The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Wise on Weeds! Sign © Sarah Wakefield

What's New?

Noxious Weeds quarantine rule amended! Read more

Check out www.vtinvasives.org. Learn about the Conservancy's web tools, workshops and publications on invasive plants.

Invasives Workshops for Forestry Professionals. Learn more

All About Wise on Weeds

Learn to identify and remove non-native invasive plants. Invasive species, along with climate change and habitat loss, represent the greatest threats to the diversity of life on earth.  Ecologists estimate that invasive species have contributed to the decline of 49% of imperiled or endangered species in the U.S. 

Find out why more and more Vermont horticultural professionals are signing on to PlantWise Vermont, the Voluntary Code of Conduct, to stop the sale and use of invasive, non-native plants.You can sign up today.

The impacts of invasive terrestrial plants are found throughout Vermont. Our working forests, agricultural lands, waterways, and natural areas are at risk from invasive terrestrial plants. 

The Conservancy’s Wise on Weeds! (WOW!) program promotes awareness of invasive plant species in Vermont and is committed to providing Vermonters with the tools and resources they need to control invasive species and plant native ones.  

Learn to Identify and Remove Non-native Invasive Plants!

• Learn to identify invasive terrestrial plants.  Download fact sheets and go to other web based resources that will help you identify plants that are already in Vermont and those that may be on their way.
• Download a copy of our new Community Handbook on invasive plants.
• Learn to manage invasive plants:  Figuring out where to begin can be daunting. Use these resources to  help you begin. 
• Volunteer to remove invasives at a Conservancy preserve or Wise on Weeds! demonstration Site work day.  Get outside and join hundreds of other volunteers on fun and educational work days.
• Visit or become a Wise on Weeds! Demonstration site: Do you know of a business or organization that has invasive plants in their landscaping or forests? We provide technical assistance to dozens of groups around the state.
• Plant an invasive-free garden: Did you know barberry and burning bush are invasive? The majority of invasive plants start out as innocent garden plants.  Learn how to select safe alternatives.
• Learn more about The Conservancy’s Wise on Weeds! program.
• There are many other Opportunities For Action!  Pick up the clippers, talk to a neighbor or host a weed walk.

For more information, contact vtinvasiveplants@tnc.org or (802) 229-4425 x120.

To learn more about invasive insects go to Vermont Forest Parks and Recreation http://www.vtfpr.org/protection/idfrontpage.cfm

To learn more about invasive aquatics go to Vermont Division of Water Quality http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec//waterq/lakes/htm/ans/lp_VIP.htm

Find out more from The Nature Conservancy's  Invasive Species Coordinator in Vermont, Sharon Plumb at splumb@tnc.org.