stems and twigs with a knife, key, or even fingernail).
The commitment of our volunteers to the work of the Foundation is greatly appreciated and is critical to its success in supporting MCWDE. In recent months, the Foundation has expanded its board to include: Bill Caras, George Hirschenberger, Philip Ramsey, Ryan Rubie, Kari Brittain, Ken Stolz and Bev Gutman. We look forward to their involvement and leadership. he Healthy Acres Healthy CommuWatch for the reveal of our website, healthynities Foundation provides philacres.org in the next few weeks and check out anthropic support to the programs ways to support your favorite programs and and projects of Missoula County services. The Foundation is an integral partner Weed District & Extension. Supporting in the creation of the Rocky Mountain Gardens public needs in the areas of land management, & Exploration Center (our future facility) to youth development, and family and consumer be located on the Missoula Fairgrounds. Look sciences, the foundation is dedicated to crefor project information at healthyacres.org. ating an engaged community that cultivates For more information contact: Jean Jenkins, vibrant, thriving urban and rural lands for Foundation Coordinator at 406-258-4221 or future generations. jenkins@healthyacres.org.
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Missoula County Weed District & Extension 3
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Establishing Photo Points Establishing photo points in the places whre you are planning on conducting noxious weed control and/or revegetation projects is a quick and easy way to gauge your success.
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uch information can be gleaned from a photograph and most of us can easily see changes in vegetation when comparing two photos. While setting up monitoring plots or mapping your vegetation are also very effective methods of gauging the effectiveness of your vegetation management projects, photo points don’t require special training or equipment and most of us have a high-quality digital camera in our pockets. An added bonus of photo points is that even if you can’t tell spotted knapweed from silky lupine, you can bring your pictures to an expert who can. The most effective photo points show a broad swath of your landscape and hopefully contain some landmarks or features that can help orient you when comparing one year to another. The photos seen here from Mount Sentinel, for example, have the two rock outcroppings that are very recognizable even though the orientation of the two photos are slightly different. It makes it easier to redo your photo point in subsequent years if you choose a distinct feature like a rock or stump to stand on when you take your pictures. Alternatively, you can mark your photo points with a stake or some kind of marker, or you can record the location with GPS. 4 Missoula County Weed District & Extension
Ideally you will establish your photo points prior to conducting any weed control or revegetation, this gives you a nice baseline which helps assess the results of your project. When retaking your photos in subsequent years, it is important to take them as close to the original date as possible. Although the growth cycle for plants can vary from season to season, there will be a noticeable difference if your first-year photos were taken in the early spring and the second year in late summer. This can be seen in the Mount Sentinel photos: the 2017 photo was taken in June while the 2007 photo was taken in August. It is also important to time your photography for when the vegetation is actively growing, pictures of a snowy pasture won’t be very helpful for assessing vegetation. Not only are photo points an easy way to track the success of your vegetation management projects, hopefully they will allow you to show off your accomplishments to your friends and neighbors. Instead of saying, “You should have seen what it looked like before,” you can show them. If you have any questions about photo points, don’t hesitate to contact me: Jed Little, Missoula County Weed District, 2584220, mapping@missoulaeduplace.org.
Healthy Acres: Winter 2020
Pollinator Film Tour
According to estimates from the Pollinator Partnership, one out of every three bits of food we eat relies onn pollinators.
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ccording to estimates from the Pollinator Partnership, one out of every three bites of food we eat relies on pollinators, such as native bumble bees or domestic honey bees. However, all pollinators have been on the decline in recent decades due to a number of factors. This has led to conservation organizations, including Missoula Conservation District and Missoula Weed District, to focus on efforts aimed at increasing pollinators and their habitats. As a kick-off to our 2020 pollinator initiative, the Missoula Conservation District will be hosting a showing of The Pollinators, an award winning film about the beekeeping industry and the many challenges they face while assisting American agriculture. The film will be shown at The Roxy Theater in Missoula on Saturday, March 28th beginning at 7:15 pm. A question and answer session with the director and cinematographer, Peter Nelson, will immediately follow the film. Additional information on pollinators and seed mixes to promote desirable habitat will also be available from the Missoula Conservation District and their partners. A preview of The Pollinators is available at https://vimeo.com/333561076 The film showing on March 28th at The Roxy is one of three showings of The Pollinators that will take place in western Montana as a larger undertaking by conservation districts in the region who are working to educate the public about the importance of pollinators. Lake County Conservation District will host a film
showing on March 25th at the Polson Theaters. Flathead Conservation District will host a showing of the film on March 27th at the Flathead Lake Brewing Company in Bigfork. For more information about The Pollinators film showing in Missoula, please contact Bryan Vogt, Program Specialist with the Missoula Conservation District, at 406-880-3526 or bryan.vogt@ macdnet.org.
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Spring Cleaning Tips Kelly Moore - Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, Missoula Extension
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he calendar may soon announce the arrival of “Spring” but, it is anyone’s guess as to how the ground or the sky will look on March 20th in Montana. With a little over a month left to speculate, why not cease the moment to do something creative, productive, and uplifting in preparation for the return of Spring! Completing a task or checking off something on your “to do” list now, may leave you with more time to plan a much-deserved vacation. Even if you’ve never considered yourself to be the organized type, making small changes could serve as a catalyst for beginning the overwhelming tasks on your list. Cleaning an entire house, garage, or storage shed can be a daunting task! Consider tackling smaller jobs such as cleaning out a clothes-closet or reorganizing a drawer. Use the same approach-if it hasn’t been worn in the past year, give it away! A word of caution-I recently tossed a sweater into the Good Will box that I had forgotten was borrowed, not purchased, from a friend-now, former, friend. Make sure all socks have a match and all shoes have a function. If you still haven’t replaced that missing button or repaired a tear, give it away. If you haven’t been able to downsize into those smaller sized pants in the past year, give them away and set some new, more attainable fitness 6 Missoula County Weed District & Extension
goals. Toss old make-up and almost- empty shampoo bottles. Use old toothbrushes for cleaning grout in your tiled shower. In the kitchen, throw out old seasonings (1 year is the typical shelf life) and outdated food (to ensure optimal quality, safely processed, home canned food can be stored for 12-18 months), commercially canned food can be kept at stable temperatures for 2 years for best quality, and up to 5 years for safe consumption. Clean kitchen cutting boards with salt and by rubbing the cut side of a fresh lemon across the stained surface. Mix ½ cup baking soda and ¼ cup table salt with a few tablespoons of hot water. Pour the mixture down that slow draining kitchen sink. Follow with 1 cup heated vinegar. It’s budget- friendly and environmentally safe. Don’t forget to wash pet bedding when washing your family’s bedding. Take advantage of breezy sunny days to help destroy the stale winter odors of indoor fabrics and bedding. Don’t forget to change out your HVAC system filters that may help block some potential allergens in your home and keep your system free from harmful debris. Consult your manufacturer for recommendations. Want more helpful hints? www.Cleanandhappynest.org is a go to for exuberant spring cleaners. New paint does wonders for front doors! We express ourselves through color and nothing screams “Welcome!” like a freshly painted red front door while blue evokes a sense of calm and black is a vision of elegance. Maybe your worn- out welcome mat needs attention as well. Let your creative side go crazy by spray painting those outdoor rubber welcome mats. With so many indoor tasks completed, you will be ready to once again take on the maintenance of the summer lawn, the garden, the canning, and the family reunion. Happy spring cleaning!
Healthy Acres: Witner 2020
Missoula 4-H Local 4-H Ambassodors attend State Leadership Conference
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ix Missoula teens attended Montana’s 4-H Ambassador Leadership Training in Bozeman for three days of fun but intense workshops designed to give them the skills necessary to represent 4-H in public, serve as mentors and role models for younger members, organize and run meetings and improve their community through the 4-H Leadership Project. Kara Klietz, a Senior at Frenchtown High School from the Mullan Trail Mustangs 4-H Club is currently serving as a State 4-H Ambassador Officer. In addition to helping plan this conference, Kara taught a workshop entitled “Kill them with Kindness,” where participants learned about leadership styles, and how to recognize kindness in their everyday lives. The theme for the conference was “Leadership makes the Mission Possible.” All participants accepted “missions” where they learned how to Serve, Promote and Lead through their roles in 4-H. State officers taught additional workshops, including “Finding a Silver lining to Make the Best Better,” “Building Blocks of Communication,” “Ages and Stages of Youth Development,” and “Character Counts!” Missoula County was well-represented, tying Yellowstone County 4-H for most Ambassadors in attendance at the event. The current Ambassador team for Missoula 4-H
is led by Sophie Kolb, a Senior at Frenchtown High School who is also President of the Mullan Trail Mustangs 4-H Club. Gavin Bauman and Kallie Rummell from the newly formed 406 4-H Club serve locally as an Ambassador representa-
tive to the 4-H Council Board (Gavin) and the Ambassador representative to the 4-H Livestock Committee (Kallie). Maddy Warren and Ammarie Sowers, both from the Blue Mountain 4-H Club, the largest in the County with 60 members, are new to the Ambassadors, but serve as a 4-H Council Rep (Maddy) and Ambassador team Secretary (Ammarie). All Ambassadors are regular 4-H Club members, often also serving in leadership roles within their 4-H clubs, schools organizations, sports teams and communities. They help organize and run county 4-H events, including the Western Montana Fair, and they travel around the county visiting the 16 Missoula 4-H Clubs to promote participation in local and state-level 4-H events. Ambassadors are available to speak to community organizations or other youth groups upon request. Contact Campbell Barrett, 4-H Extension Agent at 258-4203 or cbarrett@montana.edu.
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2020 Big Sky Watershed Corps Meet Madeline Gaffigan
Where are you from? Elizabeth, Colorado
Why were you interested in becoming a Big Sky Watershed Corps member? I was intrigued with Montana, and its open spaces. I missed living in the Rocky Mountains after being in Washington for two years- I had also just finished up a term with Americorps, but knew I wanted to explore another location. The mission of Big Sky Watershed Corps resonated with me because of its setting, overarching goal, and connection with the indigenous communities of Montana. Why were you interested in working with the Missoula Weed District? I am very interested in Biocontrol. Most of my practice with invasive species has been using other methods, so this seems like a good chance to learn about alternative control. I wanted to be doing something related to agriculture and working with landowners across the region; MCWD seemed like a good fit considering the weed district and their existing stakeholders. I also love the location of Missoula. Forming a sense of place where I am living comes down to getting to know the community closely, and the social environment of Missoula seemed akin to that. What projects are you most excited to work on? Leave No Weeds and Pollinator Program sound amazing because of how much I enjoy working with kids. Teaching environmental practice to younger kids is especially rewarding to me as I find it to be one of the best things we can do for our neighbors near and far. I want to be a part of raising that generation to care for their surrounding environment. I’m also incredibly excited to be involved in all the biocontrol projects, and converse with Montana landowners about what types of changes they are seeing on their farms, and how the surrounding community is responding to invasive species, and shifts in climate. 8 Missoula County Weed District & Extension
What do you like most about Missoula so far? I just came from Seattle, but my hometown, Elizabeth, is a very small agricultural town. Missoula has the good parts of both. People are open and friendly like a small town but there is also a lot of progressive things happening here. There is also good beer, great camping and interesting events! Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In grad school focusing on some type of interdis-
ciplinary approach to people, land management and agriculture. Maybe buying property to start my own closed system sustainable farm… What do you enjoy doing for fun? I love reading all types of literature, writing short stories, raising my plant children, finding any body of water to swim in, taking local dance and art classes. And most importantly, keeping in touch with my friends and family. What’s one thing you want to do during your year in Montana? I really want to see more of Glacier National Park. Somehow visiting all the natural hot springs in the area would also be great. I mostly want to get involved in the community while I’m here through volunteering with local farms or the humane society. If you were a color, what would it be? A light lavender, maybe lilac.
Healthy Acres: Winter 2020
2020 Big Sky Watershed Corps Meet Brant Dupree
Where are you from? Winston-Salem, North Carolina
land around me as well as myself. Having a dog wouldn’t hurt either.
Why were you interested in becoming a Big Sky Watershed Corps member? Past supervisors and co-workers have served with Americorp and their service set them up for success. Big Sky Watershed is a prime example of an excellent Americorp program and one I wanted to explore.
What do you enjoy doing for fun? I love to fly fish and backpack, especially during the warmer months. During colder days I tie flies, grab a drink with friends, or exploring the
Why were you interested in working with the Missoula Weed District? My past experiences working with invasive species and outreach led me to pursue a position with the Missoula County Weed District. The district has a fantastic focus on invasive species and continues to have positive growth towards innovative answers. What projects are you most excited to work on? I’m excited to expand on the outreach programs set up by past BSWC members to spread information on aquatic invasive species. Driving around beautiful Northwestern Montana and speaking with the community about issues they care about is exciting. What do you like most about Missoula so far? Great city to run/bike in, as well as the multitude of trails around the city. The location is gorgeous, and some great breweries and eateries are just a short drive into town. An almost overwhelming number of streams and rivers is exciting for an avid fly fisher like myself. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I would like to see myself promoting the environment and the communities found within it, focusing on local issues and bettering the
nearest thrift store. What’s one thing you want to do during your year in Montana? I would love to ice skate outside on one of Montana’s many lakes. And then fish on the rest of them. If you were a color, what would it be? Forest green, because of my deep appreciation for nature and its impact on my life.
Interested in learning more about Missoula County Weed District and Extension Service programs, trainings, or future development at the fairgrounds, email Pirrie at pirrie@missoulaeduplace.org to sign-up to receive future newsletters.
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Youth in Restoration High School Summer Employment
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he Missoula County Weed District is hiring for the Youth in Restoration program. Each summer the Weed District provides 4 high school students a unique opportunity to participate and learn about local stewardship projects within Western Montana. Youth in Restoration is a cooperative program that builds collaborative partnerships between diverse land management organizations, while providing youth crew members with career mentoring and onthe-ground training in natural resource conservation work. The youth crew participates in a variety of hands-on activities over their 8 weeks of service. A typical day may include: removal of noxious weeds on public and/or private land,
Upcoming Events Lunch & Learn
March 11th
Mushrooms Learn the best way to clean them, cook them and grow them! Find your favorite fungi!
monitoring and mapping vegetation such as newly discovered invasive grass species, collecting and releasing thousands of biological control insects, removal of fencing that inhibits wildlife movement, removing browse cages as part of an ongoing stream restoration effort to enhance native trout populations, thinning for fire suppression in an old-growth ponderosa pine forest, backpacking into the Bob Marshall Wilderness to remove noxious weeds, or floating the local rivers and lakes to monitor for aquatic invasive species. For more information contact Steffany @ 285-4211 or steffany@missoulaeduplace.org
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May 13th
Healthy Food Processor Dips One appliance, no-mess, no fuss, healthy and DELICIOUS Samples available for your tasting. Contact Kelly, 258-4206 to sign-up!
Private Applicator Training
March 26th
8-5:30
Join the MSU County Extension Offices of western Montana for a full day training and certification program for pesticide applicators who wish to certify as a Private Applicator. The class will be the initial certification series, and result in a PAT license with the Department of Agriculture. Fore more information contact Steffany @ 258-4211 or register at this link.