PARENT SESSION
Poster Session #11: Education: Post-graduate and Outreach.
Monday, August 5. Presentation from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Exhibit Hall B & C, TCC

Education and outreach: Weed resources for the western United States.

Kelly, Susan^*,1, ¹ Center for Invasive Plant Management, Bozeman, Montana

ABSTRACT- Education and Outreach: Weed Resources for the Western United States The Center for Invasive Plant Management synthesizes general information about invasive plants, scientific knowledge, and practical solutions for weed control so that it is accessible by land management personnel, education and research communities, and private landowners across the West. The Center will achieve this goal through the development of a variety of educational initiatives. Our first initiative is a web-based, weed education, distance learning program. This is a logical way to reach a diverse, geographically divided population, and to provide scientifically based information about weed ecology and management to people working in the field. Our first course, Ecological Principles of Invasive Plant Management, will be co-taught by weed experts across the West. It will be offered to land managers through distance-learning technology, during the fall of 2002. The second initiative, the Centers website, is designed to reach a wide and varied audience. It provides a valuable regional resource for invasive plant issues, and serves as a clearinghouse for information. Hands-on weed education is provided for the classroom and community through our third initiative, a weed resource box. The box has been developed as an educational tool for western weed managers and educators. Information about weed biology, weed management, and regional resources are included along with curricula, activity guides and educational props.

KEY WORDS: education , on-line courses, distance learning