By Elise Neuscheler, Stewardship Manager
Last week, FOLAR hosted its first annual Invasive Plant Management Training at the Appomattox River Center. Presented by Elise Neuscheler and Heather Barrar, the four-hour course covers plant identification, methods of invasive plant removal, safety in the field, and conscientious use of herbicide. There is a lot to cover when it comes to invasive plant removal! With this training, FOLAR equips our localities, the landscape industry, forestry professionals, and the public to take on removal projects in their work and private spaces.
Elise and Heather presenting on plant identification.
“I hope participants can leave this training feeling empowered. Invasive plants can be overwhelming, for land management professionals and individuals gardening at home. Attendees walk away with practical understanding of holistic and long-term approaches to their outdoor projects – for the benefit of the entire community, flora and fauna included!” -Elise Neuscheler, FOLAR Environmental Stewardship Manager
FOLAR developed this training under a Virginia Department of Forestry grant, taking it on the road to locality staff and regional partners in 2024. Positive feedback from these sessions led to this new annual training hosted at the Appomattox River Center in Petersburg. Now, trainees can get Continuing Education Unit (CEU) for the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional certification and earn their recertification or VDACS’ Forestry, Right-Of-Way, and Registered Technician pesticide applicator certifications.
“Obtaining CEU’s often requires travel and financial commitment,” explains Heather Barrar, Regional Planning Director. “By providing CEU’s at no cost, FOLAR is expanding access to professional development for private and public land managers, as well as educating homeowners and volunteers.”
Elise and FOLAR Board Chair Dr. Susan Watson take out an invasive Tree of Heaven at the Appomattox River Center.
FOLAR’s Executive Director, Jackson Bartlett, says that by offering VDACS certification, FOLAR gets everybody on the same page with invasive plant management, contributing to a shared culture of environmental stewardship in the state and region. “The people who come to this training are diverse. We have locality staff, industry, neighbors, and volunteers all coming together with the shared goal of protecting local ecology.”
FOLAR’s next training will be held March 25, in time for people to obtain or renew their VDACS certification before the June deadline. All are welcome. Those seeking certification can get their required fieldwork completed by participating in one of FOLAR’s volunteer stewardship events, including Stewardship Saturdays. If you would like to subscribe to FOLAR’s Invasive Plant Management Training newsletter for occasional updates related to the annual IPMT program, contact Elise Neuscheler at eneuscheler@folar-va.org. To volunteer, sign up at folar-va.org/join-us/volunteer.
