2024 River Weed Rodeo
Volunteers pose at the River Weed Rodeo BBQ and celebration.
The River Weed Rodeo launched in 2003, as the brainchild of then-raft guide Brenda Guzman. Brenda gathered support from the four local raft guide companies, Wild River Outfitters, Glacier Raft Co, Glacier Guides & Montana Raft, and Great Northern for a burgers and beer party after a combined weed pulling effort. Brenda was troubled by the Spotted Knapweed infestation at the Moccasin Creek river access site, and was inspired to begin pulling weeds along the Middle Fork river corridor. From here, the event has grown to cover about 40 miles on the Middle Fork of the Flathead, from Essex to the Blankenship bridge. Holding strong to tradition, the volunteers meet up at Wild River for a celebration after the weed pull, with a barbeque and raffle prizes.
The River Weed Rodeo is now so popular and such a community favorite, that the 2024 event had to limit spots to keep in line with floating regulations, and quickly filled the roster with an assorted group of passionate volunteers. The 160 volunteers included FRA staff, board members, and supporters, as well as an MCC youth crew, representatives from all 4 of those original raft companies, community members, and National Park and Forest Service representatives, including the new Flathead National Forest Supervisor, Anthony Botello. “I loved participating in the 2024 Weed Rodeo.” said Flathead Forest Supervisor Anthony Botello. “The work to reduce noxious weeds along the entire Flathead River system, by hundreds of volunteers and professionals has been exemplary. The outstanding level of support and collaboration for our Wild and Scenic Rivers by volunteers, outfitters and guides, and partners is a model for private-public partnerships and Wild and Scenic River System stewardship.”
Glacier National Park Biologist Dawn LaFleur highlights the importance of education in weed mitigation, which continues to be a big focus of this event. There are some great resources you can reference if interested in learning more about the weeds causing trouble in our area and how to manage them. Check out Montana Weed Control Association's informational Weed ID webpage for more info.
Though weed mitigation is said to be a slow and never-ending battle, progress can be made to keep the populations in check. For example, Moccasin Creek, the Spotted Knapweed-infested inspiration for the River Weed Rodeo, now hosts a thriving native plant population. Thanks to the Park Service and Forest Service employees for their knowledge and education, and for the hard work of those involved in their weed suppression programs. And thanks to Brenda Guzman for her original call to action and unwavering support for this project!
2024 EVENT SPONSORS + PARTNERS
