Credits

Created by Alison Shapiro and Abby Cox, Explore Natural Communities Interns Summer 2015, NatureServe.

Special thanks to Rock Creek Park's Ana Chuquín, Division of Resource Management, National Park Service.

Music: How It Begins, by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0

Photo: Chocolate vine (Akebia quinata) infestation, by Steve Manning, Invasive Plant Control, Bugwood.org. Licensed under Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0

References:
http://www.nature.nps.gov/biology/invasivespecies/ and accompanying links

Transcript

Podcast time: 2:18 minutes

Voice 1:

Invasive species are more pervasive than ever, but there ARE ways that the National Park Service is helping to combat them and even ways that YOU can make a difference.

The National Park Service uses their own professional plant removal strategies at Rock Creek Park. They support Exotic Plant Management Teams who employ highly trained individuals with specialized knowledge and experience in invasive plant management.

Using a program called "Early Detection, Rapid Response," the Park works to locate invasive species in the early stages of invasion and quickly treats the infestation. Stopping an invasive non-native plant before it has a chance to spread out of control prevents the need for further removal, saves money, and protects natural communities at risk.

The National Park Service also partners with local communities and other public groups to prevent the introduction of invasive species and to develop management strategies, including training volunteers. Volunteers working with Rock Creek Park's permission pull up aggressive, non-native invasive plants, like English ivy, that compete with native vegetation for survival.

Ana Chuquín, Biological Science Technician in the Division of Resource Management at Rock Creek Park, emphasized the importance of citizen involvement in tackling invasives.

Ana Chuquín:

Only authorized volunteers are allowed to remove invasive species in the park. We hold several group events, and people can learn about the dates and times of when these take place via the conservancies or the park website.

Voice 1:

Help restore the natural communities in the national parks by planting native seeds in your garden, in place of non-native plants. Volunteer at your local national park to catch these invasive species before they grow out of control.  Go online and find out how YOU can become a weed warrior and identify invasive non-native plants in Rock Creek Park.

back to top