The University of Wyoming’s Institute for Managing Annual Grasses Invading Natural Ecosystems (IMAGINE) has unveiled two new documentary films focusing on invasive cheatgrass control efforts in Carbon and Sublette counties. These films are part of a broader seven-part series showcasing regional collaborations aimed at protecting native sagebrush ecosystems from invasive annual grasses such as cheatgrass, medusahead, and ventenata.
Invasive annual grasses pose a significant threat to the sagebrush biome by suppressing native vegetation, accelerating wildfire risks, and diminishing forage for livestock and wildlife. IMAGINE collaborates with various local, state, and regional partners—including government agencies, conservation organizations, university researchers, and landowners—to develop science-based solutions and practical management tools to halt the spread of these species.
The series began with “Defend Your Core: An Invasive Annual Grasses Story,” which lays out the scope and urgency of the problem, followed by the two latest films focused specifically on Wyoming’s Carbon and Sublette counties. The first of these, “Cheatgrass in Carbon County: Everything to Gain and Everything to Lose,” features interviews with Carbon County Weed & Pest District supervisor Reese Irvine, who discusses herbicide treatment programs and monitoring efforts. Contributions also come from leaders at the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation and the Bureau of Land Management, emphasizing the stakes involved in managing cheatgrass infestation.
Addressing a critical message, Irvine notes that more sagebrush acres are lost annually to cheatgrass than any other factor in Wyoming, underscoring the state's strategic position in either controlling or succumbing to this threat.
The third film, “Cheatgrass Control in Sublette County: Safeguarding Our Lands for the Future,” highlights ongoing cooperative management efforts led by Sublette County Weed & Pest Supervisor Julie Kraft. This installment reflects more than a decade of monitoring data and collaborative work uniting ranchers, land managers, and agencies to implement strategies that transcend property boundaries and enhance ecosystem resilience.
All films are available to the public on IMAGINE’s dedicated website, offering accessible insights and practical approaches for landowners and managers dealing with invasive grasses. The series also includes episodes covering similar initiatives in Nevada, Colorado, and Idaho, illustrating a regional commitment to invasive species management across the western United States.