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. Find out more about the Conservancy's Wise on Weeds! (WOW!) program to promote awareness of invasive plant species in Vermont.

Information about non-invasive alternatives and practical management techniques is available for any gardener or homeowner, and a growing number of Vermont businesses, schools and other organizations have signed on as WOW! demonstration sites.

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?  

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. Events are scheduled throughout Vermont. 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 will be provided with the PowerPoint, handouts, and other tools to give fun and informative presentations.  Events are scheduled throughout Vermont this spring.

Inolve Your Local Road Crew:
The Nature Conservancy is teaming up with VTrans and Vermont Local Roads to offer trainings geared towards road crews and conservation commission members. Learn why invasive species are a threat to Vermont's natural resources, local economies, and human health; learn how to identify weeds in the field based on plant form and habitat; and learn how to reduce the spread of invasive plants through best management practices for road crews. This is a 4 hour Environmental Workshop under the new Vermont Local Roads Scholar Program. For more information contact Sharon Plumb at 802-229-4425 or go to http://www.vermontlocalroads.org/ to register. Fee is $10.

June 24 (Manchester); July 22 (Ferrisburgh) and August 26 (Woodstock)

If you own a nursery or greenhouse:

• Read what the Green Industry is doing nationwide to prevent the spread of invasive plants. (PDF, 222KB)
• Promote non-invasive alternatives by carrying Wise On Weeds! brochures for your clientele. (PDF, 572 KB)

If you own a business or organization:

• 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:

• Learn how to recognize, remove and replace invasive species on your property.
• 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.
• 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)