Northwest Weed Management Partnership

Introduction
Programs
Q&A
Partnership Diagram
MOUs on file as of March 2, 2007

Introduction

NWMP logo

The Northwest Weed Management Partnership (NWMP) is an informal multi-agency network of individuals and organizations concerned with rural and urban invasive weed issues in northwestern Oregon and southwestern Washington. The NWMP has a Strategic Plan, Steering Committee and Partnership Coordinator; whenever possible, NWMP acts in support and coordination with the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Noxious Weed Control Program and Weed Control Districts where they exist. The NWMP plays a central role in the ongoing development of the Western Invasives Network program/website.

Partners represent a wide variety of organizations, including: soil and water conservation districts; watershed councils; state and local parks and recreation departments; OSU Extension; Oregon Department of Transportation and county public works departments; state and federal natural resource management agencies; timber companies; and, city and county governments. Recruitment is ongoing.

There are six Cooperative Weed management Areas (CWMAs) within NWMP, and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) forms are used to demonstrate commitment to each CWMA. As of October, 2006 there were 112 signed MOUs on file.

Programs

Cooperative Weed Management Areas

Six Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMAs) have been created:

  • Mid-Coast (Western Lane, Lincoln)
  • Upper Willamette (Eastern Lane, Linn, Benton)
  • Mid-Willamette (Marion, Yamhill, Polk)
  • North Coast (Tillamook, Clatsop, Columbia in Oregon; Pacific in Washington)
  • Four County (Clackamas, Clark (WA), Multnomah, Washington)
  • Columbia Gorge (Multnomah, Hood River, Wasco)

To foster collaborative efforts, each CWMA has Management and Operating Plans that are updated annually. The multi-agency plans include, but are not limited to:

  • Weed control and inventory projects, with emphasis on new invaders
  • Outreach and education on priority species to slow further spread and gain support for control efforts

Partnership Information Exchange (PIE)

Designed to provide a forum for updates, joint problem solving, and information sharing between all members of CWMAs. Meetings are typically held three times a year and usually include featured speakers who have addressed such topics as bio-control, habitat restoration, weed identification, inventory/mapping, and related training.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is comprised of five individuals selected by the members of the partners belonging to NWMP. They are charged with bringing leadership to the organization regarding implementation of its long-term Strategic Plan. They also guide and support the Partnership Coordinator. Currently, the Steering Committee is represented by Cascade Pacific RC&D (which also acts as the fiscal agent for the Partnership), Soil and Water Conservation Districts, The Nature Conservancy, Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service.

Partnership Coordinator

Responsible for coordinating the activities of the NWMP, including, but not limited to: public relations efforts, planning and setting up training workshops and field trips, recruitment of partners, grant research and writing, building the capacity of CWMAs, hosting Partnership Information Exchange and Steering Committee meetings, fiscal planning and management, sharing information through the Willamette Weed list-serve, developing and updating a Partnership Directory, grant and project management, participation in working groups, helping Partners plan and implement education and outreach activities, create and submit reports for funding agencies, provide presentations at conferences and workshops.

Working Groups

Working groups were created by individuals who were interested in learning and sharing information regarding particular species. At present, there are three Working Groups:

False-brome Working Group

  • Shares technical information on control methodologies
  • Partners coordinate false-brome inventory and prevention activities
  • Partners seeking additional funding for inventory and control

Knotweed Working Group

  • Meetings and field trips include inventory, mapping and control information
  • Wide variety of support from NW Oregon and Washington State

Garlic Mustard Working Group

  • Shares technical information on control methodologies
  • Partners coordinate false-brome education prevention activities
  • Partners seeking additional funding for inventory and control
  • Partners support biocontrol research efforts