Updated 10/2/09

Cooperative Weed Management Areas
in Washington State

For more information e-mail us.

As of spring 2008, Washington State mapped 28 active Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMA) throughout the state. These CWMAs are in addition to the County Noxious Weed Control Programs working throughout the state. Many Washington State CWMAs involve more than one county, and sometimes they include more than one state. The 2008 Spring Survey is summarized with contact information, resource focus and the area of each CWMA.

What is the difference between a CWMA and a County Noxious Weed Control Board?

CWMAs are relatively new to our state, with several of the early ones starting in the late 1980's. During the spring of 2008, Washington State Dept. of Agriculture (WSDA) conducted a phone survey of current CWMAs in Washington. What they all have in common, at this time, is that a County Noxious Weed Control Program is somehow involved with every CWMA in our state. The Washington State CWMA survey sheets provide specific information for each CWMA gathered at that time.

CWMAs are defined by the Western Weed Coordinating Committee and Center for Invasive Plant Management (CIPM) as a partnership of federal, state, and local government agencies, tribes, individuals, and various interested groups that manage noxious weeds or invasive plants in a defined area.

The five basic characteristics (endorsed by the Western Weed Coordinating Committee, posted on the CIPM website):

1. Defined geographical area distinguished by a common geography, weed problem, community, climate, political boundary or land use.
2. Involvement of representation of the majority of landowners and natural resource managers in the defined area.
3. Steering committee.
4. Commitment to cooperation.
5. Comprehensive plan that addressed the management or prevention of one or more noxious weeds or invasive plants.

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For more information, follow the CIPM website links to CWMA "How to Resources". Information includes: CIPM grants; CWMA cookbook: A Recipe for Success - ID Noxious Weed Coordinating Committee; creating an integrated noxious weed management plant and weed management plan outline - CO Natural Areas Program; and sample memorandum of understandings.

Where does Coordinated Resource Management (CRM) fit into this picture?

CRM is a process that empowers local people to solve land use and natural resource issues, together through collaborative problem solving. The ways CRM can help include:

• Decide whether a collaborative process is best.
• Help to identify possible stakeholders, partners and resource assistance.
• Mentor key players in a collaborative group.
• Locate key people willing to share their experiences and successes.
• Find funding sources.
• Troubleshoot specific problem areas and contentious issues.
• Provide training opportunities.

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