I kill weeds, I must admit. I was talking to my daughter about writing a weed blog for UC Cooperative Extension and asked her what I should say I do (kindergarteners have the best ideas). She replied, bluntly, “you kill weeds, daddy.” She’s right of course, and admitting that I treat invasive plants in a nefarious manner is the first step to progress. I kill weeds, but there is so much more to weed management then just killing weeds.

I kill weeds in natural areas or wildlands. Although it’s the same principles and methods as working in agricultural weed control, there is no monetary profit when managing vegetation in wildlands (the management budget is also small but I digress). The “profit” I see is increased...