WeedWise Specialist, Jeff Lesh
Get to know the WeedWise program, through our people!
The success of the WeedWise program is in great part due to the hard work and dedication of our staff. If you have ever called the office or stopped by for assistance with your weed problems, you have undoubtedly worked with one of our hard-working employees. If you’ve ever wondered what our program is all about, we first recommend checking our ABOUT, our HISTORY and our STAFF pages to fill in many of the gaps. But we know you want more! So we are unveiling a new Staff Spotlight feature to give you the opportunity to get to know our staff better. So take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the people behind our program.
20 questions you’ve always wanted to ask.
Q1. What is your favorite thing about working at the WeedWise program?
A1. We keep the big picture in mind.
Q2. If you had to choose a different career what would it be?
A2. Journalist.
Q3. What is your favorite place in Clackamas County?
A3. Anywhere along the Clackamas River.
Q4. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it?
A4. I’d like to go to Madagascar!
Q5. What invasive weed do you think has the greatest impact on Clackamas County?
A5. Himalayan Blackberry, (Rubus bifrons).
Q6. What book has influenced you most?
A6. The Future of Ideas by Lawrence Lessig.
Q7. What has been your greatest challenge working for the WeedWise program?
A7. Too many cool projects.
Q8. Pancakes, waffles, or French toast?
A8. Sourdough hotcakes.
Q9. What is your favorite time of year and why?
A9. Spring for the wildflowers.
WeedWise Specialist, Jeff Lesh pulling goatsrue (Galega officinalis) near the Clackamas River
Q10. What is one place that has inspired you?
A10. Icy strait, Alaska
Q11. What is your favorite native plant and why?
A11. Oregon golden aster (Heterotheca oregona)! It’s beautiful, rare, and persists in the weedy banks of the lower Clackamas River.
Q12. If you could have any special power, what would it be?
A12. Omniscience
Q13. Why should folks care about invasive weeds?
A13. They often reduce the abundance of our beautiful native species.
Q14. What activities or hobbies do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
A14. Hiking, botanizing, gardening, hunting, fishing
Q15. What WeedWise activity or project are you most excited about in the coming year?
A15. Goatsrue (Galega officinalis) control on the lower Clackamas River.
Q16. If you were a piece of furniture, what would you be?
A16. A bookshelf or a butcher block
Q17. What invasive weed do you think is the most difficult to manage?
A17. Shiny geranium (Geranium lucidum) !
Q18. If you could live in a different era what would it be?
A18. Pleistocene
Q19. Name one thing that most people don’t know about you.
A19. I’m an identical twin!
Q20. What do you think is the most often overlooked aspect of responsible weed management?
A20. Prevent the weeds from establishing and/or spreading into new areas is a difficult and often overlooked task in weed management!