Southern Arizona Buffelgrass Strategic Plan

Successful buffelgrass management will require coordinated action taking place across property lines and jurisdictional boundaries, and future success will demand a multi-year, integrated set of actions designed to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of treatment activities.

A 5-year Southern Arizona Buffelgrass Strategic Plan supported by a memorandum of understanding to facilitate buffelgrass management throughout the region was completed in February 2008. The completed Southern Arizona Buffelgrass Strategic Plan represents a starting point for on-the-ground implementation of a regional strategy, and it is the group's hope that it provides the road map and inspiration for buffelgrass control.

The Strategic Plan identifies five key strategies that provide the framework for successfully managing buffelgrass infestations within the region. These strategies were developed from discussions among experts, land managers and stakeholders actively working to control buffelgrass infestations. To accomplish strategic and efficient buffelgrass control the public and private sectors must work together to:

• Minimize spread in areas where buffelgrass has not yet become established.
• Set and implement control priorities based on actual and potential impacts.
• Restore treated areas in ways that increase resilience against future invasion.
• Mitigate wildfire risks to life and property in areas where control is no longer feasible.
• Motivate legislation aimed at sustaining the control effort.

The complete Strategic Plan, associated appendices, and supporting memorandum of understanding are available in PDF format below:

All documents are provided in PDF format.

• Southern Arizona Buffelgrass Strategic Plan Coverpage
• Southern Arizona Buffelgrass Strategic Plan (February 2008)
• Appendix 1: Buffelgrass Management Partners
• Appendix 2: Memorandum of Understanding
• Appendix 3: Glossary and Acronyms
• Appendix 4: Regional Buffelgrass Hot Spots
• Appendix 5: Control Methods
• Appendix 6: Preliminary List of Research Needs
• Appendix 7: Example Documents
• Appendix 8: Buffelgrass Education and Outreach Materials
• Appendix 9: List of Buffelgrass-Trained Landscaping Companies
• Appendix 10: List of Invasive Species Resources
• Appendix 11: Existing Authorities and Programs
• Appendix 12: Section 1204 of the National Invasive Species Act of 1996
• Appendix 13: Executive Order 13112 (3 February 1999)
• Appendix 14: Arizona Executive Orders (EO 2005-09; EO 2007-07)
• Appendix 15: Arizona Statutes and Regulations Pertinent to Invasive Species
• Appendix 16: Annual Operating Plans
• Complete Document