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 continuing our 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 WeedWise Specialist, Justin Cooley
Q1. What is your favorite thing about working at the WeedWise program?
A1. Protecting our environment from the spread of noxious weeds and making a better world for my kids.
Q2. If you had to choose a different career what would it be?
A2. 
Foresty
Q3. What is your favorite place in Clackamas County?
A3. The Molalla River Recreation Corridor
Q4. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
A4. Spain and Portugal
Q5. What invasive weed do you think has the greatest impact on Clackamas County?
A5. The invasive knotweeds
Q6. What book has influenced you most?
A6. Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States
Q7. What has been your greatest challenge working for the WeedWise program?
A7. Not always having the resources that we would like to do as much as is needed to protect Clackamas County
Q8. Pancakes, waffles, or French toast?
A8. French Toast
Q9. What is your favorite time of year and why?
A9. Fall, for the cool weather and the end of fire season.
Q10. Who is your hero?
A10. Rachel Carson
Q11. What is your favorite native plant and why?
A11. Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana) for the beautiful form and awesome shade!
Q12. If you could have any special power, what would it be?
A12. Telepathy
Q13. Why should folks care about invasive weeds?
A13. They behave as ecological cancer on the landscape.
Q14. What activities or hobbies do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Q14. Lacrosse
Q15. What WeedWise activity or project are you most excited about in the coming year?
A15. Weed management in the Beachie Creek burn area.
Q16. If you were a piece of furniture, what would you be?
A16. Recliner
Q17. What invasive weed do you think is the most difficult to manage?
A17. Garlic mustard
Q18. Name one of the coolest places you’ve visited.
A18. Athens, Greece
Q19. Name one thing that most people don’t know about you.
A19. I like long walks on the beach at sunset.
Q20. What do you think is the most often overlooked aspect of responsible weed management?
A20. Rotating the herbicide mode of action to avoid developing herbicide resistance.
