WSWS Objectives
- To foster and encourage education and research in weed science.
- To foster cooperation among state, federal and private agencies in matters of weed science.
- To aid and support commercial, private and public agencies in the solution of weed problems.
- To support legislation governing weed control programs and weed research and education programs.
- To support the Weed Science Society of America and foster state and regional organizations and agencies interested in weed control.
WSWS History
View WSWS History Poster (.PDF file; 214 KB)
The Western Society of Weed Science (WSWS) was originally established as the Western Weed Control Conference (WWCC) and had its first annual meeting in Denver in 1938.
The Conference had first been suggested by Harry L. Spence, Extension Agronomist from Idaho, at the regular meeting of the Western Plant Quarantine Board, which had been meeting regularly since 1919. He recognized the need to coordinate efforts in weed management among the various states and agencies and “to interchange suggestions in regards to our many weed problems.”
The WWCC continued annually, except for 1943, until 1950. In 1950 the decision was made to meet every two years on even-numbered years. The Research Section met on the odd-numbered years. In 1963 the meeting was changed to odd-numbered years to alternate with the Weed Science Society of America which met on even-numbered years.
In 1967 the Conference was changed back to an annual affair and in 1968 the Society name was changed to the Western Society of Weed Science.