Almont Triangle Cheatgrass Mapping Recap

High Country Conservation Advocates partnered with the U.S. Forest Service for a day of cheatgrass mitigation in the Almont Triangle, using CheatMaps—a GPS-based app developed through a Western Colorado University capstone project. The app allows land managers to locate and measure infestations, which in return creates more effective response. 

Cheatgrass (downy brome) is a highly invasive annual species that threatens sagebrush ecosystems in the Gunnison Country. It degrades habitat for wildlife like the Gunnison sage-grouse, reduces livestock forage, and increases wildfire risk. Early detection is critical, and this app empowers community members to report new outbreaks quickly.

Unlike some invasive plants, cheatgrass can't be destroyed simply by pulling—especially when dried, as this can spread its seeds further. Because it germinates in winter and dries out by summer, land managers like the USFS rely on detection data to plan targeted herbicide treatments in the fall.

This event marked the first treatment effort in the Almont Triangle. With help from twenty six volunteers contributing 130 hours, we recorded 199 confirmed cheatgrass observations, covering approximately 42 acres.

Huge thanks to everyone who joined us—together, we can BEAT THE CHEAT! Special appreciation to Mario’s Pizza and Pasta for providing a great lunch.

How to identify cheatgrass: Identify cheatgrass by its hairy, purplish, nodding seed heads and small, short roots, which become yellowish-tan as they dry. See photo to the left.

Download CheatMaps here: https://linktr.ee/cheatmaps