-Release forms (see our version below), pencils, clip baords, extra paper.
-Site markers (we provide fence posts or tall wire survey flags for land owners to place at each new release site).
-Tape, stapler, extra insect containers (we use paper ice cream containers).
-Sweep nets with replacement parts.
-Accelerators (if you feel you need to "clean up" what is in the nets- i.e. seperate the flea beetles from most of the other insects in the sweep net,
-Education/PR handouts.
-Camera(s), film
-Stickers with the address of the owner of the site- so that all collecting can send thank you letters.

1. Come and net it yourself on the day announced, bring a jar and a cooler with an ice pack to transport them home.
2. Not disturb your release site for 5 years.  (By disturb, we mean not HEAVILY graze, spray out, build a road through it, etc..)
3. Sketch out a map of your release site and fill out a bit of paper work (sorry, records...).
4. Allow the counties to monitor the site and redistribute some of the agents if they become well established.
5. Get some free bugs to munch your weeds!

2. LEAFY SPURGE FLEA BEETLE NET DAY.   FREE BUGS!!
    If you are a land owner in Jefferson or Madison County and have a somewhat dry site infested with leafy spurge, here is your chance to net yourself a free release of leafy spurge flea beetles.
    Where: Meet at the Waterloo turn off of high way 69 about 10 miles South of Whitehall.  (Between Whitehall and Silverstar.)
-When: 9:00 AM Monday July 26th.
-What Will Happen: We will leave as a group from the Waterloo turn off at about 9:15 AM and caravan about 2 miles to the collection site.  Driving will be on paved and gravel roads that a sedan can easily handle.  The collection sites are close to the road so you will only have to climb a fence and walk a short distance.  It should only take a few minutes to fill out the paper work and to net up and package your release.  You should then head on home and release the insects as soon as possible on your site.
What we will provide:

-We will show you how to collect and transport the insects.
-We will have sweep nets for you to make the flea beetle collection.
-We will have some paper containers for you to transport the insects in however, if you can bring your own containers that would help us out.
-Staples and tape to seal the containers.

-Proper clothing and foot gear.
-A cooler with an ice pack to transport the insects.
-one or two pieces of crumpled newspaper to keep the insect container from directly touching the ice pack. (touching the ice pack may make the insects too cold!).
-If you can, please bring a jar, paper lunch sack or other appropriate insect container to hold your release.
Remember, these flee beetles are quite small!!  We will have some paper containers on site, we just hope that you will return these after you make your release. 
-A thank you note for the private land owners of these sites who are willing to "share the wealth."
What your release site needs to be like:
-These flea beetles need a rather dry, open site preferably with rather sandy soil..
-Do not disturb your release site for at least 5 years.  (By disturb, we mean not HEAVILY graze, spray out, build a road through it, etc..)
-You need to be willing to allow the counties to map and monitor the site and redistribute some of the agents if they become well established.  We will help you redistribute them on your own land first, of course!!

Name_____________________________                    Date__________________________
 

Mailing Address_____________________                    Phone #_______________________
 

_________________________________                    FAX and/or email_______________
 

Home Address_____________________                    _____________________________
(if different)

____________________________________________
 

Common or Sci. Name of Species Released_______________________________________

Species of Weed at Site________________                   Date of Release_________________
 

General Description- of how to find the release site_________________________________
(start with a commonly known point such as a highway or town)

________________________________________________________________________
 

________________________________________________________________________
 

________________________________________________________________________
 

________________________________________________________________________
 

________________________________________________________________________
 

____________________________________________Township________ Range________
 

Signature_______________________________                    Other Comments:
 
 
 

(Over)
Draw a map of how to locate the release site that relates to the General Description above:
(start with a commonly known point such as a highway or town)

Mail to:
Jefferson County Weed Dist.
Box H
Boulder, MT 59632
 
 

CAN WE CHECK YOUR BUGS PLEASE?
    Because of the efforts of the Jefferson County Weed District, landowners, former Weed Supervisor Pat Kountz, current Weed Supervisor Dave Burch, teacher Todd Breitenfeldt, and many WHS students, Jefferson County has receive many releases of biological control insects to help control noxious weeds.
    We are now hoping to check every release site in the County.  This is a rather monumental task as there are over 100 release sites, most on private land scattered through out the County.  This effort is funded by the Noxious Weed Trust Fund, specifically by the cooperative Greenhouse/Insectary Grant at Whitehall High School.  Here is what we are trying to do:
1. Check for establishment of the insect (bio. control agent).  Are they there and how many are there?
2. Check for damage to the weeds.  Are they working??
3. Use Global Positioning to create a computer map of all the sites.  This will make this task easier in the future and will generate a permanent record.
4. Land owners, if you want, we will redistribute these bio. control agents for you on your land as you see fit.
5. Land owners, we are hoping some of you will want to "share the wealth" by allowing us to:
  a. Take a release or two to other land owners, or
  b. If you have a really good leafy spurge flea beetle site, we are looking for one or more sites where we could have a supervised "flea beetle net day" where other county land owners could come, use our sweep nets to collect a release, and take these insects back to their land for release.

 So, WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!!  Help us be more efficient!!  If you have a release on your land, please call us:
 Todd Breitenfeldt 287-5403 (evenings or leave a message) or E-mail: tbreit@whtlsv99.ixi.net
 Dave Burch, Jefferson Co. Weed Supervisor 225-4156 (days or leave a message) or e-mail:  dburch@hotmail.com

 Please leave your name, phone number, and how and when we may check your site(s), or if you do not want us to check them.  All information about your site is confidential unless you designate otherwise.