Weed smackdown a sucess
August 2, 2013
The weed pulling teams for the fourth annual Weed Smackdown on July 18 worked together
to successfully remove approximately 664 pounds of invasive weeds, that harm native
wildlife, plants and sometimes people. The turnout of weed pullers included members
of the general community as well as Facilities Services, employees and students. The weed-pulling event targeted the invasive bird vetch on
the Fairbanks campus ski trails but also aimed to increase awareness of other invasive
species around the state.
The Office of Sustainability would also like to thank supervisors that gave time for their employees to participate
and to the following event sponsors for their generous donations of prizes for the
weed pullers.: Pingo Farms, Calypso Farm and Risse Greenhouse.
This new tradition at UAF will hopefully be continued and prompt other UA campuses
to follow suit, just as other communities started their own weed smackdowns after
Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District started the Weed Smackdown program
four years ago.
If you’d like more information about bird vetch, including how to remove it from your
own property, please download the CES publications Control of Bird Vetch, and Don't Plant a Problem.