Earlier this year, House Bill 2478 was signed into law by the Governor. This bill directs the state Noxious Weed Control Board to conduct a pilot project to convert existing patches of blooming noxious weeds—that bees like—to plants which would still be good forage for bees.
These patches of land will be located in many areas of the state and will be overseen by county noxious weed control boards. Funding for plant starts and seeds, as well as technical help in eradicating the existing weeds, will be given to those chosen to participate in the pilot project. At the end of the project, the state noxious weed board will produce a guidelines and best practices report to inform landowners how to control noxious weeds and replace them with bee forage friendly plants.
You can participate in the project by giving your contact information and describing your property. You need not own the land to participate. Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CCHWT68 and fill out the questionnaire.
WASBA vigorously supported House Bill 2478, and we hope many beekeepers take advantage of the offer of help in creating more forage for bees and other pollinators.