Natural Resources team educates at Fruita Farm and Ranch Day
Did you make your way to Fruita Farm and Ranch Day last weekend?
Our Natural Resources team spent Saturday, March 29, at the event hosted by Fruita Co-op Country/Ace Hardware, with a booth set up to educate our community on Japanese beetle eradication and noxious weeds.
Mesa County declared the Japanese beetle a public nuisance in 2023 and began strong efforts to eradicate the harmful pest. This invasive species feeds on grapes, peaches, sweet corn, trees, turfgrass, and ornamental plants, posing a significant threat to our environment and local economy. We celebrated an 85% reduction in Japanese beetle population after the successful 2024 summer treatment plan through support from our Mesa County Noxious Weed and Pest Management team, our partnership with the City of Grand Junction, Colorado State University Extension Office, the Colorado Department of Agriculture and community members.
Visit our Japanese Beetle Eradication page to learn about past and ongoing efforts to reach eradication and how you can help.
The Noxious Weed Program aims to control noxious weeds, non-native aggressive invaders that replace native vegetation, in Mesa County. These efforts try to reduce noxious weeds in our area as much as possible to minimize their potential damage, including:
- Reduction of agricultural productivity
- Wind and water erosion
- Increased threat to communities from wildfire
Find resources on noxious weed identification and learn more.
We love opportunities to join our community to support agriculture and educate residents on ways to protect our rural landscapes.
