Lake Mead Invasive Plant Management Team

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Invasive plants are a widespread problem that almost everyone is familiar with. The weeds in your backyard that you pull every weekend are an example. Within the National Park System alone, there are over 2.6 million acres infested with these non-native, invasive plants. They cause numerous problems. They destroy cultural and historical sites, increase fire hazards, deplete natural resources such as water, and they crowd out native vegetation, which serve as a food or shelter source for many animals.

Invasive Plant Management Team

In 2000, spurred by the Congressional Natural Resource Challenge, the National Park Service acted on a national level in response to the growing invasive plant problem and created the first Invasive Plant Management Teams (EPMTs) (formerly called the Exotic Plant Management Team). Today there are 16 teams that are deployed across the entire country including Hawaii, Alaska & the US Virgin Islands.

The Lake Mead IPMT served as a model for the development of the nationwide IPMT program from 1996 to 2000. Permanent NPS funding was secured for the team in 2002. The team has leveraged this funding by creating partnerships with several federal, state and local partners. After all, these plants know no boundaries. The IPMT has also partnered with the United States Geological Survey to conduct weed control studies to improve effectiveness.

Due to its numerous years in operation and effective control methods, the Lake Mead NRA IPMT is widely regarded as one of the best invasive weed control groups in the region. Because of this, the team is often solicited by other federal land management agencies, local governments and other entities.

Lake Mead's Top Invasive Species

Salt Cedar
Pucture Vine (Goatshead)
Sahara Mustard
Russian Knapweed
Perennial Pepperweed
Fountaingrass

Palm Tree (Yes, Palm Trees are not native)
Malta Starthistle
Athel
Arundo
Camelthorn

Report Invasive Plants


When you report invasive plants at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, it helps us know where to send resources to help control the weed's spread. When you send your report, please include GPS coordinates and a detailed description of the location, how you got there, and the type of weed (e.g. five tufts of fountain grass are near the shore on the northwest side of Sandy Cove we access the area via boat; Or, Puncture Vine located in a pull out on the east side of the road 1 mile down the dirt road fork to Bonelli Bay)
NPS Areas Covered

Arches NP, Utah
Bryce NP, Utah
Canyon de Chelly NM, Arizona
Canyonlands NP, Utah
Capitol Reef NP, Utah
Cedar Breaks NM, Utah
Death Valley NP, California
Great Basin NP, Nevada
Hovenweep NM, Utah

Joshua Tree NP, California
Lake Mead NRA, Nevada/Arizona
Manzanar NHS, California
Mojave NPres, California
Natural Bridges NM, Utah
Parashant NM, Arizona
Pipe Spring NM, Arizona
Timpanogos Cave NM, Utah
Zion NP, Utah


Bureau of Land Management

Las Vegas District
Needles District

Fish and Wildlife Service

Ash Meadows NWR
Bill Williams NWR
Desert NWR
Havasu NWR
Moapa NWR

Forest Service

Humbolt-Toiyabe NF

Local Partners

City of Henderson
Clark County, NV
Southern NV Interagency Restoration Team
Southern Nevada Water Authority

Canyon De Chelly
 
Canyon De Chelly
Salt Cedar removal. The first photo was taken before the teams started clearing the area. The second was taken after the control treatment was completed.

Last updated: August 8, 2022

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

601 Nevada Way
Boulder City, NV 89005

Phone:

702 293-8990
Emergency: Dial 911 (24 hours); Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 (24 hours); Visitor and Recreation Information: Dial 702-293-8990; Park Business and Administration: Dial 702-293-8906.

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