Note that if you purchase something via one of our links, including Amazon, we may earn a small commission.
To: Bluedot Living
From: BiodiversityWorks Invasive Plant Brigade
Subject: Invasive Plant Management Cheat Sheet: Quick Tips and Resources
Managing invasive plants can be an intimidating task, especially if you plan to do it on your own. Luckily, there is some basic information that can make the job more approachable. This cheat sheet serves as a quick guide to manual terrestrial invasive plant management. Equipped with the answers to our most common questions, give this guide a read through the next time you find yourself in an invasive plant predicament.
Where do I start?
Use the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group and the Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List to learn which plants are restricted in the state. Online resources like iNaturalist can help you identify and document plants on your property. You can also access iNaturalist as a mobile app for convenience.
Need an extra hand?
Join BiodiversityWorks’ Invasive Plant Brigade (IPB). Created to meet the need for invasive plant management on Martha’s Vineyard, this volunteer-powered labor cooperative coordinates invasive plant management on properties across the Island. You volunteer time removing invasive plants on someone else's removal session, and we match that time for a removal on your own land. If you are physically unable to work on removals, we have volunteers that will work for you. Email [email protected] for more information.
Looking for best management practices?
Check out this recording of our webinar on invasive plants and how to manually manage them. In this video, Biodiversity Technician, Robyn Graygor, explores the best times of year to manually remove different priority invasive plants based on their phenology. Watch the whole presentation for an in-depth overview of invasive plants management strategies, or dial into a section on a specific plant.
Find additional information on best management practices for terrestrial invasive plants, in the Hudsonia Ltd Updated BMPs for Priority Invasive Plants. This resource explains the advantage of using manual removal, and provides detailed information about different priority species.
Unsure of how to handle disposal?
There are several ways to safely dispose of invasive plant debris to prevent further spread. Rather than tossing the material in the woods or in the compost where they could regrow and infest new areas, pick a solution that works for you using our terrestrial invasive species disposal guide.
More questions?
Don’t hesitate to reach out. Email [email protected] for more information!
