Folks travelled across the state and beyond to discuss and learn about management for medusahead and barb goatgrass.
On November 5th SFREC held a day-long forum on two of the most serious rangeland weeds confronting the California rangeland community. Over 110 people from a diverse background, experience and interests in these weeds attended this event. For many, it was the first time visiting SFREC and even the first time experiencing what the UC Research and Extension Center had to offer. Some attendees travelled more than 6 hours to get to the Center.
Ken Tate talks about these invasive grasses on the field tour.
The forum organized over 20 UC academics, graduate students and cooperators researching medusahead and barb goatgrass management across the state. Given the broad knowledge base and the complex nature of these invasions, SFREC used a “lightening presentation” approach. Each speaker was given 5 minutes to outline their core research findings. This format encouraged presenters and attendees to get to the nuts and bolts of the issues on hand and provide a large amount of time for discussion among attendees. Each presenter put together a one-page handout that summarized their main points. This handout can be accessed (here) and a webcast of the day's event will be uploaded (here). Please contact the SFREC Director Jeremy James if you want additional information about the day.