Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Technical Manual

A truck drives by a stretch of native vegetation in a roadside.

 

About This Manual

The objective of this publication is to provide basic technical support for new and existing Iowa county roadside programs. The manual is also intended to provide guidance to policymakers and engineers interested in adopting or expanding integrated vegetation management in county right-of-way.

Producing a manual that accurately describes the various aspects of integrated roadside vegetation management is best accomplished through a collaborative, integrated effort. Many of Iowa’s current roadside practitioners provided valuable assistance to the manual’s editorial team. Their expertise was instrumental to the creation of the manual and greatly appreciated.

Funding for this manual was provided by the Iowa DOT’s Living Roadway Trust Fund.

The first three chapters (Introduction, Steps to Start a Roadside Vegetation Program, and Communications), have been reviewed and updated by a technical review committee (see below) in 2024. The committee is continuing to review and update the remaining chapters. UNI graduate assistant Sean Thompson is entering and formatting the material on the website. Contact Kristine Nemec with any questions or suggestions regarding the manual: kristine.nemec@uni.edu or 319-273-2813.

Written By

Kristine Nemec
Roadside Program Manager, Iowa Roadside Management

Josh Brandt
Executive Director, Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board

Kirk Henderson
Former Roadside Program Manager, Iowa Roadside Management

Jim Uthe
Roadside Manager, Dallas County

Editorial Assistant

Sean Thompson
Graduate Assistant, Tallgrass Prairie Center

Technical Review

Tanner Bouchard
Roadside Vegetation Manager and Weed Commissioner, Dickinson County

Wes Gibbs
Roadside Manager & Weed Commissioner, Jones County

‌Mike Heller
Lead Environmental Scientist, Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC

Chris Henze
Roadside Vegetation Manager and Weed Commissioner, Johnson County

Megan Huck
Vegetation Management Specialist, Linn County

Joe Kooiker
Roadside Biologist and Weed Commissioner

Kolten Kudart
Roadside Manager, Poweshiek County

Jim Uthe

Tara Van Waus
Living Roadway Trust Fund Coordinator/State IRVM Program Coordinator, Iowa DOT