Oregon Dept. of Ag advises land managers to watch for weeds as
they plant seeds The planting of desirable grasses and other
vegetation is a key strategy in restoring watersheds for salmon
and other threatened or endangered species in Oregon. But it
will do no good if what is planted is infested with noxious weed
seeds. The Oregon Department of Agriculture is using education
as a means to ensure the right kind of seeds go into the ground
this spring. “We definitely believe in the importance of
watershed restoration projects on both agricultural and non-
agricultural lands,” says ODA Director Katy Coba. “We just need
to make sure efforts are not compromised by the introduction of
invasive weeds in those sensitive areas.” From the two-acre
landowner who plants from a 20-pound bag of seed to a federal
agency land manager responsible for thousands of acres that may
buy seed by the ton, using clean, weed-free seed is critical to
repairing the land and enhancing Oregon’s watersheds. “We
already have some major weeds