Jug  Bay  Wetlands  Sanctuary 

Adopt-A-Plot
Controlling Non-native Invasive Plants

Purpose

• To involve volunteers in the management of non-native invasive plants (NIPs)
• Document the presence, and absence, of NIPs throughout the Sanctuary
• Map locations of NIPs
Identify priority areas for controlling NIPs
• Develop control and removal techniques
• Monitor the recovery of native species after control measures have been taken
• Prevent the introduction of NIPs into the Sanctuary

Duties of Volunteers

• Map locations of NIPs within and near specific plots
• Identify native plants within and near plots
• Remove NIPs as required

Methods

• Sanctuary staff and volunteers will identify locations of NIPs.
• Plots will vary in size to accommodate individual volunteers, as well as small and large groups.
• Volunteers adopt a plot based on their interests and abilities.
• Volunteers are encouraged to recruit friends, families, and community groups to assist.

• At least once a year, volunteers will map the presence of both NIPs and native species within and near their plots. At least twice a year volunteers will control NIPs using manual methods, such as cutting or hand pulling.

• Volunteers will undergo training on identification and control methods at least once a year.

Resources for Volunteers

• pdf file of the field instructions
• A Word document to use to map your plot
• What to do if you find a new location of NIPs
• Map of 2007 plot locations for the Jug Bay area
• Map of 2007 plot locations for the Glendening Preserve
• Detailed maps, with Grid Marker Poles to print out: Glendening Preserve or Jug Bay area
• Join the Adopt-A-Plot Email List. This is a convenient way of communicating with other volunteers.

  Subscribe to the Jug Bay Adopt-A-Plot Email List

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Skills and Interests Required

• Concern for the impact NIPs have on native ecosystems
• Ability to hike and bend
• Ability to record data, quantitatively and qualitatively, accurately and precisely
• Willing to visit plots at least three times a year
• Volunteers demonstrate accurate plant identification of NIPs and native plants. Training and assistance will be provided
• Volunteers must demonstrate ability to control NIPs while minimizing impacts to native plants and soil.

Schedule

• Year round
• Scheduled workdays occur in early spring, early summer, and early fall
• Volunteers can schedule additional workdays
• Each workday lasts about four hours

Training

• Lecture-style orientations to introduce identification techniques
• Field training on identification of NIPs and native plants
• Field training on removal techniques
• Training will occur during scheduled workdays and upon request

Naturalist in Charge: Karyn Molines

Here are some web resources about non-native invasive plants

• Maryland Native Plant Society's Publication on control methods of common NIPs
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources Invasive Exotic Plants: A list of Invasive Exotic Plants that Threaten Native Species and Natural Habitats in Maryland That Are or May Become a Threat to Native Species and Communities
• Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group Illustrated, easy-to-read fact sheets on invasive alien plants with native ranges, plant descriptions, ecological threats, U.S. distributions & habitats, background of introductions, plant reproduction & dispersal, management approaches, alternative native plants, and other useful information.
• National Invasive Species Information Center Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask.
• Links to many other sites

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