Invasive Plant Removal Training

Join the Willowsford Conservancy, in partnership with Wetlands Studies and Solutions, Inc (WSSI) and the Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance (LIRA) for an invasive plant removal training. Experts from WSSI, a local environmental consultancy with expertise on invasive plant removal, will lead the training showing you how to tackle Tree of Heaven with the hack and squirt method. While this technique most typically is used from June to September, we have heard of several communities having success well into October. The training will also include lopping various invasive vines that are suffocating native trees in the area. Finally, we will hand pull invasive plants like stiltgrass and others.

Who can Attend?

Open to all ages, but recommended for 10 and older. Only 18+ volunteers can work with herbicides. Younger volunteers can work with parents or guardians on lopping or hand pulling. This event is open to Willowsford residents and the general public.

All participants must sign our volunteer waiver which can be electronically signed here or completed on site. For attendees under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign it.

LOCATION:
We’ll be meeting at the Swart Family Homestead Park located across from 40992 Blossom Glade Drive, Aldie, VA 20105. We will have signage to help direct you. Please park on Blossom Glade Drive or surrounding streets. After a brief training, we will head into the woods behind the park on Conservancy Open Space.

WHAT TO BRING:
Hand pruners, loppers, and hatchets if you have them (but not required). Bring a water bottle and work gloves. If you come just to observe, the equipment is not necessary.

WHAT TO WEAR:
Dress for the weather. Wear closed-toe shoes, long sleeves and long pants since we will be in naturalized open space. Consider wearing a hat and bringing gloves and safety glasses, if you have them.

NOTE: Some of the participants will be working with herbicides. Personal protective equipment (safety glasses and nitrile gloves) will be provided.

WHY PARTICIPATE?

• Learn how to identify various invasive plants
• Learn about how to chemically treat Tree of Heaven (especially how to do so effectively late in the season)
• Practice hand pulling stiltgrass and other plants or lopping invasive vines, among many others which we will ID during the training
• A great way for high school students or scouts to get volunteer hours

RSVP below for this FREE event

If you have any questions, please contact Sophie Lambert with Willowsford Conservancy at slambert@willowsfordconservancy.org