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The US Fish and Wildlife Service uses the number of leaves as a phenological cue, in which development of the five-leaf stage serves as a signal to the initiation of elongation in smooth brome (Bromus inermis).� In areas where certain plant community criteria are met, conducting a prescribed burn at the onset of elongation has been shown to reduce smooth brome population.� However, leaf stage identification has presented USFWS managers with challenges, due to the variability of smooth brome development in Tallgrass Prairies of the northern Great Plains.� This project addresses the issue of variability by seeking an alternative method for developmental staging, ultimately linking growing degree days and mean stage count to identify the elongation phase of smooth brome populations throughout the region. �Sites in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota were identified and smooth brome phenological stages were determined, as well as the corresponding number of growing degree days.� The correlation between phenological stage and growing degree days allows for the identification of expected onset of elongation in the smooth brome population, regardless of leaf stage variation. �As part of the USFWS Native Prairie Adaptive Management program, results will be used to assist in management decisions regarding the timing of burning and grazing in an effort�to enhance the native plant communities where smooth brome is the dominant invader.