Missoula County Department of Ecology has hosted the Montana Biocontrol Coordination Project (MTBCP) since its inception in 2013. MTBCP is a grassroots effort initiated by federal, state, county, non-profit, and private land managers throughout Montana who saw a need for increased coordination within the state’s weed biocontrol program. The mission of MTBCP is to provide coordination, leadership, and education necessary to enable land managers across Montana to successfully incorporate biological weed control into their noxious weed management programs. We work towards our mission by focusing on collecting and distributing insects, tracking release sites for potential future collection sites, monitoring to determine the impacts of biocontrol, providing educational programs, coordinating with out-of-state partners, supporting biocontrol consortiums, and conducting surveys for partner needs.
Many of the biocontrol systems that are successful in Montana are widespread in Missoula County. Missoula County has a long history of engaging in and utilizing biocontrol as a weed management tool. Currently, the Missoula County Youth in Restoration crew annually participates in collecting, distributing and monitoring biocontrol within Missoula County. The insects that are collected by the Youth in Restoration crew are available for land managers as requested.
Useful Links:
- Request Biocontrol from the Missoula Department of Ecology
- Montana Biocontrol Coordination Project
- Commonly Utilized and Effective Biocontrol Systems in Montana:
- Field Guide for the Biological Control of Weeds in the Northwest
- Montana Biocontrol Action Plan
