Why is it important to identify and control noxious weeds? Unless people learn how to prevent them from spreading, they can damage our community, economy and environment.

Join Clallam County Noxious Weed Control Program Coordinator Christina St. John for the Green Thumb Education Series presentation “Identification and Control of Common Noxious Weeds,” Thursday, April 10, from 1-2 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 510 E. Park Avenue in Port Angeles and find out what you can do to beat back noxious weeds.

Can these weeds really be that bad? Yes! Noxious weeds are non-native, highly destructive, competitive or difficult to control by cultural or chemical practices. When they invade agricultural fields, they reduce crop yields and increase the cost of food. If noxious weeds overrun natural areas, they out-compete native plants, reduce biodiversity and destroy functioning ecosystems. Additionally, they can damage infrastructure, increase the risk of fire and cause harm to human and animal health.

St. John will discuss what is a noxious weed and how they impact the local area. She will highlight some of the important varieties found in Clallam County with information on how to identify and control them. She will provide samples of many common noxious weeds found in the community for attendees to look at and compare them to similar looking plants.

St. John is coordinator of the Clallam County Noxious Weed Control Program. Prior to accepting that position in spring of 2022, she worked in the fields of native plant propagation and restoration ecology. She has a Masters in Sustainable Forest Management from Oregon State University and has worked at native plant nurseries and on restoration projects in Washington, California and North Carolina.

Although she now spends most of her time killing weeds and educating people about the importance of killing weeds, she also enjoys discussing native plants.

The Green Thumb Education Series, sponsored by the Washington State University Clallam County Master Gardeners, is held in person on the second Thursday of each month from January through May, and September through November. Scheduled presentations are subject to change.

Visit the WSU Extension Clallam County website calendar at https:// extension.wsu.edu/clallam/master-gardener-calendar/ for the latest information on upcoming presentations. For questions, call 360-565-2678.