2016 CITIZEN SCIENCE EARLY DETECTION, REPORTING AND IDENTIFICATION OF INVASIVE PLANTS WORKSHOPS

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 National Forests and Parks, Washington Dept. of Agriculture (WSDA), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), county noxious weed programs, and other local groups on a Citizen Science EDRR (Early Detection Rapid Response) program. With funding from the National Forest Foundation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the WSDA and others we are gearing up for our fifth 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 plants 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 and/or would like to learn more about invasive plants 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, how to record basic data and how to report findings on EDDMapSWest, a national early detection reporting system.  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. Training sessions 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 healthy ecosystems. Volunteers will receive an invasive plant identification booklet along with survey forms. We ask that volunteers who sign up conduct 1-2 surveys over the field season.

 

9 Workshops in 2016***Capacity will be limited , so if you would like to attend one of these free trainings, please RSVP to Julie Combs at pnw.ipc.org@gmail.com to reserve your place! Participants may receive WDSA or ODA pesticide license re-certification credits (2 credits)

 

  1. Cle Elum, WA    Wednesday, April 6th, 1:00pm-3:30pm

Address: Cle Elum Ranger District, Tom Craven Conference Room, 803 W 2nd St., Cle Elum, WA 98922; Enter at the rear parking lot behind the main Forest Service building on Douglas Monro Blvd. (rt. 4517) and head towards the large gravel parking lot on the left.  The Tom Craven Conference room entrance is located on the north end of the parking lot. Hosted by: Marc Eylar, Kittitas Co. Noxious Weed Board and Helen Lau USFS Botanist

  1. Port Angeles, WA    Thursday, April 7, 2016; 1:00pm – 3:30pm     

Address: Port Angeles Public Library, 2210 South Peabody Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362; Enter from the parking lot on the south side of the building and go to the Carver Room. There is ample free parking south of the building. Hosted by: Janet Coles, Olympic National Park, Vegetation Branch Chief and Cathy Lucero, Clallam Co. Noxious Weed Control Program

  1. Tacoma, WA       Wednesday, April 13th; 1:00pm-3:30pm

Address: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler Street, Tacoma WA 98405 Located at the intersection of S. Tyler Street and 19th Street; entrance into the parking lot is on Tyler Street across from Foss High School.  Parking is limited, we encourage carpooling. Please enter the Center at the main front entrance; you will find the Auditorium on the lobby level, to the right, next to the restrooms.  Hosted by: Deborah Ringler, Pierce Co. Noxious Weed Board / Bill Brookreson, WNPS South Sound Chapter

  1. Olympia, WA      Thursday, April 14th; 1:00 pm-3:30pm

Address: LOTT Clean Water Alliance Center; 500 Adams Street NE, Olympia, WA; Specific location of training will be sent to participants who sign up for the trainings. Free is limited but ample street meter parking is available. General location information can be found at http://www.lottcleanwater.org/directions.htm Hosted by: Will Arnesen, Olympic National Forest Service Botanist and Bill Wamsley, Lewis Co.Noxious Weed Control Program

  1. Bellingham, WA     Thursday, April  21st; 1:00 pm-3:30pm

Address: Whatcom County Noxious Weed Control Board, 322 N. Commercial St., Suite 110, Bellingham WA  98225. The training will be held in the Civic Center Garden Level Meeting Room located at street level on the corner of Commercial & Lottie Streets across from the Bellingham Library & City Hall.  There is street side metered parking but free parking space may be available two blocks away, across from the Bellingham Senior Center at Halleck & New Streets. Park in any spaces NOT labeled “Senior Center Parking.” Hosted by: Laurel Baldwin, Whatcom Co. Noxious Weed Board and Jonathane Schmitt USFS

  1. Sandy, OR      Wednesday, April 27th; 1:00pm-3:30pm

Address: Sandy Community Center, 38348 Pioneer Blvd, Sandy, OR 97055

Entering Sandy from the west on Highway 26, proceed east (past the Mt. Hood National Forest Headquarters on your right) through the first three stoplights/intersections (past the Safeway on your left) to the 4th stoplight (Bluff Road).  The community center is 100-150 ft. past the light on the right (across from Walgreen’s Pharmacy). Auditorium is on the second floor. Parking is available along the side and at the back of the building. Hosted by: David Lebo, Westside Zone Botanist, Mt. Hood National Forest; Sam Leininger, Clackamas County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Columbia Gorge CWMA

  1. Vancouver, WA      Thursday, April 28th; 9:30am-12:00pm

Address:  Fort Vancouver, Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E 5th Street, Vancouver, WA 98661. Access is through the Air Museum, in the Tex Rankin room. Hosted by: Carol Chandler, Wildlife Biologist, Gifford Pinchot National Forest; Emily Stevenson, Skamania Noxious Weed Board, Columbia Gorge CWMA

  1. 8. Naches, WA   Thursday, May 12th; 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

  1. Seattle, WA          Monday, May 16th, 12:30pm-3:00pm 

Address: Center for Urban Horticulture, UW Botanic Gardens in the Douglas Research Conservatory, 3501 NE 41st St., Seattle, 98105. Parking is free in the E16 parking lot just outside the Douglas Research Conservatory. Light snacks will be provided but please bring a sack lunch if you like. Hosted by: Sasha Shaw, King County Noxious Weed Control Program; Jonathane Schmitt USFS and Katie Woolsey Department of Natural Resources. This is a joint training for the Upper Snoqualmie/Alpine Lakes Wilderness Weed Watchers and the PNW IPC EDRR program.