Marion Soil & Water Conservation District

Invasive Plant Program

An invasive weed is usually a non-native plant that spreads rapidly, is difficult to remove, and causes environmental or economic damage by taking over an area. Invasive plant species are having significant negative impacts on landowners throughout Marion County and beyond. These plants are impacting water quality in important watersheds, disturbing ecosystems by displacing native desirable plants and wildlife, and negatively affecting timber production and the agricultural industry. In the US, the cost estimate for the direct and indirect impacts of invasive plants is $143 billion per year, and in Oregon it is estimated that 21 species of noxious weeds cost $125 million a year to control. (The Economics of Invasive Species, 2011, OSU Sea Grant Publication ORESU-G-09-001).

How can the Marion SWCD help you?

Identification Assistance

Staff looking at a plant Have a plant that's bugging you? Bring a sample (with flowers if possible) into the Marion SWCD office and have staff help you identify it and provide you with information on control techniques if necessary. In addition, the District has herbarium specimens to aid in identifying plants. If you are curious about any plant, contact us to schedule a site visit to your property.

Control and Management Options

Person pulling a weed The staff at the Marion SWCD can provide technical assistance regarding manual, chemical, biological or mechanical control of invasive plants. You can also view general control guidelines for plants that are on the Marion County Weed List here. Got ivy? Here's a slideshow to help you with weed management.

Education and Outreach

Staff looking at a plant The Marion SWCD has a booth at a number of yearly community events, and always has information about invasive species available for free. Come see us at Ag Fest, Earth Day at the Oregon Garden, the Salem Saturday Market, or stop by the District office to take advantage of the wall of informational brochures on just about any topic involving natural resources.

Weed Pulls

Ivy Occasionally the District partners with local agencies to host weed pull events around the county. Please check the events calendar to see if any are scheduled in your area. The Glenn-Gibson Watershed Council in Salem has recently formed a local "No Ivy League" to combat ivy. Take a look at their website to see if there are any ivy pull events happening around Salem.

Invasive Plant Surveys

Survey Crew crossing stream For the past 4 years the Marion SWCD has been addressing invasive plant issues throughout Marion County by surveying and mapping problem areas along the County's waterways. In the past, surveys have been conducted along the Little North Fork of the Santiam River, the entire North Santiam River from Idanha to its confluence with the South Santiam River, the Santiam River from Jefferson to the Willamette River, Zollner Creek, and Bochsler Creek. Reports, results, maps and more information are available here.