The three most problematic, noxious weeds on the Windstar land are Canada thistle, plume less thistle and hounds tongue, however, there are also less extreme infestations of Russian knapweed, common tansy, yellow toadflax, musk thistle, bull thistle and field bindweed. This summer the Windstar Land Conservancy began implementation of a holistic weed management plan that contains several control methods including release of biocontrol insects, grazing with goats, application of appropriate herbicides, cutting and pulling. We released three biocontrol insects to help control yellow toadflax, plume less thistle and Canada thistle. Another major initiative RMI took in its weed management plan was to bring in a herd of 500 Cashmere goats for nine days in July. Strategically grazing goats stresses weeds, reduces seed production and root growth and, over time, will reduce overall populations of invasive species.
Noxious weeds are highly aggressive, particularly in disturbed areas.
On bare ground, many noxious weeds readily out compete native species and create monocultures. A major portion of the Conservancy's weed management plan is to revegetate disturbed areas with native species in order to slow the spread of weeds. Large seeding projects were done in the areas where the ditches had been filled in order to eliminate bare ground as quickly as possible. These areas were seeded with a mix of native grasses and forbs. Many of the upland areas of the Windstar land are in need of restoration due to erosion and de-vegetation.