cheatgrass
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The Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies released a report declaring that invasive plants, especially cheatgrass, is an enormous threat to the sagebrush ecosystem and sage grouse. Ironically the report emphasized that invasive weeds are a threat to the livestock industry as well. The reason it is ironic is that across the West livestock…
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In a March 26th Times News article, Karen Launchbaugh, a University of Idaho range professor, propagandized misleading ideas about livestock grazing. Like nearly all range professor, Ms. Launchbaugh, sees her job as promoting livestock grazing. I know because I studied range management both as an undergraduate and in grad school, so familiar with the emphasis…
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Last week a Associated Press article proclaimed that the rehabilitation taking place after the Soda Fire, which burned 225,953 acres along highway 95 on the Oregon/Idaho border in August, was going well. Not so fast. According to a report from Roger Rosentreter, a retired PhD botanist who worked for the BLM for 38 years, things aren’t going so…
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In early June, Katie Fite and I visited southeast Nevada to examine the results of past vegetation treatments meant to “restore” sage grouse habitat in the Schell Field Office of the Ely District BLM. What we found was quite astonishing. Rather than restoring sage grouse habitat, the BLM targeted the best sage grouse habitat, near…
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Rare plant will receive protection across its entire range. WESTERN WATERSHEDS PROJECT NEWS RELEASE October 1, 2009 Contact: Todd Tucci, Advocates for the West (208) 342-7024 Jon Marvel, Western Watersheds Project (208) 788-2290 Katie Fite, Western Watersheds Project (208) 429-1679 SCIENCE FINALLY TRUMPS POLITICS IN PROTECTING RARE DESERT FLOWER Boise, Idaho – Conservation groups applauded…
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Yellow star thistle, knapweed to do likewise- On the plus side, it will get too hot for cheatgrass in some places, but it may be replaced by another invasive — red brome. Cheatgrass will migrate with climate change. LA Times.
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As summer advances, debate over the handling of forest fires, is one again on the front burner. Are the ways forest fires are being fought and prevent “firewise?” By Heath Druzin and Rocky Barker. Idaho Statesman. “We spend billions attacking almost every wildfire, but scientists say that’s bad for the forest, can put firefighters in…
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Otter, other governors declare war on cheatgrass. They want 500 volunteers to help collect native seeds, so threatened areas can be replanted. Idaho Statesman. By Rocky Barker. Controlling cheatgrass is absolutely critical. If they don’t have enough native seed, they need to encourage the production of native grass and forbs for seed as an agricultural…
