MEEKER | The White River Alliance held its monthly meeting for July last week at the Heritage Culture Center in Meeker, where board members, partners, and the public gathered for financial updates, project discussions, and a presentation on biocontrol from Dan Bean, the director of the Palisade Insectary.
The meeting opened with a financial report from treasurer Lois Williams. Williams noted that the group would be disbursing $3,000 for two scholarships — $1,500 each to graduating seniors in Meeker and Rangely — bringing the alliance’s balance below $2,000.
Board President Shawn Welder shared an update from earlier that day, when he and one of his family members joined Dr. Dorsett to sample aquatic insects.
“We spent the morning with Dr. Dorsett and one of my relatives, and we did some sampling of insects,” Welder said. “Aquatic insects can be a tremendous indicator of the health of the ecosystem, and we want to learn more and be versed in some of the aquatic insects — what they do, how sensitive they are to the environment and changes, and chemicals — so we’re all about insects. It was a great day for insects.”
Later in the meeting, John Leary with RiversEdge West offered project updates, including tamarisk and Russian olive removal efforts in the Trujillo area. He said the organization is working with local conservation districts to organize a workshop for landowners to learn more about invasive tree removal.
“There are areas where these trees are causing a lot of problems for folks, and areas where they’re not — and people like them,” Leary said. “It’s not about full eradication. It’s about identifying opportunities for improvement and helping people do that. That takes planning, and we want to connect folks early.”
Leary invited the alliance to co-host and promote the workshop. Director Deirdre Macnab made a motion for the White River Alliance to sponsor and support the effort, which passed unanimously.
Welder spoke about past collaboration with RiversEdge West, including an ongoing tamarisk removal effort along Yellow Creek and the White River.
“We floated downriver with Mary Taylor and used GPS to mark tamarisk and Russian olive locations,” he said. “Some of these places you can’t drive to, but you can get a boat to them—and that’s how we’re going to attack some of these invasives.”
The featured guest speaker of the evening was Dan Bean, director of the Palisade Insectary. Bean provided an overview of biological control, or “biocontrol,” which uses beneficial insects to manage invasive pests and weeds.
The Palisade Insectary, founded in 1945 to serve peach growers in the Grand Valley, now focuses primarily on weed control. Bean said 75% of the facility’s efforts today involve developing and releasing insect agents that target noxious weeds without harming native species.
“We try to get agents, develop them, get them out, and then—20 or 30 years later—we’re finished,” Bean said. “They’re well distributed throughout the state.”
He explained that classical biocontrol involves introducing natural enemies for invasive pests, and while it’s a long-term process, it offers sustainable results. The facility now distributes more than 20 insect agents across Colorado.
One key update Bean shared was about a moth species that had previously been denied U.S. approval due to concerns it might affect native Boraginaceae plants. However, field results in Canada suggest the moth prefers invasive targets and avoids native species—raising hopes it may be approved for use in Colorado.
“Field results from Canada suggest it selectively targets invasive species, renewing hopes for its approval in Colorado,” Bean said.
While some agents are still awaiting approval, others are in active use. Bean emphasized the need for landowners to host long-term, unsprayed “nursery” release sites where beneficial insects can establish and spread.
“You have to promise not to spray any place, none of that spot,” stated Bean.
He went on to note that landowners can still use herbicides and other control methods elsewhere on their property, just not on the specific plants that serve as host sites for the biocontrol insects.
“You can use herbicides in some spots, insects in others. We like it especially to do better with grazing because it opens up, allows that later ASA to drop by the surface of the soil,” Bean said. “In terms of IPM, you should not cross anything off the list.”
Macnab brought up the mosquito spraying with permethrin in the White River Valley and how it caused challenges to many of the early biocontrol releases.
“They used to spray the entire river valley in the air about four or five times a year, but three years ago they stopped, and this group was influential in getting that stopped.” Macnab said.
She noted help from Dr. Dorsett and the rest of the White River Alliance.
Bean encouraged landowners to reach out if they spot infestations or want help identifying potential release sites. Macnab shared local examples, including a 7,000-beetle release effort near Lake Avery and a growing Russian knapweed population in the Oak Ridge area.
Bean confirmed the agents are capable of spreading, especially when released strategically.
The discussion also included a landowner’s praise for technician Quinton Barnett, who recently visited their property to assist with managing a test plot treated with Tordon.
“It made a real difference to have someone come out and help guide the process,” they said.
Bean and alliance members also touched on the rising concern over poison hemlock, a highly toxic plant that has gained attention in recent years. While biocontrol options are limited, Bean said Colorado teams are beginning to collect and manage agents for future efforts.
The White River Alliance will continue these important conversations and collaborations at their next monthly meeting, scheduled for Aug. 20, 2025, at 5 p.m. All community members interested in river health and invasive species management are encouraged to attend.
