Noxious Weed Board hosts workshop

NEWPORT — The Pend Oreille County Noxious Weed Board is once again hosting its free Neighborhood Cost Share Workshop, which includes a full line-up of expert speakers.

This year, the workshop is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at the Camas Center for Community Wellness in Cusick, and will also be accessible virtually.

Topics include invasive grass management, lawn and turf care, toxic plant awareness, weed identification, laws and agriculture soil health.

“There will be a lot of great information from speakers this year,” board coordinator Loretta Nichols said in a news release. “And we are excited to see everyone.”

There will be refreshments available to attendees, a taco bar lunch offered for $5 per person and a door prize raffle.

Pesticide recertification credits will be available for Washington and Idaho attendees who hold a pesticide license.

Registration for the workshop is required at pendoreille.gov/weedboard/ page/2026-ncsworkshop. For more information, call 509447-2402 or email noxweedinfo@ pendoreille. gov.

In addition to program funding, the workshop would not be possible without sponsors such as the Kalispel Natural Resources Department, Wilbur-Ellis and Nutrien Solutions, as well as door prize sponsors such as Selkirk Ace Hardware, The Newport Roxy Theater, My Sidewalk Café, North 40 Outfitters, and Envu. Those interested in donating a door prize can contact the Weed Board using the information above.

The board holds this workshop annually to kick off its Neighborhood Cost Share program in the spring, providing landowners an opportunity to manage their weeds more cost-effectively and meet their weed management goals. The NCS program provides cost-share with landowners who form weed management groups at 50% of the management costs, with a cap of $500 per group.

Eligible costs include applying weed prevention principles such as fertilizing, planting competitive vegetation, applying herbicides and hiring contractors.

Applications are accepted annually from March through April.

Cost share funds are limited and first come, first served.