Invasive Plants in PNW Ecosystems
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Strategic Management of Public Invasive Species Programs.Steven Burke, King County Noxious Weed Control Program Government invasive species control programs can create significant public value in terms of economic, environmental, recreational and public health benefits. These benefits are however constrained by: 1) inconsistencies between jurisdictions and 2) lack of effective administration within them. As well as being ecological opportunists, invasive species also exploit administrative and jurisdictional weaknesses and opportunities. Increasingly, land management agencies are developing strategies to focus their activities to achieve defined invasive species program missions and goals. Effectiveness of these strategies will be increased through their harmonization with overarching regional and national strategic frameworks. Equally important, though less strongly emphasized, strategic management is necessary over time to successfully implement these strategies, and account for increases in public value. In King County, Washington, strategic management is used to deliver increased public value from noxious weed control. Working towards the mission of “minimizing noxious weed impact on the environment, recreation, public health and economic resources ”, the program measures performance using indicators for specific operational goals. These goals and some 2005 performance indicator results are: 1) Eradication of existing infestations and preventing new infestations of Class A (highest priority) noxious weeds - 60 % area found to date eradicated. 2) Controlling designated Class B (second-tier priority) noxious weeds to below thresholds of significant impact - 78% area found in 2005 controlled. A variety of management tools are used to improve these indicators over time. These emphasize alignment of staff accountability with program goals, and increasing their empowerment and participation in program decision-making.
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