Two Moon Park

08/21/2026

Want to help protect you local natural resources? Now is your chance! The Yellowstone County W**d Control is looking for a Foreperson. Click on the link to apply.

The W**d Foreperson oversees, coordinates, and trains the seasonal w**d crew engaged in the control of noxious w**ds by applying herbicides according to specifications along county roads, and county parks; responsible for the development and implementation of educational programs; performs other rel...

06/16/2026

Pollinator Fair at Pioneer Park!

Join us for an immersive and hands-on event, celebrating the importance of pollinators! Saturday June 20th from 11-3 at Pioneer Park

There will be activities, games, and a love for all things nature! 🌻🐛🐜🪲🐞🦗🌻

06/13/2026

W**d of the Day - Bluew**d
Reporting noxious w**ds is one of the simplest and most effective ways Montanans can help protect the state’s lands. Early detection allows land managers to respond while infestations are still small, easier to control, and far less expensive to treat. When new w**ds are found and reported quickly, it prevents them from spreading into rangelands, recreation areas, and private property. Reporting also helps agencies track where w**ds are moving, prioritize treatment, and coordinate efforts across counties and landowners. A single report can prevent years of future spread.
Reporting is especially important because many noxious w**ds can go unnoticed until they are well established. Hikers, landowners, recreationists, and equipment operators are often the first to spot new plants. By sharing what they see whether to local w**d districts, MSU Extension, or apps like iNaturalist or EDDmapS, Montanans can help stop invasive species before they become widespread problems.
Bluew**d (also called viper’s bugloss) is a perfect example of why reporting matters. This striking plant with bright blue flowers may look harmless, but it spreads aggressively along roadsides, pastures, and disturbed soils. Bluew**d is a prolific seed producer, and its seeds can easily hitchhike on vehicles, boots, pets, and equipment. Once established, it forms dense patches that crowd out native plants and reduce forage for wildlife and livestock. Because early infestations are much easier to manage than large, mature stands, reporting bluew**d as soon as it’s found helps land managers respond quickly and prevent it from gaining a foothold in Montana.

06/12/2026

W**d of the Day - Leafy Spurge
Chemical control is an important tool for managing noxious w**ds, especially species with deep or extensive root systems that don’t respond well to pulling or mowing. Herbicides can move into the root system, helping prevent regrowth and reducing long-term spread. Timing matters. Treating w**ds when they are actively growing improves effectiveness, and avoiding applications when plants are flowering helps reduce the risk of spreading seed. Always follow the product label, use proper protective equipment, and clean sprayers and tools afterward to avoid transferring w**d seeds or plant fragments to new areas.
Chemical control works best when paired with good stewardship practices. Treating w**ds before they produce seed reduces future infestations, and treating small patches early prevents them from becoming large, costly problems. After treatment, monitoring the site and encouraging desirable vegetation helps fill gaps and reduce the chance of reinvasion. As with all w**d management, covering disturbed soil with native seed or mulch helps prevent new w**ds from taking hold.
Leafy spurge is one of Montana’s most challenging noxious w**ds, known for its deep, extensive root system and milky latex sap. It spreads both by seed and by aggressive underground shoots, allowing it to form dense monocultures that displace native grasses and reduce forage for livestock and wildlife. Because leafy spurge can regenerate from tiny root fragments, mechanical control alone is rarely effective. Chemical control, often combined with biological agents and grazing, is a key part of long-term management.
Early detection and rapid response are essential. Leafy spurge is a prolific seed producer, and its seeds can remain viable in the soil for years. Treating infestations before seed set, cleaning equipment between sites, and restoring treated areas with native, competitive vegetation all help slow its spread. By taking action early and practicing careful stewardship, Montanans can make a difference.

06/11/2026

W**d of the Day - Whitetop
Biological control is an important long-term tool for managing noxious w**ds in Montana. By introducing natural enemies (insects, pathogens, etc.) that only attack the specific invasive plants, biocontrol helps reduce w**d vigor and spread in areas where herbicides or mechanical treatments aren’t practical. Montana has seen success with agents targeting leafy spurge, spotted knapw**d, and Dalmatian and yellow toadflax, making biocontrol a valuable part of integrated w**d management.

The Montana Biological W**d Control Coordination Project supports this work by helping land managers identify suitable biocontrol agents, distributing insects, and providing training and monitoring assistance. The project also participates in releasing and monitoring newly approved biocontrol agents like the one for whitetop (hoary cress), a Montana listed noxious w**d to gain information regarding the impact of newly approved agents and build up new biocontrol agent populations to make them more readily available for distribution. By helping managers understand where biocontrol is available and where other strategies are still needed, the project strengthens responsible, effective w**d management across the state. Please enjoy and share the resources they have provided below to learn more.

06/10/2026

W**d of the Day - Spotted Knapw**d
Mechanical control is a straightforward way to manage noxious w**ds by physically removing or cutting plants. Pulling, digging, or mowing works especially well on taproot species when done before flowering and seed development, which greatly reduces the chance of spreading them. If a plant is already flowering, always bag and trash it so seeds can’t escape. If it hasn’t flowered yet, it’s safe to leave it on site. Cleaning tools, boots, and equipment between sites further reduces the risk of accidentally moving w**ds from one area to another. After removal, cover disturbed soil with non-invasive native seed. Bare ground is an open invitation for new w**ds to take hold.

Spotted knapw**d is one of Montana’s most recognizable noxious w**ds, easily identified by its purple, thistle-like flowers and deep taproot. It is a prolific seed producer, with a single plant capable of releasing thousands of seeds that can remain viable in the soil for years. This makes early detection and mechanical removal especially important. The Pull Your Share effort encourages Montanans to spend five to ten minutes removing w**ds like spotted knapw**d before recreating, to help reduce seed spread and protect native plant communities. Every plant pulled before it flowers prevents countless seeds from entering the landscape, and when paired with reseeding or mulching, these small actions make a meaningful difference in keeping Montana’s rangelands healthy.

06/09/2026

W**d of the Day - Common Buckthorn
Cultural control is one of the most effective ways to create landscapes that naturally resist noxious w**ds. These practices focus on promoting healthy, competitive vegetation so w**ds have fewer opportunities to establish. Maintaining strong plant communities through proper grazing, reseeding disturbed areas, mulching, and planting native species helps fill ecological gaps that w**ds would otherwise exploit. When land is managed with soil health, plant diversity, and disturbance reduction in mind, w**ds have a much harder time gaining a foothold.

Cultural control also includes everyday stewardship choices that reduce the chance of spreading invasive plants. Using certified w**d-free hay and mulch, cleaning equipment between job sites, and choosing native or non-invasive ornamentals all help limit new introductions. Even small actions like checking bird seed for contaminants or avoiding the transport of soil and fill from unknown sources can prevent w**ds from moving into new areas. These proactive steps protect Montana’s working lands, recreation areas, and natural ecosystems.

Common buckthorn is a strong reminder of why cultural prevention matters. Originally brought to North America as an ornamental shrub, it escaped cultivation and now spreads aggressively in woodlands, riparian areas, and shelterbelts. Once it invades, buckthorn forms dense thickets, shades out native plants, and alters wildlife habitat. Disturbed soil gives it an even greater advantage. The first species to colonize an open patch is often a noxious w**d like buckthorn. That’s why the saying goes: “Cover it up!” Reseeding or mulching disturbed areas immediately helps prevent reinvasion. Choosing native plants instead of ornamental invasives is one of the simplest and most effective ways Montanans can stop buckthorn and other invaders before they start.

Don’t Plant Common Buckthorn
Introduced as an ornamental
Spreads rapidly by seed and root suckers
Forms dense, impenetrable thickets
Outcompetes native shrubs and understory plants
Very difficult and costly to control

Plant These Instead
Serviceberry (Amelanchier)- Native, wildlife-friendly, and great for hedges
Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)- Hardy, attractive, and supports pollinators
Woods rose (Rosa woodsii)- A tough native shrub that provides habitat and color
Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea)- Excellent for riparian areas and erosion control

When removing buckthorn, cover disturbed soil immediately. The first species to colonize bare ground is often a noxious w**d, oftentimes, buckthorn itself. Reseeding with native grasses or mulching right away helps prevent reinvasion and keeps Montana’s landscapes healthy.

06/08/2026

W**d of the Day - Rush Skeletonw**d
Prevention is the most effective and affordable way to manage noxious w**ds. The easiest w**d to deal with is the one you never have to face at all. Every Montanan plays a role in stopping the spread of invasive species by practicing good stewardship. Simple habits that make a big difference. Programs like PlayCleanGo, Clean. Drain. Dry., and buy it where you burn it, to help prevent w**ds, pests, and diseases from hitching a ride on vehicles, boats, firewood, or gear. Taking a few minutes to clean equipment between jobs or recreation sites can save years of costly control efforts later.

Prevention also means being mindful of what we plant and purchase. Using certified w**d-free products, checking bird seed for contaminants, and choosing native or noninvasive plants for landscaping all reduce the chance of introducing new w**ds. By taking these small, proactive steps, Montanans help protect rangelands, waterways, and wild space. Keeping Montana’s natural beauty and productivity strong for generations to come.

A new invader, rush skeletonw**d, highlights why prevention is so critical. This deep-rooted perennial spreads rapidly by windblown seeds and underground shoots, forming dense stands that outcompete native grasses and reduce forage for livestock. Once established, it’s extremely difficult to control. Its roots can reach over six feet deep, making herbicide and mechanical removal challenging. Preventing its spread through careful cleaning of equipment, monitoring new infestations, and avoiding contaminated materials is far easier than reclaiming land after it takes hold. Practicing prevention today protects Montana’s landscapes from tomorrow’s toughest w**ds.