Nonnative invasive plants have been described as a ‘biological wildfire’ that is out of control and spreading rapidly. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management has an Invasive Plant Program that includes a grant opportunity and web map for invasive plant treatment prioritization; Thursday morning at 11 a.m. a presentation will focus on challenges and opportunities for managing invasive plants in Arizona. Free weekly online forums hosted by University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Gila County don’t require pre-registration. Guests are welcome to log in up to 10 minutes before it begins at arizona.zoom.us/j/86511927971. An easy, convenient way to connect is via ‘click here’ direct hotlinks at extension.arizona.edu/gila, where you can also view dozens of prior Thursday webinar topics ranging from soil preparation to winter gardening, container gardening and more. University of Arizona Gila County Cooperative Extension Agent Chris Jones hosts this popular series, and Cooperative Extension’s website has an array of links to programs, talks and resources. Links are also conveniently posted each week on Facebook, where you can join Chris Jones and a network of Gila County gardeners at facebook.com/gilaextension. Want to be added to an email invite list for these gardening and horticulture workshops? Call Chris Jones, Extension Agent, University of Arizona Gila County Cooperative Extension at (928) 402-8586 or email ckjones@email.arizona.edu
Guest speaker will be Invasive Plant Program Coordinator Willie Sommers with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. With a Master’s degree in Range Management from the University of Arizona and an undergraduate degree in Environmental Resources from Arizona State University, he participates in several collaborative groups such as the Lower Gila River Collaborative, Lower San Pedro Collaborative and the Arizona Cross Watershed Network. He also serves on the board of directors for the Southwest Vegetation Management Association. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening, hiking, landscaping and volunteering.
