The Humboldt Watershed Cooperative Weed Management Area (HWCWMA) is a regional coalition dedicated to managing and controlling noxious and invasive weeds in the Humboldt River Watershed.  

The HWCWMA’s mission is to provide technical assistance, funding opportunities, and coordination to land managers, private landowners, conservation districts, and local weed control groups. Its primary goal is to prevent, contain, and eradicate invasive species that threaten agriculture, wildlife habitat, water quality, and public safety.

The watershed spans 16,843 square miles across Elko, Eureka, Lander, Humboldt, and Pershing Counties, from Wells to the Humboldt Sink and from Orovada to Ione. It includes major travel corridors like Interstate 80 and the Union Pacific Railroad.

Membership is open to any individual, organization, corporation, business, or government agency with jurisdiction or interest in the watershed.  Members include ranchers, private landowners, state and federal employees, conservation districts, and municipalities.

The HWCWMA’s work is organized into three broad components:

1. Education – Raising awareness about invasive species and their impacts.
2. Prevention – Identifying and blocking pathways for weed spread.
3. Cooperative Projects – Funding and coordinating weed control, restoration, and prevention efforts.

The HWCWMA is a 501 (c) 3 organization governed by an elected Board of Directors representing member interests. It meets as necessary to review projects, budgets, and proposals.

Invasive weeds degrade rangelands, reduce water quality, increase erosion, harm wildlife habitat (including sage grouse), and raise costs for agriculture and infrastructure. The HWCWMA’s coordinated approach aims to protect the watershed’s ecological and economic health.