Jennifer Mohler has dedicated her career to managing invasive species and raising awareness about them. When she first set up a booth at a farmers’ market in Big Sky, Montana, people approached her with a completely different idea in mind. Instead of discussing invasive weeds, they thought she was selling cannabis. “Different kind of weed,” she would laugh, wishing more folks understood the importance of her work.
Initially, her organization was called the Gallatin/Big Sky Weed Committee. In 2017, it became the Gallatin Invasive Species Alliance, but interest was still lacking. People simply didn’t connect weeds with broader environmental issues.
In 2023, she rebranded the nonprofit as Grow Wild. This shift emphasized the benefits of healthy land management, sparking newfound interest and understanding. Now, people recognize that taking care of the land impacts wildlife positively, shifting the focus from just the problems pests can cause.
The climate is changing, and Mohler has seen it firsthand. Under the Trump administration, funding priorities shifted, which left her worried. Yet, she values the increased collaboration among those who recognize the link between invasive weeds and wildlife. “It’s like a lightbulb going on,” she observes about how awareness is growing.
Mohler’s innovative approach earned her the Cooperative Weed Management Area of the Year Award in 2023. This recognition highlights active strategies in weed management, reflecting Mohler’s dedication to connecting noxious weeds with local flora and fauna.
With a degree in botany from Colorado State University, Mohler initially lacked knowledge in sustainable land management. However, after managing her own land and teaching, she realized that weeds often signal poor land health. “Weeds are an indicator of ecological balance,” she explains.
Ranchers have understood this connection for ages. For Mohler, it became clear when she bought 10 acres in Belgrade that suffered from overgrazing. After years of work to restore its health, she faced a new challenge: hoary alyssum, an invasive plant. Managing this issue involved hours of labor and strategies like targeted herbicide use. Yet, she knows full eradication is impossible. “No one is perfect,” she notes. “But a win is getting enough grass to think about more horses.”
Diverse plant life benefits the ecosystem, prompting the Mohlers to plant shrubs and native wildflowers instead of rushing to buy more horses. Mohler is also actively supporting native plants at the Crail Ranch in Big Sky.
Over her 15 years in Big Sky, Mohler has noticed a shift in local attitudes. More people now recognize the interconnectedness of species and approach her for advice on managing their properties. Yet significant challenges remain, such as second-home owners not prioritizing land health. Mohler draws a parallel to climate change, saying, “We’re the problem, so we must be the solution.”
Here are three practical ways to support local ecosystems:
- Remove invasive plants, focusing on native species, which are vital for a thriving ecosystem.
- Identify noxious weeds on your property and take action to manage them.
- Strive to plant native species, aiming for 70 percent coverage over time.
Awareness is the first step toward meaningful change. Engaging with local ecosystems enhances biodiversity and creates a healthier environment for everyone.
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