Certified Weed Warriors
Certified Weed Warrior Training
Registration
Contact Us
The Department of Parks has trained more than 700 citizen volunteers to be Certified Weed Warriors. These energetic volunteers assist park staff on a regular basis in monitoring and removing non-native invasive plant species (NNIs) from parkland.
To become a Certified Weed Warrior, you must participate in a 2-hour field training class with a forest ecologist and complete a 2-part online course. The training emphasizes invasive plant plant identification, removal and control techniques, and working safely in the woods. Weed Warriors are then authorized to work on M-NCPPC parklands on their own schedules and at their own pace.
Who are Certified Weed Warriors?
Many Certified Weed Warriors live near one of our parks and do their volunteer work on a casual schedule. Others develop specific work programs, taking time each week or two to remove invasive plants—sometimes in the company of another Weed Warrior. Others choose to work with larger groups, such as those organized by community groups with permission from the parks department. Whether you work individually or with a group, you will contribute to the control of non-native invasive vegetation throughout the approximately 34,000 acres of county parkland.
If you are interested, and want to take the next step to becoming a Certified Weed Warrior you must register for one of the field training sessions listed below. . 
Certified Weed Warrior Training
Certified Weed Warrior training includes a 2-hour field training class with our forest ecologist and a 2-part online course. After you register for the field training class, you will the be given information needed to access the online training modules
Field Training Classes
Certified Weed Warrior field training classes run from April through October. The training sessions are open to anyone who would like to learn more about non-native invasive plants. This training complements the online training modules and is geared toward those who intend to become Certified Weed Warrior Volunteers. Topics covered during field training sessions include:
- Identification of non-native invasive plants found in park natural areas
- Removal and control techniques suitable for park lands
- How to stay safe in the woods
- Procedures for becoming a Weed Warrior
- Weed Warrior responsibilities & allowed activities
Training Dates
Training classes have finished for the 2011 season. The 2012 training classes will be listed here after the start of the year. For any additional information please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.
Field training classes are usually held from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Meadowside Nature Center in Rock Creek Regional Park - 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20855. NOTE: You must be at least 16 years old on the day of the field training to become a Certified Weed Warrior.
Registration
To register for Weed Warrior training, please complete the Online Training Registration form with our Volunteer Office.
Registration for a field training class is required to be able to access to the online training modules. Classes are limited to 20, so we need to know in advance if you plan to attend and how to contact you in case training is cancelled. If you have any questions about the registration process, lease don't hesitate to contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Paul Carlson.
Contact Us
For more information and to register for training, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.
Paul Carlson, Weed Warrior Volunteer Coordinator
Phone: 301-962-1343
Email
: mcp-weedwarriors@mncppc-mc.org
back to top - Last update: November 1, 2011
Montgomery County Department of Parks