LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Each year, the third week of July is designated as California’s “Invasive Weed Awareness Week.”

On Tuesday, July 10, the Board of Supervisors proclaimed July 16-22 “Invasive Weeds Awareness Week in Lake County.”  

The primary mission during this week is to raise public awareness about the impacts that invasive weed species have on our local environment and natural resources.  

A display was set up at the Agricultural Center showcasing numerous invasive weeds and a weed tour was hosted by the Lake County Weed Management Area (WMA).  

The WMA is a group of agencies and individuals dedicated to detecting and eradicating invasive weed species in Lake County.

This year marked the WMA’s ninth annual weed tour.

This was a five-hour event where the public was invited to caravan to various locations to see first-hand what these invasive species look like and to learn about their impacts on the environment.  

This year’s weed tour was held for the first time in the southern part of the county and highlighted Perennial Pepperweed, Himalayan Blackberry, Medusahead, Arundo, Spanish broom, Tree of Heaven, Barb Goatgrass and an aquatic weed discussion that included samples.

The event was made possible by the following WMA members: Greg Dills (East Lake and West Lake Resource Conservation District), Paul Aigner (UCD McLaughlin Reserve), Carolyn Ruttan (Lake County Department of Water Resources), and Katherine Blyleven (Lake County Department of Agriculture).  

A special thank you to Jim Dempsey (California Department of Parks), John Harper (U.C. Cooperative Extension), Henry Bornstein, and Gae Henry (Anderson Marsh Interpretative Association).

The WMA members would like to thank all those who participated in making this year’s tour a success.