[MAIPC] Help Create a Comprehensive Invasive Plant Inventory on Public Lands (Mid Atlantic Region)

[HTI Gmail]

Representatives from several Mid Atlantic public land managers and the 
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (regional volunteer trail maintenance) 
are cooperating on the issue of invasive plants and their increasing 
impacts on the health of the Mid Atlantic forest. The agencies were 
represented by Jake Hughes (SNP), Mark Frey (NPS-National Capitol 
Region), Marian Orlousky (ATC-MARO), Kerrie Kyde (MD DNR), and Andrew 
Rohrbaugh (PA DCNR) while the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club was 
represented by Richard Hostelley (President) and John Hedrick (Vice 
President).

The focus of this initiative is to inventory the Mid Atlantic forest to 
determine areas which are currently in good health and should be given 
high priority for protection and other areas that are threatened by 
non-native invasive plants and whose health can be improved.

Volunteers will work directly with staff ecologists to evaluate the 
areas along established trails.  They will use smartphone applications 
that assist in identifying a list of 10 invasive plants (to be 
determined by each land manager) and recording the GPS coordinates of 
those plants.  These data will then be used to determine areas that need 
monitoring, and areas of high value habitat or are home to important 
species which can benefit from infestation control.

This is extremely important work and the agencies do not have enough 
professional staff to perform this work.  The goal is to have “trail 
monitors” for every trail on public land between Shenandoah National 
Park and Harrisburg, PA.  There will be no off trail navigation and you 
will be trained by and work directly with the staff ecologists.

We are looking for volunteers who can commit to two days a month for 
walking trails while recording the data.  In particular, we are looking 
for trained Weed Warriors, Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists and 
those with coursework or expertise in botany.  This should NOT dissuade 
motivated volunteers who are currently untrained.  Several park units 
have the resources to train people without experience.

If you live along the Appalachian Trail, Tuscarora Trail or near any of 
the US National Park properties, this is an excellent to have a direct 
impact on forest health while using the trails.  Plus you will be 
working with some of the top ecologist in the region.  This work can 
qualify for volunteer hours by participants such as Master 
Gardners/Naturalists who have volunteer hour requirements.

Assignments are available with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy 
(Mid-Atlantic Office), Pennsylvania DCNR, Maryland DNR and the following 
National Park entities:

Shenandoah National Park
Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania National Military Park
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Monocacy National Battlefield
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Rock Creek Park
Prince William Forest



If you would like to be involved in this invasive species work, please 
use this sign up form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1BENjnGG4kV3tPet6kWOXqUrSLe3KLXhFkSE07tGlkco/viewform?c=0&w=1

-- 
Regards,

Dewey Clark,
http://www.historictimekeepers.com
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