Invasive Species Infestations
In Virginia's Parks and Natural Areas
With the permission of the landowner, you can host an event and post it on our website by visiting www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/invasives to enter in information about the location, time, volunteer needs, and target species. Your event will be on the Invasive Plant Removal Day Web site and publicized statewide. Volunteers will contact your event organizer to register.
In 2009, local organizations posted 41 invasive plant removal events across Virginia. More than 400 volunteers, including Master Naturalists, scouting and other youth groups, neighborhood associations, and other community volunteers, came to assist with the efforts. Together, they contributed more than 1300 hours of service and removed more than 250 bags of invasive plants. Their service plus addition in-kind donations are valued at more than $27,000. Although the number of sites participating in 2010 were fewer in number, the numbers of volunteers and accomplishments were equally impressive.
Invasive species are non-native species that cause ecological or economic harm. They are widely recognized as a costly and leading threat to healthy ecosystems. They out-compete native species for the same resources, eventually harming trees, wildlife, and water quality. Invasive plants have taken a firm foothold in many parts of the state and everyone's help is needed to reclaim our natural areas. The Virginia Invasive Plant Removal Day is an opportunity to engage our citizenry in these efforts.