The Weed Research and Information Center (WeedRIC) has developed three educational on-line videos that are directed towards homeowners and Master Gardeners. These three videos are housed on the wric.ucdavis.edu website under the Quick Links Online Education Program button. There is no cost for their use. The first video focus on weed identification and the resources available to determine the identity of hundreds of weed species. This is a 30 min video that provides an overview of the herbarium and how scientists use keys to identify plants. It then goes into detail on the various interactive identification programs, including the on-line program also housed on the WeedRIC website. The second video describes the principles that are critical to weed science and management. This includes prevention strategies, life cycles, weed competition, weed seedbanks, and discussion of the best timing for controlling different groups of weeds. The video is about 40 min long and features many of the experts on weed science in the state. The third video is also 40 min long and focuses on the different weed control techniques that could be employed by homeowners. This includes mechanical, cultural, biological and chemical control options, with particular attention to herbicide safety and proper calibration. Again, this video utilizes the expertise of many of the most knowledgeable weed scientists in California. The Weed Research and Information Center is currently producing a fourth video on application techniques and proper equipment calibration for land managers that primarily focus on invasive plants. Any comments on the video, or suggestions for educational videos in the future, are welcome.
See http://wric.ucdavis.edu/education/online_programs.htm to directly access videos.
Nov 5, 2011
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