Weed and Pest Announces New Management Program

JUNE 9, 2025 |

Photo – WYLD Watch logo – Courtesy Wyoming Weed and Pest Department

The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council announces a new invasive plant management program called WYLD Watch.

The state of Wyoming has designated 31 different plants as noxious weeds, including musk thistle, which is found here in Carbon County. The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council has created the Early Detection and Rapid Response initiative to prevent these invasive plants from overtaking the state’s native species.

Now, the state agency is asking for the public’s help to battle invasive weeds in a new program called WYLD Watch. Fremont County Weed and Pest Program Manager Olivia Maxwell is spearheading the WYLD Watch project.

Speaking to Bigfoot99, Maxwell explained the program encourages people to report noticeable changes in the landscape caused by invasive plant life. The goal is to eliminate the noxious weeds before they overwhelm the local ecosystem.

Maxwell said through the WLYD Watch program, the Wyoming Weed and Pest Council is attempting to retain the natural beauty of the Cowboy State. By reporting potentially invasive plants, the public is helping prevent the spread of harmful weeds.

When a potential invasive plant is reported through the WYLD Watch program, the Early Detection and Rapid Response team goes into action. Using a variety of eradication methods, Maxwell and her team attempt to kill the weed before it jeopardizes the surrounding vegetation.

Biological control of invasive plants involves releasing specialized insects into the environment that feed exclusively on the target plant. For the past 40 years, Carbon County Weed and Pest has used two specific species of weevil to combat musk thistle around Encampment.

Fremont County Weed and Pest Program Manager Maxwell explained extensive research is conducted on the insects before they are introduced into the ecosystem to ensure they do not cause unintended harm to native plants.

Maxwell urged the public to support the state’s 23 separate Weed and Pest districts in their fight against invasive species. Through the WYLD Watch program, residents can report suspected noxious weeds to their regional Weed and Pest office.

A fast response is key to preventing invasive species from becoming established and widespread.

For more information about the WYLD Watch program, visit the Wyoming Weed and Pest Council website at wyoweed.org/wyld-watch. The site also provides links to all 23 county Weed and Pest district offices.