California Invasive Weeds Awareness Week

July 18-24, 2005

Italian thistle invades grasslands and chaparral along the coast, in the Sierra foothills, and in the Sacramento Valley(Bob Case).

The second annual California Invasive Weeds Awareness Week allows local groups that control invasive plants a chance to show off their hard work while educating local citizens and policymakers. Weeds Week is a project of the California Invasive Weeds Awareness Coalition (CALIWAC), with local activities organized by Weed Management Areas and other groups. Activities around the state will include displays, field trips, kids' activities, and maybe even a chance to get dirty and pull some plants! If your group would like to organize an activity, see below for a list of helpful suggestions. Descriptions of Weed Awareness Week activities may be sent to Elizabeth Brusati, edbrusati@cal-ipc.org, for posting on this website.

Local Activities by County (more will be added as information becomes available):

El Dorado County Weed Management Area

Why do we care about invasive weeds in El Dorado County?

Invasive weed displays and information open to the public during the month of July 2005 at:

El Dorado County Board of Supervisors Chambers 330 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA
El Dorado County Library 345 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA
Contact: Wendy West (530) 621-5533 or wkwest@ucdavis.edu

Lassen County Species Weed Action Team (Lassen SWAT)

Displays at local agencies and Lassen Community College. Visit their display at the Lassen County Fair and talk to Weed Warriors about projects in Lassen County. In addition, look for newspaper and local cable TV coverage.

Monterey County (Ft. Ord and Monterey WMAs)

The Return of the Natives project at California State University-Monterey Bay will hold a community weed volunteer event in the Creeks of Salinas on Saturday, July 16. Follow the website link for more information.

Instructions for Weed Management Areas and other groups:

Your local weed group is encouraged to get the word out during California Invasive Weeds Awareness Week (CIWAW) that great invasive weed work is happening locally and around the state! Begin formulating a plan to educate the general public, policymakers and state legislators regarding the incredible, successful projects and activities that YOUR group is spearheading to stop the introduction and spread of invasive weeds.

The California Invasive Weeds Awareness Coalition (CALIWAC) has produced an 11”X17”, full color “Invasive Plants – Not a Pretty Picture” poster which will be mailed to Weed Management Areas. In addition, a packet of ideas to increase outreach and educational efforts will be included with the posters.

Materials for Downloading

"Invasive Plants - Not a Pretty Picture!" - 11" x 17" poster (pdf). Contact info@cal-ipc.org, for a full-size, full-color copy.

Strategies for California Invasive Weeds Awareness Week (Word file) - The "How-To" guide for Invasive Weeds Week. Detailed instructions on writing press releases, contacting local media, requesting a resolution by your county board of supervisors, and organizing invasive plant tours.

For more information, contact:

Wendy West, wkwest@ucdavis.edu, California Invasive Plant Council – Outreach Committee and California Invasive Weeds Awareness Coalition (CALIWAC)