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 volunteer program in response to the non-native invasive plant problem. The goal of the program is to educate citizens about identification and management of NNIs.
So far Weed Warrior volunteers have logged more than 57,000 hours 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 win the weed war.
Certified Weed Warriors
- Training
To become Certified Weed Warrior volunteers, 16 and older, must complete a 2-part online course, participate in a 2-hour field training session with a forest ecologist, and participate in a supervised workday with park staff. Supervised workdays are held the first Saturday of the month for two hours. Start time and location vary. 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. - Existing Weed Warriors
Remember to log your volunteer hours and update your contact information.
Interested in becoming a Certified Weed Warrior? Click here to see our current volunteer office listing.
Special Project Weed Warriors
- Special Project Weed Warriors 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. Open 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. - Garlic Mustard Month Results
Weed Warriors made a difference! With the average volunteer pulling over 20 pounds of garlic mustard an hour, over 18,000 pounds of garlic mustard was removed from parkland.
This Week in the Woods
- June 17 - Mimosa, Albizia julibrissin, has started to bloom - look for the pink shaving brush-like blooms.
- June 13 - Was that raspberry ripening in Sligo Creek?
- June 6 - It is all about the Penstemmon digitalis this week, look for it in your favorite sunny meadows.
- May 28 - The native maple-leaved viburnum, Viburnum acerfolium, stands out in the forest understory this week with delicate white blooms.
- May 20 -The mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia, is starting to bloom. The tight pink buds open to beautiful white and pink blooms - striking against the dark green foliage.
Thank you to all of our volunteers!
43 volunteers have taken our training this spring. Come join us for the next class on June 26th.
Last update: June 17, 2013
Montgomery County Department of Parks