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Volunteer lopping multiflora rose

Do you want to help protect native plant and wildlife habitat in your national park?
The Exotic Plant Management Volunteer Program is an opportunity for people of all ages to assist the staff of Cuyahoga Valley National Park in removing exotic, invasive plant infestations. Invasive plant and animal species are the second leading cause for species being listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (habitat loss is the number one cause).

Help Needed
If you would like to help the Resource Management Division inventory, monitor, and/or remove exotic plants that threaten native plants and animals at the park, please see the schedule below and attend one of our events!

No events scheduled at this time. Check back for updates.

Meeting Locations:
Boston Store Visitor Center Invasive Crew meets at the Boston Store Visitor Center Parking Lot on Boston Mills Road. For more information call Crew Leader Bob Wunderlich at (330) 689-1178.

Coliseum Invasive Crew meets along a pullout on the north shoulder of State Route 303 immediately west of Interstate 271 in Richfield. For more information, call Crew Leaders Fred and Holly Glock at (330)659-3905.

Crazy Man's Hollow Invasive Crew meets at the Station Road Bridge parking lot kiosk located on Riverview Road just South of Route 82. For more information, call Crew Leader Kathy Schultz at (216) 642-7697.

Haskell Run Invasive Crew meets at the Happy Days Visitor Center off of State Route 303 about one mile west of State Route 303. For more information, call Crew Leader Bob Wunderlich at (330) 689-1178.

Old Carriage Trail Invasive Crew meets at 714 Fieldcrest Court in Sagamore Hills. For more information, call Crew Leader Gene Wimmer at (330) 467-9593.

Salt Run Invasive Crew meets at the Pine Hollow parking lot shelter located off of Quick Road. For more information, call Crew Leader Bob Wunderlich at (330) 689-1178.

Stumpy Basin Invasive Crew meets at the overflow parking lot for Lock 29 on West Mill Street in Peninsula. For more information, contact Crew Leader Kim Nickerson at knickerson@neo.rr.com.

Terra Vista Invasive Crew meets at the Terra Vista Natural Study Area parking lot located off of Tinkers Creek Road approximately one-quarter mile west of Canal Road in Valley View. For more information, contact Crew Leaders Fred and Holly Glock at (330)659-3905.

Virginia Kendall Ledges Invasive Crew meets at the Ledges parking lot located off of Truxell Road in Peninsula. For more information, contact Crew Leader Kim Nickerson at knickerson@neo.rr.com. 

Note: Work sessions may be cancelled in the case of bad weather. Please call (330) 342-0764 ext.5 to confirm if a work session will take place as posted.

How do you manage an invasive plant infestation?
Find out by attending a work session in one (or more) of these special areas of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Enthusiastic volunteers are always needed. Help conserve biodiversity in the park by removing invasive plants.

No pre-registration is required (unless otherwise noted). Work sessions are open to people of all ages but children under 16 must have a parent or guardian with them and all volunteers under 18 must have a signed parental approval form in order to participate. All volunteer forms are provided at the beginning of the work session.

Participants should bring drinking water and leather (or other sturdy) gardening gloves to protect their hands. Long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy boots are recommended due to off-trail terrain and potential poison ivy exposure.

Are you interested in adopting an invasive plant management area? Volunteer crew leaders lead work sessions in their adopted areas after receiving training in plant identification, use of specialized equipment (i.e. Global Positioning System (GPS) and handheld radios), and plant removal techniques. Several special areas are available for adoption including Virginia Kendall, Boston Run, and Double Creek Drop (off Chippewa Road). Are you a leader of a troop, environmental club, garden club, or a community service organization and want a service project for your group? Work sessions can be scheduled for a single day or your group can adopt an area for an entire season and see the habitat improve throughout the year.

Please contact the Resource Management Division at (330) 342-0764 ext. 5 for more information.

Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park's webpage about Invasive Plants.