April 17, 2024 10:50 a.m. 

Douglas County Commissioners along with the Douglas County Public Works – Natural Resources Division and the county’s Noxious Weed Advisory Board have announced that there will be a free noxious weed workshop on Thursday May 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

It will be held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. The workshop will feature a field tour of tree-of-heaven.

The tour will be led by Douglas County Natural Resources Specialist, Tracy Pope, a trained botanist and certified arborist. She will be joined by Carri Pirosko, Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Noxious Weed Specialist for southwest Oregon.

Attendees will learn about tree-of-heaven, also known as Ailanthis altissima, a recognized noxious weed in Douglas County. This rapidly expanding invasive species is emerging as a common nuisance in urban areas, on riverbanks and along roadways throughout southwest Oregon. Participants will hear about the history of this invasive tree, why it is a problem, and what treatment options are available.

The workshop is an outdoor “rain or shine” walking tour. Light refreshments will be provided, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch. To ensure a quality experience for participants, the tour group size is limited. Attendees should reserve their space before May 1st.

For more information and to register, go to: https://douglascountyor.gov/362/Natural-Resources or call Tracey Pope at 440-4255.