Contact: Elizabeth Brown, NAISMA Certified Weed Free Products Program Manager, ​414-215-0532,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In Effort to Prevent Noxious Weeds From Spreading Through Mulch, North American Invasive Species Management Association Adds Mulch to Certified Weed Free Products Program

Milwaukee, WI (Mar. 24, 2021)—The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) announces a new addition to its Certified Weed Free Products Program: weed free mulch. Many federal, state, and local lands require the use of certified weed free forage, gravel, or mulch on their properties because invasive plants or noxious weeds cause serious harm to the environment, agriculture, and the economy. Once introduced, weeds can be difficult to control and expensive to manage. 

The NAISMA Certified Weed Free Products Program is the only prevention program in North America that provides land managers with assurance that noxious weeds will not be spread through the movement of forage, hay, mulch, or gravel brought into the property. NAISMA maintains the science-based standards, provides guidelines, and ensures uniform training. NAISMA coordinates the multi-jurisdictional program implementation and provides a forum for continued communication and engagement among stakeholders. 

NAISMA Certified Weed Free Products program manager Elizabeth Brown is excited to add mulch to the program’s offerings. “Mulch, along with gravel and forage, are pathways for invasive weeds to spread, and we know that implementing the NAISMA certified weed free product standards across jurisdictions will prevent further losses to invasive species,” she says. Currently 27 states and one province participate in the program.

Noxious weeds can travel easily through mulch, as any gardener or landscaper can attest. There is a growing demand in North America for the use of certified weed free mulch as part of an integrated weed management strategy to limit the spread of noxious weeds. NAISMA works with states, provinces, local governments, federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private industry to implement standards and provide continuity among various organizations in the program.

Organizations interested in participating can learn more about the Certified Weed Free Products program here.

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The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) is a network of professionals challenged by invasive species: land managers, water resource managers, state, regional, and federal agency directors and staff, researchers, and nonprofit organizations. The mission of NAISMA is to support, promote, and empower invasive species prevention and management in North America. NAISMA’s members are a diverse group of individuals and organizations who are involved in implementing invasive species management programs at all scales. Its programs aim to provide the support, training, and standards needed by the professional invasive species management community. For more information, visit NAISMA.org.