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WEED WARRIOR TRAINING FOR VOLUNTEERS IN THE POTOMAC GORGE

Have a yearning to get out and help? Want to learn more about invasive plants? If you are willing to go out a few hours each month on your own and control invasive plants in the Potomac Gorge, then this training is for you! Please note that this training is for volunteers who will commit to volunteer on the 15 miles of parkland between Great Falls and Georgetown along the Potomac River (includes the George Washington Memorial Parkway, C&O Canal National Historical Park, and Scotts and Riverbend Parks) Class size will be limited.

The Potomac Gorge is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the nation, with an incredible concentration of rare plants and rare plant communities. Non-native invasive plants are one of the biggest threats to plant diversity in this area, and you can help us control these exotic invaders.

In order to work on your own on National Park lands, we will need to ensure that you know the plants you are treating and their look-alike natives and how to best treat those plants. We also want you to be safe and have fun!

Training topics will include:

The problem invasive exotic plants pose to the unique biodiversity of the Potomac Gorge.

Identification of a dozen invasive plants that you may encounter, and how to idenitify them and tell them from their native look-alikes.

How to best control these invasives.

Navigating your site, and paperwork related to volunteering for The Nature Conservancy and National Park Service or Fairfax County Park Authority.

When you have completed the training, you will be empowered as a VIP (Volunteer in Parks) to control invasive plants on National Park and Fairfax County land between Great Falls and Georgetown. You will be assigned an area convenient for you, get a personal orientation to that site, and will be able to control plants on your own flexible schedule. In return, we ask that you fill out all necessary paperwork, work a few hours each month in the Gorge, and report back to us each time you treat plants.

Training Dates (you must be able to attend all):

Monday, May 12, 6:00-8:30 pm in Bethesda TNC offices

Sunday, May 18, 12-5pm field trip in Potomac Gorge

Monday, May 19, 6:00-8:30 in Bethesda TNC offices

To sign up, contact Mary Travaglini at (301) 897-8570 or email her at PotomacGorgeVol@tnc.org