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Anyone can be Wise on Weeds! Just follow the 3R's of invasive plants: |
After habitat destruction, invasive species are the second greatest threat to global biodiversity. Nature Conservancy staff and volunteers travel every year to the far reaches of our state, controlling and preventing infestations of invasive plants in nature preserves and wild areas.
Without the help of more Vermonters, invasive plants will continue to persist and spread around the state. The Conservancy's Wise on Weeds! (WOW!) program helps to promote awareness of invasive plant species in Vermont.
The Conservancy is working in cooperation with two important groups in Vermont, the Champlain Basin Invasive Plant Partnership which has a focus on land management, and the Vermont Invasive Exotic Plant Committee which provides coordination and guidance on invasive exotic plant issues. Both groups include state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, and horticulture professionals.
Want to learn or do more?
Read the latest Invasives Monthly Update.
Collect Data on Invasives
Wanted: Reports of private and public lands invaded by Japanese and Common barberry, Burning Bush and Norway Maple.
Japanese barberry, Burning bush and Norway maple are invasive species that are illegal to purchase in several New England states, but are still sold by the hundreds from Vermont Nurseries. The Vermont Invasive Exotic Plant Committee (VIEPC) is conducting research to support the addition of these species to the Vermont Quarantine Rule. As part of its research, the committee seeks documented sightings of naturalized burning bush, barberry, and Norway Maple on private and/or public lands. If any of these plants have escaped cultivation on your property, or are on a property that you know about, please document their presence using this form. If you are reporting on private land, seek landowner permission before submitting the form. The form takes only 5 minutes to fill out. Please submit data sheets to splumb@tnc.org or Sharon Plumb, The Nature Conservancy, 27 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602.
Get Wise on Weeds!:
Learn how to identify invasive species, how they spread and why they are a threat to biodiversity. Wise on Weeds! is hosting a number of public workshops this year. We are also partnering with groups such as VT Coverts, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, and the Vermont Land Trust to offer trainings to their staff and members. If you are interested in setting up a public workshop in your area, or would like to host a workshop geared towards a particular interest group, please contact us at splumb@tnc.org or 802.229.4425 x120.
Become a Wise-On-Weeds Volunteer Presenter:
Are you interested in protecting biodiversity and like talking to people? Learn how to give our Wise on Weeds! presentation to the general public. Participants are provided with the PowerPoint, handouts, and other tools to give fun and informative presentations. Check back for future trainings.
If you own a nursery or greenhouse:
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Read what the Green Industry is doing nationwide to prevent the spread of invasive plants. (PDF, 222KB)
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Promote non-invasive alternatives by carrying Wise On Weeds! brochures for your clientele. (PDF, 572 KB)
If you own a business or organization:
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Highlight your business as “invasive-aware” by enrolling as a WOW! demonstration site. Conservancy staff will help businesses identifying any invasives on their property and suggesting non-invasive alternatives. For more information, download the demonstration site brochure. (PDF, 101 KB)
If you have a backyard or garden:
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Learn how to recognize, remove and replace invasive species on your property.
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Contact Sharon Plumb at vtinvasiveplants@tnc.org to arrange a presentation on invasives for your local garden club, town conservation commission, or other interested group.
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Check out these other websites on invasive plants.
o ipane.org (Invasive Plant Atlas of New England)
o tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs.html (the Conservancy's global invasive species initiative)
o nature.org/initiatives/invasivespecies (information on preventing the spread of invasives)
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