[MAIPC] Hello! from MAIPC Board Member Jil Swearingen

[Jil Swearingen]

 Dear MAIPC Members,

Per the assignment to board members to send an introductory email to the
MAIPC list-serve describing themselves, here's my message.

My Position on the MAIPC Board.
Although I live in Maryland, I'm currently filling one of two slots for the
state of Delaware because there was a vacancy and the MD slots were filled.
I've been involved with MAIPC since 1999 when I initiated meetings to
establish the organization. I've been Vice President, President, and Board
member since its inception.

My Background.
I earned a M.S. degree in Biology from George Mason University in Fairfax
Virginia (1988) where I studied botany, entomology, evolution and ecology.
I conducted field and lab research into ant-mediated dispersal of the seeds
of spring ephemeral wildflowers such as twinleaf, bloodroot, wild ginger,
common blue violet, and Dutchman's breeches.

My Gateway Invader. In 1990, while working for the Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery County Parks, I was
initiated into the world of exotic (later "invasive") plants after
witnessing the devastating impact of lesser celandine/fig buttercup (*Ficaria
verna*) in Rock Creek Park which was a short walk from my office. Fig
buttercup is a spring-flowering ephemeral perennial plant native to Europe
and Asia. It was introduced as an ornamental plant many decades ago and
spread into wild areas from residential landscapes. It's still sold and
promoted by the horticulture industry.

Because I was familiar with our native spring ephemerals and completely
enamored with them, I quickly grasped the seriousness of this exotic
plant's ecological threat. Where there was *Ficaria*, there was almost
nothing else. This epiphany inspired and energized me to take action.
Despite some push-back from management, I started an Exotic Plant Working
Group, developed a list of invasive plants for the county parks, wrote fact
sheets on the worst species, and initiated a 'Weed Busters' volunteer
program to enlist the public's help in controlling these plants.

My best supporters were garden club members who wanted to learn about these
'bad' plants and do something to help. They were key to my first Weed
Buster project - cutting of a major infestation of kudzu at Brookside
Gardens in Wheaton MD, on Columbus Day 1993. BG staff followed up with
herbicide (glyphosate) treatment of the rooted portions of kudzu. Our
efforts made a huge difference that has inspired me throughout my career.
In April 1995, I accepted a position as Regional Integrated Pest Management
Coordinator with the National Park Service in Washington, D.C., where I was
able to continue pursuing my passion to work on invasive species. I retired
from NPS in April 2017 and now work as an Invasive Species Consultant.

So, what is your "gateway" invasive species?

Thank you,

Jil

.......................
Jil Swearingen
Invasive Species Consultant
*In the Weeds*
​Cheverly, Maryland​
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