For Immediate Release  
Contact: Dave Rose
Public Information Officer
Tel: 520-6540 Cell 337-9239
daverose@elpasoco.com
                         
El Paso County Welcomes Citizens to Get on Board the Noxious Weed Bus Tour

Colorado Springs, July 13, 2010 – El Paso County’s Environmental Division and the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services are co-sponsoring a Noxious Weed Bus Tour on Wednesday, August 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This tour is free to the public and will include travel through the Garden of the Gods and Bear Creek Regional parks, where participants will be instructed on the identification, impacts and management of a variety of noxious (hazardous) weeds in El Paso County.

“This is an eye-opening opportunity for the public to learn about the dangers of noxious weeds, which are aggressively invading and disrupting our native vegetation and ecosystems,” said Environmental Division Manager Kathy Andrew. “These non-native plants threaten our drinking water supply, agricultural crops, pasture land, wildlife, domestic animas and native habitats. The Noxious Weed Tour is a great opportunity for citizens to work together and construct a plan to control these deceptive and invasive species.”

Members of the public can reserve their spots on the tour by contacting the County at the number or email address to follow. Participants will meet at the Garden of the Gods Visitors Center parking lot, located at 1805 N. 30th Street (at Gateway Road) in Colorado Springs, CO, 80904. Lunch will be provided.

RSVP by July 28, 2010 to 520-7871 or e-mail lindapowell@elpasoco.com. Seating is limited.