Two educational opportunities available in one event
(SPARKS, Nev.) – Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is hosting its inaugural Medusahead Symposium in conjunction with the 2015 Nevada Weed Management Association (NWMA) annual conference, Oct. 26 – 29, at the Nugget Hotel & Casino in Sparks, Nevada.
At the Medusahead Symposium, participants will learn about this new, invasive grass species taking over Nevada rangelands. Medusahead is listed as a Nevada noxious weed, which means it is a non-native, invasive species that all landowners are responsible to control, per state statute. Medusahead is undesirable to grazing animals like cattle and horses and creates a wildfire hazard.
Day one of the Symposium will consist of presentations concerning the plant’s environmental and economic impacts, in addition to biological and herbicidal control of the weed. Day two will include a tour of Medusahead infestations.
The NWMA Conference will take place Oct. 28 – 29. The theme for this event is “Catalyst for Change: Opening the Conversation for Changing Nevada’s Noxious Weed Program,” and a variety of topics will be presented, including:
- Politics of noxious weeds
- Mapping of noxious weeds, including drones and aerial mapping
- Pollinators and bee colony health
- Nevada Noxious weed laws and regulations
- Restoration projects
The entire event is a great educational opportunity and will allow participants to earn continuing education units (CEUs) and make important connections in the industry. In light of recent pesticide licensing regulation changes, the event will be particularly useful to anyone involved in public maintenance of roads, landscaping or vegetation management.
The Medusa Symposium and tour are free, thanks to grant funding provided by the United States Forest Service State and Private Forestry Region IV through the NDA, and the NWMA Conference is $130.
Pre-register for both events online at www.nvwma.org before the Wednesday, Oct. 14 deadline.
The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) promotes a business climate that is fair, economically viable and encourages a sustainable environment that serves to protect food, fiber and human health and safety through effective service and education. NDA includes the divisions of Administration, Animal Industry, Consumer Equitability, Food and Nutrition and Plant Industry.
The mission of the Nevada Weed Management Association is to facilitate the establishment of statewide vegetative aquatic and terrestrial invasive species control through education and legislation. As such, we host and support educational events, trainings, publications and other activities to further the knowledge and expertise of NWMA and the public.