National Forest Foundation Grant

In partnership with Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Copper Mountain Resort and Vail Resorts Management Company, the National Forest Foundation awarded the Summit County Weed Control Department a grant from the Ski Conservation and Forest Stewardship Fund.

The goals for this project were:

• Restore and enhance wilderness, big game winter range and other wildlife habitat degraded by significant infestations of invasive plants
• Protect public and private property through strategic and sustainable use of integrated management principles
• Increase the capacity and effectiveness of both Summit County and White River National Forest noxious weed management efforts.

The Summit County Weed Control Department treated clear-cut areas selected by the U.S. Forest Service: approximately 325 acres near the Gold Hill Neighborhood in Breckenridge. On this site, clear cutting for wildfire mitigation in previous years resulted in increased noxious weed populations.

The Summit County Weed Control Department spent 125.5 staff hours treating noxious weeds throughout the area. Noxious weeds present within this area include: musk thistle, Canada thistle, bull thistle, plumeless thistle, oxeye daisy, yellow toadflax and scentless chamomile. After treatment and eradication work, recreational users of this land will see more native species establishing in the project area and reduced noxious weed infestations. The restoration efforts have enhanced big game winter and wildlife forage and habitat areas.

The Summit County Weed Control Department appreciates the opportunity to work on this project and would like to thank the National Forest Foundation, the Ski Conservation and Forest Stewardship Fund and USFS for this successful partnership.