[APWG] Annual weed management contests--what prize level would generate interest?

[Craig Dremann]

Dear All,

Near Santa Cruz California. a private land owner, Michael Shaw, has  
been able to control every single weed, that covered the area 99%,   
on 3.2 million square feet (32 hectares), and replaced all those  
weeds with a 99% cover of over 100 species of local native plants,  
which grew from seeds that were dormant in the soil, underneath the  
weeds.  You can view a list of the weeds and the natives at http:// 
www.ecoseeds.com/shawlist.html

I believe that weed management around the USA and in other  
countries,  would benefit greatly by annual weed contests with  
substantial prizes--like a prize for whomever could convert a 50 acre  
(20 hectares) weed patch, back to a 99% stable local native plant  
cover without future maintenance--which should be the ultimate goal  
for any non-riparian wild land weed management any way?

I imagine this contest like the golf PGA tour, with a substantial  
prize at each site offered by a sponsor.

I have one vote so far, that a $25,000 prize would be adequate for a  
contest here in California for a grassland/oak woodland habitat, and  
I would be very interested in getting more votes, so that I can  
approach potential sponsors.

So what prize amount would get every person on this mail list  
interested in entering such a contest?

Sincerely,  Craig Dremann (650) 325-7333 Box 609, Redwood City, CA 94064