Ambassador Program

Become a noxious weed steward!

What is the Noxious Weed Ambassador Program?

Houndstongue Burrs Stuck On Gloves

The Noxious Weed Ambassador Program began in conjunction with the Garlic Mustard Games when Summit County residents just like you rolled up their sleeves and pulled thousands of pounds of garlic mustard by using the Garlic Mustard Games stations placed along trails throughout Summit County. Trail users simply grab a bag, pull weeds and leave the bags for pick up along the trail. The Summit CWMA then realized that residents all over Summit County were doing similar work on their favorite trails combating other noxious weeds. How exciting to bump into a hiker with a pair of clippers and a bag who is destroying a Musk Thistle population by cutting the seed heads off! It is almost as cool as seeing a trail user pulling Houndstongue plants before the burrs have a chance to transport themselves across the trails!

Look for the Noxious Weed Ambassador Program boxes placed at trailheads across Summit County. Supplies will be provided to help fight against the noxious weeds in that area.

What’s the big deal with noxious weeds? They may look harmless, but noxious weeds have huge impacts on local landscapes. Noxious species are prone to outcompete native vegetation and adversely affect pollinators, wildlife, and overall ecosystem health. Additionally, many noxious species—both directly and indirectly—increase wildfire risk. GRAB A BAG AND FIGHT BACK!

How to get involved

1. PULL OR CUT WEEDS. Pull or cut weeds along the trail and within the open space. Bag up all plants and seedheads and tie the bag shut.

2. LEAVE BAG. Leave your bag next to the sign (OFF TRAIL, PLEASE).

3. RECORD IT. Click Here here to log your efforts and WIN PRIZES.

4. REPEAT! Each noxious weed species can grow at a different time meaning there are control needs all season long. Learn more below!

There will be drawings for prizes every two weeks!

Look For These Common Weeds

Garlic Mustard

Alliaria petiolata

Garlic mustard prefers wet and/or shady areas. Keep an eye out along streams! Hand pull and bag it from mid-May to early August. Once garlic mustard is dry and crispy on top, do not pull.

Houndstongue

Cynoglossum officinale

Houndstongue can be found just about anywhere, from pastures to forests. Hand pull and bag from June through November. Alternatively, clip the flowers and seedheads off and bag them. Cut the stalk down at the base.

Dalmatian Toadflax

Linaria dalmatica

Dalmatian toadflax favors disturbed sites and is typically found on roadsides, grasslands and in fields. Dalmatian toadflax is very aggressive, competes with native vegetation for soil nutrients and water, and will dominate a site. if given the chance. Hand pull and bag the full plant from late June to mid-September.

Musk Thistle

Carduus nutans

Musk Thistle prefers chalky soils and can be found all over Summit County. Cut the flowers and seedheads off of these giants and bag them from June through October. If possible, cut the plant down as close to the ground as possible. Wear good gloves—thick leather or insulated gloves work well—and take care to not grab the spikes!

Dyer's Woad

Isatis tinctoria

Dyer’s woad often grows on dry, coarse-textured, rocky soils. Hand pull and bag it from mid-May to early August. Alternatively, clip the flowers and seedheads off and bag them. Then, cut the stalk down at the base.

Common Burdock

Arctium minus

Common burdock can be found just about anywhere and is a Summit County noxious weed. Cut the buds, flowers and seedheads off and bag them June through November. If possible, chop the rest of the plant down.

Canada Thistle

Cirsium arvense

Canada thistle typically grows in open areas, including pastures, along riverbanks and roadsides. Snip the Canada thistle plant at the base from July through November. Or hand pull and bag the full plant. If seeds are present, clip them off and bag them first.

Scotch Thistle

Onopordum acanthium

Scotch Thistle prefers chalky soils and can be found all over Summit County. Cut the flowers and seedheads off of these giants and bag them from June through October. If possible, cut the plant down as close to the ground as possible. Wear good gloves—thick leather or insulated gloves work well—and take care to not grab the spikes!