About the VCWMA

The WMA along with its partners functions under the authority of a mutually developed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which establishes the terms and conditions under which the WMA operates.

The Ventura County Resource Conservation District (VCRCD), is the lead agency for the VCWMA, and in conjunction with its partners, coordinates activities and communication of the Steering Committee.

• The full text of the VCWMA's Memorandum of Understanding.
• The full text of the VCWMA's Strategic Plan.

Authority

The authority for the establishment of the VCWMA lies in the California Food and Agricultural Code, Section 7272(b), which states:

"A 'weed management area' is a local organization that brings together all interested landowners, land managers (private, city, county, state, and federal), special districts, and the public in a county or other geographical area for the purpose of coordinating and combining their actions and expertise to deal with their common weed control problems. The organization shall function under the authority of a mutually developed memorandum of understanding and subject to statutory and regulatory requirements. A weed management area may be voluntarily governed by a chairperson or a steering committee."

VCWMA Mission Statement

The VCWMA will strive to initiate, coordinate, and promote activities necessary to prevent the introduction of new invasive and noxious weeds, halt the spread of these species, reduce the areas under infestation, promote Integrated Weed Management techniques, eradicate certain species where possible, and educate local agencies, municipalities and the general public within Ventura County about the problems associated with invasive and noxious weeds.

VCWMA Goals

1. Protect and enhance the native biodiversity of flora and fauna and maintain and restore natural habitats of Ventura County.
2. Reduce the fire hazard, erosion damage and flood danger caused by invasive and noxious weeds within the county.
3. Increase the value and usefulness of cropland, pastureland, stream corridors, natural open spaces or wildlands and parks

To reach these goals, the VCWMA will focus on:

A. PREVENTION - Exclude and prevent the establishment of new noxious and invasive weed infestations and spread of existing noxious and invasive weed infestations.

B. CONTROL - Promote the effective management or eradication of designated weeds using a comprehensive watershed approach. Recognize the need for long-term monitoring, and include monitoring activities in all restoration projects and budgetary considerations.

C. EDUCATION - Increase public and staff awareness of the threats posed by noxious and invasive weeds.

D. COOPERATION - Facilitate development of cooperative agreements for local weed management areas, which include opportunities for shared funding sources, resources, materials, personnel, volunteers, expertise, equipment, and reduced permit/service fees. Share technical information regarding control methods, locations, new infestations, project success amongst parties and with other regional and local weed management areas.