My name is Hayden Jorde and I am a WeedWise Technician. I am originally from the southwest and I have spent much of my career working outdoors. To me, the most interesting facets of natural resource work are the interactions between human and natural systems. I have an ungraduated degree from the University of Arizona where I majored in both Anthropology and Communication as well as a Master of Forestry from Northern Arizona University. I have worked as a wildland firefighter, a Conservation Corps crew leader, a farm hand, and a Peace Corps volunteer. My experiences and education have taught me that the human dimension of resource management is one of the most important, even though it is often overlooked.
Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris)
Having grown up working on the family farm in Arizona, I am no stranger to invasive weeds. One weed known as Puncturevine is a particularly hated weed for me personally and many others. Anyone who has seen Puncturevine will never forget it. Puncturevine has thorny seeds, that pop bike tires, penetrate the soles of flip-flops, and prick the paws of beloved household pets. It is a weed that looks as gnarly as its name implies. Fortunately, Puncturevine is relatively uncommon in Clackamas County. In its maliciousness, Puncturevine is some ways a great uniter, bringing communities together to help pull it out of busy bike routes and trails, and even inspiring festivals. When it appears on the landscape people recognize the need to control it and act quickly. Sadly, Puncturevine is the exception and not the rule when it comes to noxious weeds.
Many weeds that are designated as noxious because they are harmful to people, animals, or the environment also have beautiful fruits and flowers, which can lead to people planting them in gardens and landscapes. A classic story in invasive plant management goes as follows: “I planted a flower in my garden a year or two ago and now it is covering my entire yard”. Many weeds that become invasive were historically controlled by predators that coevolved with them and kept their numbers in check. Other weeds were once restricted by weather conditions in their native environment, but are no longer restricted in their new environment. Without those limiting growth factors, their numbers can explode exponentially.
Once noxious weeds become widespread, their management becomes a Sisyphean task. At that point, removing them from the landscape may be nearly impossible. That is why in the WeedWise Program we employ a management method called Early Detection and Rapid Response or EDRR. Detecting noxious weeds early in the invasion curve is vital when it comes to successful invasive species management. Community scientists, nonprofits, and governmental agencies all help identify where on the landscape noxious weeds are present and abundant. Once the scope and scale of the problem have been identified, rapid response can begin.
WeedWise Technician, Hayden Jorde
As a technician working for the WeedWise program, rapid response is where I focus most of my work efforts. At the beginning of my season working as a technician I studied the local rules and regulations of noxious weed management, to take the certification exam that would allow me to use herbicides safely and effectively. The exam is no joke, and many people have to take the test more than once to get certified. After some serious study sessions, I passed the exam on my first attempt. Once I had my certification, I was able to pitch in and help our experienced WeedWise Specialists in the field.
Although I have a Master of Forestry degree from Northern Arizona University and years of invasive species management in the southwest, many of the plants of the northwest were new to me when I started in this position. The specialists kindly taught me how to I.D. both noxious weeds and many of the native plant species of the Pacific Northwest in the field.
Surveying large wood placements for noxious weeds
I learned many of the strategies we employ such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, and was able to go on site visits to treat noxious weeds. With the permission of the landowners, I visited properties with known or suspected noxious weed infestations. On a typical visit, another member of the WeedWise Team and I would scout the area and treat the problem either by hand, with tools, chemically, or through a combination of techniques. Often this means climbing down steep slopes covered in blackberry, navigating stinging nettle patches, and wading across streams and rivers. This can be challenging work at times, but well worth the effort!
In my work as a technician, I have gotten to work with kind and conscientious people across Clackamas County to remove noxious weeds from the landscape. Many people in Clackamas County understand that the ecological health of the environment is tied to human health, especially when it comes to protecting and restoring
Throughout my season as a WeedWise Technician, I have learned more than I could have imagined about the Latin names of native plants, Pacific Northwest ecosystems, and management techniques. Managing invasive species is a continual effort, and many treatments take several years of follow-up in order to eradicate or contain the invasive weeds we manage.
As a seasonal employee, a field season will run from April to October. As I write this, I am approaching the end of my season. I am grateful to all the wonderful people I have worked with here at the district and the members of the community. I have gotten to see the countryside of Clackamas County change through the seasons and have helped to improve the landscape at the same time. It has been a real joy. Although my season is coming to an end, I am excited about the prospect of coming back next year and continuing the fight against noxious weeds in Clackamas County. Watch out Puncturevine! I am still looking to avenge all of those popped bike tires from my youth!
The WeedWise Program wants to thank Hayden for his tireless efforts this season in service to the residents of Clackamas County. Hayden has been a great asset to our team, and we are saddened to say goodbye at season end, but hope that he will be able to return next field season! Thanks Hayden!