Certified Weed Warriors 
The Montgomery County Department of Parks has trained more than 500 citizen volunteers to be Certified Weed Warriors. They assist park staff on a regular basis in monitoring and removing non-native invasive plant species (NNIs) from Montgomery County parkland.
Become a Weed Warrior!
To become a Certified Weed Warrior, you must complete a two-part online course and participate in a two-hour field training session with the forest ecologist.
The training stresses proper identification of invasive plants, correct removal and control techniques, and working safely in the woods. Weed Warriors are then authorized to work on M-NCPPC parkland on their own schedules and at their own pace.
Many current Weed Warriors live near one of our parks and do their volunteer work on a casual schedule. Others develop specific work programs, taking time each week or two to remove invasive plants—sometimes in the company of another Weed Warrior. Still others choose to work with larger groups, such as those organized by community groups with permission from the parks department.
Whether you work individually or with a group, you will contribute to the control of non-native invasive vegetation throughout the approximately 34,000 acres of county parkland.
If you are interested, and want to take the next step to becoming a Certified Weed Warrior we welcome you to register for the online and field training sessions listed below.
NOTE: While training is geared toward those wishing to become Certified Weed Warriors, sessions are open to anyone who would like to learn about NNIs, and what can be done about them.
Register to be a Weed Warrior by contacting our Volunteer Coordinator at 301-942-4709 or sign up by e-mail.
Field Training Classes for 2008
Field training sessions are geared toward those who intend to become Certified Weed Warrior Volunteers (and have completed the required online training modules*), but they are open to anyone who would like to learn more about non-native invasive plants.
Schedule
- Field Training Dates for 2009 will be posted by early January. These will include one training session at an up-county location in addition to the regular monthly training sessions at Wheaton Regional Park.
Hours and location
Field training classes are held in Wheaton from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at:
M-NCPPC Park Headquarters
Natural Resource Stewardship Offices
2000 Shorefield Rd., Wheaton, MD 20902
Wheaton Regional Park map (pdf)
Topics covered
Topics covered during field training sessions include:
- Identification of non-native invasive plants found in park natural areas
- Removal and control techniques suitable for park lands
- How to stay safe in the woods
- Procedures for becoming a Weed Warrior
- Weed Warrior responsibilities & allowed activities
NOTE: Pre-registration is required to gain access to the online training modules.To register, please call our Volunteer Coordinator at 301-942-4709, or contact us by e-mail. Classes are limited to 20, so we need to know in advance if you plan to attend and how to contact you in case training is cancelled.
Last update: November 14, 2008
