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Contact: Ellen Blickhan, 406 888-5838
WEST GLACIER, MT. - Glacier National Park’s Citizen Science Program announces the second annual Noxious Weed Blitz on Thursday, July 28th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the West Glacier Community Building. In 2008, the Invasive Plant Management Program and Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center established a citizen science program to enlist the help of members of the public to map the spread of invasive species. Noxious Weed Blitz participants will be trained to assist Glacier’s Invasive Plant Management Program by learning to identify, map and pull invasive plants. Participants will spend the morning learning how to identify five targeted invasive plant species. After lunch attendants will learn how to conduct invasive plant surveys and map the locations of invasive plants using GPS units. Attending the Blitz will give you the option to continue as a citizen scientist weed warrior during future hikes. The event is free and open to all ages. Lunch will be provided for those who sign up for the event. Please bring gloves for hand pulling weeds, footwear for hiking, and drinking water. To sign up or to find out about other invasive plant opportunities, please contact the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center at (406) 888-7986 or glac_citizen_science@nps.gov. Last year citizen scientist weed warriors completed 72 surveys, from 42 different trails, which contributed to the understanding of weed location, spread and management. Glacier National Park’s Invasive Plant Management Program monitors and controls non-native invasive plants that displace native flora, interrupt ecological processes and degrade natural scenery. Most infestations of invasive plants in Glacier National Park are closely correlated to disturbed areas such as roadsides, recreational areas, and construction sites. Backcountry trails also are threatened by invasive species and monitoring the spread of invasive plants along Glacier’s over 700 miles of trails in the backcountry is a difficult task. Glacier National Park’s Citizen Science Program engages members of the general public to assist in gathering biological research data. The program, now in its sixth year, fosters stewardship and provides critical baseline information on Common Loons, mountain Goats, pikas and invasive plants. Support of the Citizen Science Program for Invasive Plants is provided by the Glacier National Park Fund, the Park’s non-profit fundraising partner, in partnership with the Unilever U.S. Foundation. For more information about Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center programs go to: https://www.nps.gov/glac/naturalscience/ccrlc.htm -NPS- |
Last updated: February 24, 2015