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.

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. 

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 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.
• Manage invasive plants: Figuring out where to begin can be daunting. Use these resources to help you begin.
• Download a copy of our new Community Handbookon invasive plants.
• 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.
• 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 Rose Paul at rpaul@tnc.org (802) 229-4425 x108

Visit the Vermont Forest Parks and Recreation to learn more about invasive insects.
Visit the Vermont Division of Water Quality to learn more about invasive aquatics.