Weed Warriors
Non-native invasive plant species (NNIs) present one of the greatest threats to the health and biodiversity of our parklands. These unwelcome plants disrupt the ecology of natural ecosystems, displace native plants, impact native wildlife, and degrade the wonderful diverse wild lands of Montgomery County.
In 1999, Montgomery Parks Forest Ecologist Carole Bergmann created the Weed Warrior program in response to the non-native invasive plant problem. The goal of the program iis to educate citizens about identification and management of NNIs.
So far Weed Warrior volunteers have logged more than 25,000 hours to date, and have made a valuable contribution to the control of non-native invasive vegetation in Montgomery Parks. Will you join the fight? We have two ways you can help us in the weed war.
- Certified Weed Warrior Training
To become Weed Warrior Supervisor volunteers must complete a 2-part online course and participate in a 2-hour field training session with a forest ecologist. Certified Weed Warriors will then be authorized to work anywhere on Montgomery Parks, M-NCPPC property on their own schedules and at their own pace.
Interested in becoming a Certified Weed Warrior? Click here to see our current volunteer office listing.
- Special Project Weed Warrior Events
Special Project Weed Warrior Events give community members the chance to learn about and work on invasive plants in their parks, without making the commitment to become full-fledged Certified Weed Warriors. Special NNIs removal workdays take place throughout the year in parks throughout the County with supervision of a Staff specialist or a Certified Weed Warrior.
Interested in joining in a Special Project Warrior Events for a day? Click here to see our current volunteer office listings.
Last update: April 24, 2012
Montgomery County Department of Parks