News – Sheridan Media
The Weed and Pest District in Big Horn County Wyoming, located on the other side of the Big Horn Mountains from Sheridan, is starting a new weed program to fight invasive grass species in Wyoming, Montana, the Bighorn National Forest and on Crow Tribal Lands.
The target area that the district will be working in, is the Devils Canyon area, which is near the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, located northeast of Lovell and just north of the Wyoming-Montana border line.
Covering roughly 200,000 acres, this project primarily targets two invasive annual grass species: ventenata and medusa-head.
These grasses have been identified in Montana.
Spotted knapweed, whitetop, and hounds-tongue are other species of concern.
Ventenata and medusa-head spread quickly and can be challenging to control.
They reduce the growth of native plants and have no forage or habitat value for native wildlife or livestock.
If left untreated, these invasive weeds can completely change landscapes.
Over the next few years, Big Horn County will use drones, utility terrain vehicle (UTV) sprayers, and backpack sprayers to manage the weeds each summer and fall.
The area they will work on also includes lands owned by the BLM, the state and private owners.
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Last modified: June 22, 2023