The main objectives of this site are to increase public awareness, and provide the skills and information needed to participate in the prevention and detection of noxious weeds. The overall goal of increasing the public's awareness of noxious weeds was focused on by:
           • Target Junior and Senior High School Students.
           • Teach identification skills on 10 priority weed species.
           • Communicate the relevance of the problem to students.
           • Identify what they as students can do to help.
           • Provide additional information on control methods, weed impacts, and other
             resources or people they can contact.

          We designed the Weed Web around the educational understanding of Junior High school students for three reasons. First, we wanted this program to be incorporated into the basic biology and ecology classes the students would be taking at school. Second, an introduction to noxious weeds at this age will give them a basic knowledge that will stay with them as they become part of the voting public. Third, we decided to target this level of education because most of the public who view this site will understand biological and ecological interactions at this same basic level. A more in-depth description of weeds and their interactions would act as a stumbling block to the learning and interest of the viewers.

          We developed the subject matter of the site with prevention and detection in mind. A basic knowledge of the identifying characteristics and ecology of noxious weeds are an essential part of these two control areas. To ease this learning, 10 noxious weeds that are common in the West were chosen as examples. This knowledge alone would not motivate most people to act. The site also describes how these invasive plants affect them directly. Then, as the individual gains the knowledge and the motivation, the site outlines what they can do about it.