From Garlic Mustard to Japanese Stiltgrass: Non-Native Invasive ID and Control
Date/Time
Thursday, March 14, 2019
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Contact
potowmack@vnps.org
Categories
Please join us for a talk by Patrick Whitehouse, an ecologist for the Resource Management Division for the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) who will discuss non-native plant identification and control, as well as information on the Invasive Management Program at Fairfax County Park Authority. Patrick has worked for the FCPA for 5 years, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Forest Management from West Virginia University.
Invasive plants are non-native species that degrade our natural ecosystems. They can tolerate a wide range of habitats, generate many offspring, mature quickly and spread. They out-compete native species, reducing or eliminating them. This can lead to fewer native birds and wildlife. Habitat restoration such as the Invasive Management Area (IMA) project can support the success of native plant species.
The IMA Project began in 2006 and now manages more than 35 acres in Fairfax County. The Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) program is another county effort that finds new invasive species through surveys, then eradicates them before they cause harm. This data on invasive species is tracked across the county. The Fairfax County Parks Authority offers many resources about invasive plants to the public for download including:
“Invasive Forest Plants” Brochure [download]
“Non-Native Invasive ID and Control” Guide [download]
VNPS programs are free and open to the public.
No reservations are necessary for lectures.