2015 EARLY DETECTION, REPORTING AND IDENTIFICATION OF INVASIVE PLANTS TRAINING SCHEDULE (WA/OR) March-April
About the Program
The Pacific Northwest Invasive Plant Council (PNW-IPC) is a non-profit conservation organization (http://www.pnw-ipc.org/) working in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, Washington Dept. of Agriculture (WSDA), Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other state and local groups on a Citizen Science EDRR (Early Detection Rapid Response) program. With funding from the National Forest Foundation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the WSDA, we are gearing up for our fourth year to search for priority and newly emerging invasive plants in our National Forests, National Parks and other public lands. We are excited to recruit new volunteers and inspire our current volunteer base to search for invasive plant populations. We have identified specific focal areas to survey for invasive on National Forests and Parks, DNR and other state land but there is a great need to document emerging invasive populations on all public lands. If you are recreating and/or working on public lands and are interested in participating in our program, you are invited to attend one of our upcoming trainings.
Citizen Science EDRR Volunteer Training
Our mission is to train citizens to identify a suite of invasive plants in a 2.5 hour free training where you will learn how to identify priority invasive species and how to record basic data regarding problematic invasive plants. Participants learn plant identification through a PowerPoint presentation, herbarium sheet specimens and live material.Participants also learn methods of manual removal and which species you should not attempt to remove. Trainings will equip volunteers with the knowledge necessary to conduct invasive plant surveys in order to support local land managers that need your help. Your efforts will directly support the maintenance of heathy ecosystems. Volunteers will receive an invasive plant identification booklet along with survey forms. We hope that volunteers who sign up will conduct 1-2 surveys over the 2015 field season.
Nine Trainings Coming Up in 2015: EDRR Citizen Science EDRR Trainings:
***Capacity will be limited in our nine upcoming trainings, so if you would like to attend one of these free trainings, please RSVP to Julie Combs at pnw.ipc.org@gmail.com (or call 615-812-5295) to reserve your place!
- Naches, WA Friday, March 27th; 1:00pm-3:30pm
Address: USFS Naches Ranger Station, 10237 U.S. Highway 12, Naches, WA 98937
Enter through the BACK door of the building. Free parking is available in the back near the back door.
Hosted by: Jodi Leingang, USFS Tapash CFLR Coordinator/Planning, Range, Invasives, Botany Staff
White Salmon, WA Saturday, March 28th; 10:00am-12:30pm
Address: White Salmon Community Library, 77 Northeast Wauna Avenue, White Salmon, WA 98672
Hosted by: Don Hardin, WA Native Plant Society’s Suksdorfia Chapter
Eatonville, WA Wednesday, April 8th; 1:00 pm-3:30pm
Address:11610 Trek Drive East, Eatonville, WA; Specific location of training will be sent to participants who sign up for the trainings.
Hosted by: NorthwestTrek Wildlife ParkGeneral location information about Northwest Trek can be found at http://www.nwtrek.org/
Bellingham, WA Wednesday, April 15nd; 1:00 pm-3:30pm
Address:Whatcom County Noxious Weed Control Board, 322 N. Commercial St., Suite 110, Bellingham WA 98225; Enter at street level at the front of the building off of Commercial St. and go to the Civic Garden Level Meeting Room. Limited free parking along south end of the building.
Hosted by: Laurel Baldwin, Whatcom Co. Noxious Weed Board and Shauna Hee USFS Botanist
Olympia, WA Wednesday, April 22nd; 1:00 pm-3:30pm
Address: Olympic National Forest Service Office, 1835 Black Lake Blvd SW, Olympia, WA
Please enter through the main entrance, which faces towards Black Lake Blvd. Enter conference room on right from main lobby of the building. Free parking available in the visitor lot in front of the main entrance, or along the northeast side of the building.
Hosted by: Will Arnesen, USFS Botanist
- Kelso, WA Thursday, April 23rd; 2:00 pm-4:30pm
Address: 207 Fourth Avenue N., Kelso, WA, 92626 Cowlitz County Administration Building, (General Meeting room, 3rd floor – Room 300) Parking is available on streets around the Administration Building (three story brick building) or in 2 lots located East and Northwest of the building. Enter the building through the north door; proceed up one floor to the meeting room.
Hosted by: Angelica Velazquez, Cowlitz County Noxious Weed Coordinator
- Vancouver, WA Wednesday, April 29nd; 1:00 pm-3:30pm
Address: Gifford Pinchot National Forest Service Office, 10600 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver, WA 98682
Please enter by the front door on the west side of the building. Sign in at the front desk. You can park in the main lot or visitor parking on the south side of the building.
Hosted by: Carol Chandler, Wildlife Biologist, Gifford Pinchot Forest Service
- Sandy, OR Wednesday, April 30th; 10:00 am-12:30pm
Address: Mt. Hood National Forest Headquarters, 16400 Champion Way, Sandy, OR 97055
Park in the visitor parking lot on the west side of the building (the building’s main entrance). Enter through the front door. Sign in at the front desk and get a visitor pass from the receptionists.
Hosted by: David Lebo, Westside Zone Botanist, Mt. Hood Botanist National Forest
- Seattle, WA [Possible training in June in partnership with King County Weed Watchers ]
***Check Website for updates on our calendar page: http://www.pnw-ipc.org/calendar.shtml***
___________________________________
Julie K. Combs, Ph.D.
PNW Invasive Plant Council
EDRR Citizen Science Program Director
University of Washington, Botanic Gardens
Box 354115
Seattle, WA 98195
(615) 812-5295