BLM-Volunteer Feature of the Month

Hauling 400 pounds of debris or pulling weeds on a busy roadside in the summer sun are not activities most people would choose to do. But that is exactly what a group of 76 dedicated senior volunteers in Montana are doing in their "free time."

Cascade County Weed Whackers and friends at the annual Weed Rodeo in Sun River Canyon. Community groups from several counties converge each summer for a day of fun and friendly weed pulling competition. The Cascade County Weed Whackers have won "most weeds pulled by a group" for the past two years, a testament to their dedication and grit.

Calling themselves the "Cascade County Weed Whackers," their mission is to improve the health of the land by educating the community about problems caused by invasive plants (weeds) along the Upper Missouri Wild and Scenic River and in areas around Great Falls, Cascade County and beyond.

Like many communities in the West, Cascade County has been invaded by a number of invasive plant species such as spotted knapweed, leafy spurge and purple loosestrife. These weeds are not the lawn variety; they are fast spreading invasive nonnative plants that quickly take over large areas of rangeland, farmlands, roadsides and parks. They form dense stands, crowding out native plants and causing ecological as well as economic damage. Once established, these weeds are difficult to eliminate. For some species, such as spotted knapweed, hand pulling can be the most effective method, but it is very labor intensive. A preventive approach through education is essential, to teach people how to prevent spreading weed seeds to new areas. Yet many weed managers do not have the resources to provide these services.

Enter the Cascade County Weed Whackers. Ranging in age from 56 to 89, these volunteers have faced the challenge head on, devoting seemingly endless energy to the problem. Consequently, they have racked up some impressive accomplishments. For example, last summer alone, they hand-pulled close to 400 pounds of spotted knapweed.

But weed pulling is a small part of what they do. Recognizing that education is key to this problem, the Weed Whackers also have developed and implemented a massive public awareness campaign. They have distributed more than 38,000 pamphlets, posted "Weed Wanted" Posters in strategic locations, and put weed education placemats in restaurants of several counties. Not being a shy bunch, they also have participated in 19 community events where they have spoken to an estimated 10,000 people, including school children.

One member of the group, Ms. Lucille Mason, takes her oxygen with her, but says, "I decided I wasn't going to let that slow me down." She joined the Weed Whackers to get in on the action after she had heard about their work in the community. Lucille (right) and Bernice Hanley pull massive amounts of spotted knapweed along a road in Great Falls, Montana.

Kitty Knaphus of the Cascade County Weed District says the Weed Whackers have been a tremendous help. "Education is important and they have done a lot in this area. They really enjoy getting the word out," she says, explaining that many community events occur in the summer, the busiest season for weed managers.

Last summer, the volunteers showed up at the State Fair with a leafy spurge hawk moth, in its striking yellow and black caterpillar stage. This was "really a big hit with the kids," Knaphus said. Hawk moth larvae are used as a biological control agent because they eat leafy spurge leaves and flowers. But in this case, the caterpillar was used to lure kids to the exhibit booth. They came in droves to examine the fascinating creature and they left knowing a little bit more about weeds.

Barb McFarlane pulls spotted knapweed growing under these trees along the Missouri River.

Audrey Finlayson of the Cascade RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) started Weed Whackers two years ago, and sums it up this way: "I can't believe how when I come to work – and sometimes the day isn't going so well– a volunteer comes in and hearing what they have accomplished just blows me away. I am so amazed at what they can do!"

The Bureau of Land Management provided start up funds and supports the group's efforts with educational materials. Other partners include the Cascade County Weed District and the Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement. But the real credit goes to 76 senior volunteers who decided to get out into their community to make a difference on the land.

RSVP is a network of national service programs that provide Americans age 55 and older the opportunity to apply their life experience to meeting community needs. For more information, check out their website at: http://www.seniorcorps.org/joining/rsvp/
For information about Cascade County RSVP, contact Audrey Finlayson at 406-454-6994.

This caterpillar of the leafy spurge hawk moth drew kids to the exhibit at the State Fair.
Photo of Mature H. euphorbiae larva by R.Richard.

For more information about the BLM's Volunteer Program, go to www.blm.gov/volunteer

To learn more about the leafy spurge hawk moth, go to: http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/weedfeeders/hyles.html

–by Elizabeth Rieben, BLM Environmental Education and Volunteers Group, Washington, DC

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