Purpose

This website was created to increase citizens' knowledge of invasive plant species and to help landowners, and land managers identify and control invasive plant species on their properties. The plants on this web site include the 12 species of noxious weeds in the State, and a host of other plant species which have the potential to cause ecological or agronomic harm.

Under North Dakota law, NDCC 63-01.1, landowners and land managers have a duty to control the spread of or eradicate noxious weeds. Similar legal requirements do not exist for invasive species that are not noxious weeds. In recent years however many public agencies and counties have instituted policies regarding the management and control of invasive species. And, depending upon their management goals increasing numbers of private landowners have growing interest and awareness of invasive species. This web site is for them.

This web page was developed by a coalition of interests and partners. Funding for this web site has come from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Special thanks are also extended to the North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society for assisting on this project. In addition to the above entities appreciation is extended to the North Dakota Weed Control Association and U.S. Forest Service for their efforts in organizing the statewide Invasive Species Workshop. Through the collaborative development of this web site and symposium, this site serves as a template and catalyst for diverse interests working together for North Dakota in the future.

Disclaimer

This list of noxious and invasive species has been developed by a committee and is not an official list of any one agency or the state of North Dakota.

Definitions

For purposes of categorizing invasive species in North Dakota , two categories are proposed: 1) noxious weeds 2) plants that may be potentially invasive.

"Noxious weed" means any plant propagated by either seed or vegetative parts which is determined by the commissioner after consulting with the North Dakota State University Extension Service, or a county weed board after consulting with the county extension agent, to be injurious to public health, crops, livestock, land, or other property. (ND Century Code 63-01.1-02).

An "invasive species" is defined as a species that is 1) non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and 2) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. (Executive Order 13112).