By Megan Dettenmaier | May 15, 2019

Dealing with the Triple Threat Invasion - Cheatgrass, Medusahead, & Ventenata

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 | 1 pm - 4:45 pm (MDT): Co-sponsored by the Southern Rockies Fire Science Network, Bayer Environmental Science

Continuing Education Credits (Note: Society of American Foresters, OR Society of Ecological Restoration, OR Society for Range Management OR you may receive a letter of certification for this webinar)

Cheatgrass

Invasive annual grasses such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), and ventenata (Ventenata dubia) are devastating western natural areas and rangeland at a landscape scale. These grass invasions favor further invasions while eliminating desirable vegetation and wildlife habitat. Further impacts include:

  • A continuous bed of fine fuel associated with an increase in frequency and intensity of rangeland wildfire
  • Significant reduction or elimination of desirable perennial species
  • Reduced forage quality for wildlife and livestock
  • Increased risks for wildlife and pollinator species
  • Resulting wildfires that are a threat to humans, wildlife, property and infrastructure.

Speakers will address all of these points, including current management tools for the “triple threat”, highlighting recent research conducted in multiple western states.

  • 1:00 - 1:15 pm - Introduction
  • 1:15 - 1:45 pm: Surprise speaker
  • 1:45 - 2:15 pm: Overview of the invasive annual grass problem in the Great Basin, Tom Monaco, USDA-ARS Forest & Range Research Lab, Utah State University
  • 2:15 - 2:45 pm: Biology, impacts and management of Ventenata dubia, Tim Prather, University of Idaho
  • 2:45 - 3:00 pm: Break
  • 3:00 - 3:30 pm: Working toward management solutions for invasive bromes, medusahead, and ventenata, Corey Ransom, Utah State University
  • 3:30 - 4:00 pm: Environmental benefits of restoring natural areas and rangeland, Shannon Clark, Colorado State University
  • 4:00 - 4:30 pm: Controlling annual grasses from a ranching perspective, Justin Hossfeld, Former President of Sunlight Ranch, Montana
  • 4:30 - 4:45 pm: Wrap-up & Question/Answer