Invasive Plants

Tackling Invasive Plants in Our National Parks

Weed Wrangle is proudly partnering with Olmsted 200 and the National Park Service to ensure that invasive plants do not disturb the health of Olmsted’s public parks. Learn more about this partnership and find a Weed Wrangle event near you.

The spread of invasive species is a major factor contributing to undesirable landscape level change and ecosystem instability in national parks. The National Park Service (NPS) is working to manage invasive species in park units through a suite of national and local programs.

As of 2017, there were over 1.4 million acres of national park units infested with invasive plants, of which only approximately 43,000 acres are controlled, in which invasive plant infestations have been reduced to a level that can be maintained by park staff.

Left image
Reed canarygrass in Bradley Meadow in June 2001, before treatment.

Right image
Bradley Meadow in 2013, after 12 years of treatment.

What a difference management makes! The California Invasive Plant Management Teams treated Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks for invasive Reed canarygrass in Bradley Meadows until 2013 when diverse native vegetation once again dominated the site.

Learn about Invasive Plants

• 

  Managing Invasive Plants

  The National Park Service uses a variety of strategies to manage invasive plants.

• 

  Invasive Plants of Concern

  Learn about priority invasive plants in national parks.

• 

  Prevent

  Prevent invasive species from even entering national parks.

Learn About Work in Parks

• 

  IPMT Annual Reports

  See the great work that IPMTs do throughout the year.

• 

  Work in Parks

  The best strategies for treating invasive plants depend on the ecosystem they're in.

• 

  Invasive species success stories

  With the hard work of park staff and your help, success is possible!