About Us

In 2009, an effort to cooperatively control noxious weeds was started. A project was formed in which several organizations would become partners. This effort established a 41,220 square mile Cooperative Weed Management Area encompassing all of Tennessee. It constitutes a joint venture of land management and industry representatives as well as state, federal, county agencies including all 95 counties of Tennessee.

Hundreds of volunteer hours, human resources, equipment, chemicals, biological controls, supplies, and technology were exchanged to accommodate the common cause of noxious weed control within Tennessee.

The focus was on trust, common goals, building relationships, establishing agreements, leadership and support groups, communications and fiscal responsibilities all which would support on-the-ground projects. Given this philosophical and organizational base we began to build support and establish the TNCWMA organization.

The TNCWMA specifies the partner's desire to "cooperate on public relations, education and training in the noxious weed area as well as weed eradication and other resource protection that might be agreed upon." The partners elected a Steering Committee to guide and implement the terms of agreement, develop a strategy, and accomplish cooperative noxious weed management projects. The Steering Committee divided the TNCWMA into three distinct management zones to help organize and prioritize specific cooperative projects.

Memorandum of Understanding

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)is to establish a cooperative weed management area (CWMA) that addresses the early detection and rapid response (EDRR) to prevent the introduction and spread of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) and other invasive plant species as designated by the cooperators within the State of Tennessee. Furthermore, it is agreed that the focus should be on promoting public education, detection, and methods of control. Educational materials should encourage the public to report suspected cogongrass and other designated species finds for verification and control. The boundaries of this CWMA shall be the entire state of Tennessee.