When NOT to pack it out!

Most of your life you've been urged to "pack it out" referring to litter. Now we're faced with an invasion of noxious weeds that we DON'T want to pack out.

Why? Because they are major pests that reduce natural diversity, destroy recreational environments and costs millions of dollars each year in lost agricultural productivity and increased maintenance costs. The last thing we want to do is help them spread.

With exotic names such Houndstongue, Buffalobur, Dalmation Toadflax, Tansy Ragwort and Medusahead Rye, these invaders have also become one of the latest arguments for limiting access to off-road recreational areas.

What can we do?

- Become familiar with local noxious weeds and help disseminate that information to fellow off-road enthusiasts. To find a listing of noxious weeds in your area, try the Web sites for local land management agencies such as the Forest Service, BLM and DNR, county and state noxious weed control boards or check the extension services of your local university. You'll find a listing of helpful Web sites at the end of this article.

- Observe "Tread Lightly" principals by staying on designated trails and out of weed patches.

- Check clothing, pets, tires, winch lines, and undercarriage periodically for "hitch hiker" branches and seeds.

- Control weeds on your own property.

- Report weed sites to the local county weed board or land management agency.

- Don't pick the "pretty" flowers of unknown species and take them home.

- Don't camp in weed infested areas.