Weed management implementation in Colorado: Connecting theory and practice

Weed species are becoming a substantial issue in natural ecosystems, causing ecological and economic damage. Scientific literature recommends best management practices to deal efficiently and cost effectively with weed species. Recommendations include: preventing introduction of new weeds, early detection and treatment of weed species that have already been introduced, focusing on small isolated patches of weeds before they become large problems, and monitoring the entire process in order to better adapt techniques in the future.;However, weed species continue to pose threats to our native ecosystems. If effective control techniques are readily available, yet weed threats are continuing to increase, it stands to reason that a disconnect between best management practices and implementation exists.;In this study weed managers were asked a variety of questions about their weed management practices. The responses indicate that weed managers do, for the most part, follow recommended best management practices. However, there are many hurdles that weed managers face that prevent them from applying the best management practices to their full extent. These hurdles include lack of funding and manpower; lack of appropriate information pathways; lack applicable and site-specific information and control techniques; lack of managerial and public support; lack of public education and awareness about weed issues; and physical obstacles that prevent control or timely applications of control.;The interviews also provided many interesting recommendations from respondents that included suggestions on how to better focus public education; a call for control effectiveness information; a call for information and control techniques specific for natural areas, and suggestions on better land-monitoring and information-gathering techniques.;The Colorado weed management community is a small community that relies heavily on its members for support, encouragement, and information. These lines of communication and coordination, that are essential to weed managers, need to stay open and accessible.