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2012 Alaska Weed Smackdowns: Fun Community Events to Control Non-Native, Invasive Plants!

In conjunction with Alaska Invasive Weed Awareness Week in 2010, Alaska’s
first Weed Smackdown event was structured to help contain the spread of
non-native, invasive plants and educate/involve local residents in
Fairbanks. Since then, awareness of the problem and the number of events
have grown, with four Weed Smackdown events scheduled for 2012. Each offers
a fun, friendly competition among teams comprised of members from community
organizations, businesses, and unaffiliated individuals who all have one
thing in common: the desire to spare Alaska the economic and ecological
impacts of invasive species. Participants will not only enjoy fresh air,
exercise, fun, free food, and fabulous prizes, but will also help control
or eradicate these weed invaders.

The introduction and spread of invasive species can cause economic and
environmental harm, and harm to human health. Invasive plants spread
aggressively and out-compete natives for growing space. Some plants
(including European bird cherry, reed canarygrass, and white sweetclover)
can harm native wildlife, while others (such as Canada thistle and giant
hogweed) can harm people with thorns and cause painful rashes. Aquatic
invasive species, like Elodea (a genus of waterweed that can overtake lakes
and slow moving rivers and sloughs) have been shown to harm salmon and
their habitat. Unfortunately, some of the major cities in Alaska have
provided “base camps” for invasive species that are poised to spread across
the state and damage Alaska’s valuable natural resources. You can help
prevent the spread of invasives by attending one of the 2012 Weed Smackdown
Events!

2012 Alaska Weed Smackdown Events:

Anchorage: Saturday, June 16 from 10am-1pm @ Valley of the Moon Park
Contact (907) 441-7366 or visit info@weedwar.org; register at:
www.weedwar.org

Kenai Peninsula (Seward): Saturday, June 30 from 11am-1pm @ Seward Middle
School
Contact Cheryl Anderson: (907) 260-0129 / Cheryl_Anderson@fws.gov or Jen
Kain: sewardweeds@yahoo.com

Palmer: Saturday, July 7 from 11:30am-4:00pm @ Matanuska River Park
Contact Louisa Branchflower: (907) 745-1636 or pswcdtech@gmail.com

Fairbanks: Saturday, July 14 from 10am-1pm @ Tanana Lakes Recreation Area
Contact Darcy Etcheverry: (907) 479-1213 (x104) / FCWMA.tech@gmail.com;
register at: weedsmackdown.wordpress.com

Sponsors and partners include:
Alaska Association of Conservation Districts, Alaska Center for the
Environment, Alaska Citizens Against Noxious Weeds Invading the North
(Alaska CANWIN), Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Alaska Division of
Forestry, Alaska Division of Agriculture, Alaska Railroad, Alaska SeaLife
Center, Alaska Wildland Adventures, Anchorage Cooperative Weed Management
Area, Anchorage Park Foundation, Anchorage Waterways Council,
ConocoPhillips, Denali Outdoor Center, Fairbanks North Star Borough,
Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District, Friends of Alaska National
Wildlife Refuges, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, Kenai Soil and
Water Conservation District, Major Marine Tours, Municipality of Anchorage
Parks and Recreation Department, National Park Service, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District,
Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance, UAA Alaska Natural Heritage
Program, UAF Cooperative Extension Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and others.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to
conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats
for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and
trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific
excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated
professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on
our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with
our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at
www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at
http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at
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