West Virginia Cooperative Weed and Pest Management Areas

04/16/2024

Did you know our rivers are a vital part of our ecosystem 💦? Join the New River Conservancy on Sunday, April 28 for a cleanup along the New River.

Send a message to learn more

03/22/2024

HOW ARE NON-NATIVE PLANTS INTRODUCED❓ - Non-native plants have been introduced for erosion control, horticulture, forage crops, medicinal use, and wildlife foods. They have also been introduced simply by accident. Most of these species never stray far from where they are introduced (gardens, urban areas, agricultural fields), yet some become very invasive and displace native plants in woodlands, wetlands, and other natural areas. These non-native invasive species are one of the greatest threats to natural ecosystems of WV.

📸 Forest Service employees and AmeriCorps coordinated a garlic mustard pull at Seneca Rocks Discovery Center, Monongahela National Forest. (USDA Forest Service photo by Kelly Bridges)

03/20/2024

DID YOU KNOW❓ - Of the approximately 2,500 species of plants known to occur in the wild in West Virginia, about 72% are native or occurred in WV before the time of substantial European settlement. The other 28%, over 700 species, are not native to WV, having been introduced from other states or countries.

📸 Garlic mustard, a non-native invasive plant, blooming near Seneca Rocks Discovery Center, Monongahela National Forest. (USDA Forest Service photo by Kelly Bridges)

11/28/2023

Job alert!! New River Gorge National Park & Preserve will be hiring TWO GS-06 seasonal Biological Science Technicians for the 2024 field season. The selected candidates will assist the park on a wide variety of ongoing projects and serve approximately from APRIL/MAY 2024 to SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024.

One technician will work primarily with the aquatic resources team, while the other will work primarily with the forest health and vegetation team. However, both technicians will have opportunities to participate in any number of the following projects: water quality monitoring, the nationwide dragonfly mercury project, hydrological issue mapping, aquatic species monitoring, assisting with university research projects, invasive plant and pest treatments, abandoned mineland restoration, Virginia spiraea recovery work, rare vegetation community monitoring, Allegheny woodrat monitoring, bat acoustic monitoring and/or mist-netting, bird point count surveys and/or banding, floodlight moth surveys, park interpretation and educational programs, and trail maintenance.

Potential applicants can access the full job posting here: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/760848200 . The announcement will be open continuously through May 2024, but the first batch of applicants will be pulled on December 8th, 2023.

This is an open continuous vacancy announcement; applicants will be referred periodically throughout the announcement period. Final application disposition will be completed once all positions have been filled, the announcement reaches the closing date stated in the announcement. The first cut-off d...

10/10/2023

Here is some information about Mile-a-Minute, or Persicaria perfoliata. Make sure to look out for this invasive vine that can grow up to 6 inches a day!

Sources:
“Mile-a-Minute.” New York Invasive Species Information, 9 July 2019, nyis.info/invasive_species/mile-a-minute/ .

Ponak, Kristen. “Species Identification: Mile-a-Minute Vine.” Mileaminute Vine, 14 Feb. 2015, mam.uconn.edu/species-identification/.

08/07/2023

Anyone know what this is? This is Japanese Knotweed, also known Reynoutria japonica. Originally brought to the North America as an ornamental plant, it quickly spread and began outcompeting other native shrub and tree species. It can also be troublesome to buildings and masonry, as it has been known to grow into cracks of buildings.

08/07/2023

Have you been seeing beautiful pink and purple flowers recently? What you’re looking at is Calopogon tuberosus, commonly called Grass Pink.

Grass Pink is found in meadows and swamps/bogs and bloom in early summer, it’s bright magenta pink is also very beautiful. Photo Credits: Nicole Schwarz, botany technician on Monongahela National Forest.

08/07/2023

This past week some of USFS and YCC team members took a trip to Cranberry Glades to remove some Multiflora Rose (Rosa Multiflora) and some other invasive species like Morrows Honeysuckle and Crown Vetch.

Multiflora Rose is originally from Eastern Asia and was introduced to North America in the 1860’s as a rootstock for rose cultivators. Unfortunately, this invasive can out compete native shrubs and can harm sensitive ecosystems.

08/07/2023

Happy Field Season! We are back! Have you been noticing pesky Garlic Mustard on the side of the road recently?

Thursday and Friday last week some Marlinton Ranger District employees and AmeriCorps Member decided to take the day and pull a large portion of garlic mustard and autumn olive from some of the land around the office.

Garlic Mustard can be problematic because it shades and out competes with native plant species in forest understory. Many species rely on these understory native plants, so pulling garlic mustard can make a big difference. All in a good days work! And this is just one of the bushels that was taken out. Check out the before and after photos.

02/09/2023

The National Park Service at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is hiring TWO summer field team members for 2023 through the American Conservation Experience (ACE)! These positions are expected to last 22 weeks, early May through early October.

One ACE member will focus on the park's aquatic resources, including water quality monitoring, collection of dragonfly nymphs for mercury analysis, and occasional opportunities to assist with collection of benthic macroinvertebrates and fish. The other ACE member will focus on forest health and restoration, including invasive plant control, forest pest control, restoration of globally rare plant species and communities, and rare plant monitoring.

Application review is ongoing, so apply soon! Links to position descriptions and more details can be found here:

See current career opportunities that are available at American Conservation Experience - EPIC

03/05/2022

Today’s invasive species highlight is a plant that many of you may recognize: the yellow flag iris. Introduced to the United States from the Mediterranean as an ornamental garden species, this eye-catching yellow iris is now found in almost every state. This flower is a perennial species, meaning that the bulb you plant will continue to bloom every year. It also expands very rapidly through seeds and rhizomes, a subterranean stem that will develop its own roots, stem, and flowers.
While these flowers look stunning in gardens, they can easily escape your boundaries. When this happens, yellow flag likes to form thick clusters alongside wetland environments, choking out native plant species and reducing habitat for aquatic species. Removal of the plant becomes increasingly difficult the larger it gets due to its extensive root systems, and it will continue to regrow from any rhizomes left behind after removal and spread again. It is also poisonous to humans and livestock when consumed and will cause skin irritation when touched.

As you plan your garden, consider the impacts introduced plants could have on the environment if they spread. Planting native species is one way to help restore the environment by supporting native pollinator populations and increasing biodiversity. Over time your native plants will increase pollinators, which will increase bird species and other animals in your yard. In addition to having beautiful and lower maintenance plants, you will be able to observe nature from your yard. Instead of yellow flag iris, this year consider using this online tool to find unique and colorful plants native to your region that also help native pollinators! (https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder)


Photo Description: Yellow Flag Iris

Photo Credit: iNaturalist