WNCA’s Public Lands Director Bob Gale identifies Japanese Stiltgrass during an invasives outing.
ASHEVILLE – The Southern Appalachian Cooperative Weed Management Partnership (SACWMP) is seeking volunteers to participate in free invasive exotic plant workshops offered on March 8, 9 and 23.
The March 8 and 9 workshops will be during National Invasive Species Awareness Week, a program that features briefings, workshops and events focused on developing solutions to address invasive species prevention, detection, monitoring, control and management at local, state, tribal, regional, national and international levels.
During the workshops, SACWMP will speak about the threats of invasive exotic plants and how to identify, inventory and remove them to protect native biodiversity along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
On March 8 and 9, volunteers will target garlic mustard, Japanese spiraea, and other weeds known to occur around Lemon Gap. On March 23, volunteers will move go to Roan Mountain to target garlic mustard.
Participants will be given free guidebooks for the identification and control of invasive exotic plants, as well as a SACWMP T-shirt in appreciation for their efforts. SACWMP will provide all equipment needed for the workshop and control projects.
Volunteers are asked to bring lunch, two quarts of water, rain gear, sturdy hiking boots or shoes, durable pants and long sleeve shirts.
Volunteers are asked to participate in one of the workshops but are encouraged to attend both days if possible.
DETAILS:
March 8 and 9
- Meet at 10 a.m. at the Lemon Gap parking area on Max Patch Road (SR 1182)
- Carpooling is available from the Westgate shopping plaza in West Asheville at 8 a.m. and returning by 6 p.m. on both days.
March 23
- Meet at 9 a.m. in the Roan Mountain State Park conference building parking area on N.C. 143.
- Carpooling is available from the Westgate shopping plaza in West Asheville at 7:30 a.m. and returning by 6 p.m.
To volunteer or for more information, contact Owen Carson at owen@equinoxenvironmental.com or at (828) 253-6856, ext. 204.
The Southern Appalachian Cooperative Weed Management Partnership (SACWMP) works cooperatively to protect and restore the significant natural heritage of the Southern Appalachians by preventing, detecting, and controlling invasive exotic plants. SACWMP includes The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Equinox Environmental Conservation and Design, Inc., National Forests in North Carolina, National Park Service, North Carolina Department of Transportation, North Carolina State Forestry Division and the Western North Carolina Alliance. Learn more at http://www.sacwmp.org/.