The WeedWise Program is dedicated to helping protect Clackamas County from the ongoing threat of invasive weeds. These projects are often based around the prevention or management or priority invasive weeds. We currently working on projects across the county, but focus largely on priority invasive weeds, priority sites, or on partnership projects.
Priority Weed Control Projects
Orange hawkweed control is an example of a priority weed control project underway at several locations in Clackamas County.
The priority weed control program focuses on the Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) of new or rare invasive weeds where the goal is either eradication or containment. These projects allow us to focus our resources for maximum impact. Priority weed control projects typically occur at the landscape level and impact multiple landowners either public or private. These project focus on the control and eradication of a priority weed species. Some examples of our current priority weed control projects include the active management of:
- Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
- False brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum)
- Spurge laurel (Daphne laureola)
- Oblong spurge (Euphorbia oblongata)
- Japanese, Giant, and Bohemian knotweed (Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis, and F. x bohemica)
- Goatsrue (Galega officinalis)
- Orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum)
- Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
- Policeman’s helmet (Impatiens glandulifera)
- Blessed Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)
- Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris)
- Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
The priority weed control projects are one of our highest priorities and target all known infestations across the county or within a given management area.
Priority Site Projects
The Bull Run Gate Project was initiated to protect the city of Portland’s municipal watershed from encroaching birds dispersed invasive weeds
Priority site projects are projects that are designed to protect areas of exceptional quality or of unique ecological, economic, or cultural importance. Some examples of projects that the WeedWise program is currently working on or have spearheaded in the past include:
- Barton Area Priority weeds project
- Bull Run Gate weed control project
- Coral Creek weed control project
- Molalla River confluence project
- Newell Creek restoration project
- Salmon River priority weed control project
- South Creek-Abernethy project
- Lolo Pass priority weed control project
The priority site project areas are typically local or regional significance and are designed to protect or buffer these areas from the encroachment or spread of invasive weeds. The goals of these projects is typically focused on exclusion and maintenance of natural areas within the project areas.
Partnership Projects
Knotweed control efforts undertaken in conjunction with the Clackamas River Invasive Species Partnership, focus area project.
Partnership project are those projects that are typically undertaken in conjunction with local and regional partners. These projects are often complex and have diverse interests. These projects involve working in cooperation with partner organizations to implement projects across broad geographic areas or across jurisdictional boundaries. Examples of partnership projects include:
- The Backyard Habitat Certification Program Clackamas County Expansion
- The Clackamas River Invasive Species Partnership Upper Clackamas Surveys
- The Clackamas River Invasive Species Partnership Focus Area weed control project
- The Portland Metro Garlic mustard working group
- The Mt Hood National Forest Working Group
- The Sandy Basin Vegetation Restoration Coalition priority weed control
Learn More
To learn more about our projects please check the project drop downs in the navigation menu above, or contact us about information pertaining to a particular project mentioned.
