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As spring s rains and warmer temperatures bring forth a new growth of grass to the Rocky Mountain Front, a more insidious plant is attempting to take over the landscape and push out the nutritious forbs and grasses that so much wildlife depends on.
Spotted knapweed has invaded large swaths of Montana s pastureland, open space and natural landscapes making them unsuitable for livestock and wildlife alike. Central Montana s high school students will soon be doing their part to fend off this noxious invader.
Near the end of May upward of 240 high school students from Great Falls and Simms will spend one of their final school days before the summer break pulling knapweed from trails and meadows west of Augusta and around Giant Springs State Park in Great Falls. The effort has been organized by Dan Wilkins, a retired high school teacher who spent 29 years teaching applied physics to students in the Great Falls School District.