Weed Warriors

Weed Warriors: Removing Invasive Plants to Promote Native Plants and Pollinators

Logo reads "Legacy Partners in Environmental Education" with a plant seedling growing in the middle of the word Legacy.

The Arboretum received a grant from Legacy, Inc. Partners in Environmental Education for the project “Weed Warriors: Removing Invasive Plants to Benefit Native Plants and Pollinators.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions on in-person events and education programs, this program is provided as a series of video lessons on YouTube.  Educational signs have been posted near the Children’s Garden to identify areas where we are working to remove invasive plants. Hopefully this spring and summer we will see more wildflowers and pollinators return as we remove invasive plants!

How to Participate

If you are interested in learning how to identify and remove invasive plants on your property or property you help maintain, please follow these steps to participate:

  1. Before watching the videos, please register via our pre-course participant survey.
  2. View the videos in order (1, 2, 3) on our YouTube channel.  Supplementary course materials are listed below.
  3. Practice the techniques described in the lessons on your own or as a volunteer at the Arboretum (sign up information below).
  4. After watching the videos, please fill out the post- course participant survey.

Supplementary Course Materials

Websites

Brochures and guides

Articles and books

Volunteer Opportunities

People in wooded area pulling up invasive plants.

Learn to identify and remove invasive Chinese privet and English ivy using hand tools and herbicide.  All ability levels welcome, training provided as needed.

Volunteers will be working outdoors and should prepare for seasonal weather, insects, and poison ivy.  Closed toed shoes and long pants required.  You must bring your own water and snacks.  You may also want to bring a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Masks required when social distancing cannot be maintained.  Please email or call (205-310-0995) for directions and specific instructions prior to your arrival.

Sign up via GivePulse. You can also sign up by sending a message to arbor@ua.edu, however sign up via GivePulse/BamaPulse is preferred.