- This event has passed.
Invasive Species Workshop with TreesAtlanta
November 10, 2019 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Invasive Plant Species Identification & Removal Workshop with Trees Atlanta Forest Restoration Project Coordinator, Taryn Heidel
Sunday, November 10, 2019 1:00 PM- 4:00 PM
Meet at the Keswick Park gazebo behind the soccer fields
This workshop is designed to be a 3-hour hands-on educational course focused on the targeted identification of a variety of common invasive plant species of the Georgia Piedmont region as well as efficient removal methods of those plants. The main objective of this workshop is to empower our community group to take on invasive plant removal projects in our local parks and greenspace as well as educating individuals about invasive plants that may be present in their own yards and landscapes.
During the first half of the workshop, Taryn Heidel will lead a plant identification walk on the Keswick Forest Nature Trail. Each participant will be given a plant ID guide of our most serious invasive plants in Atlanta’s greenspaces, with the invasive plants found in Keswick Park highlighted. The guide also includes a number of desirable native plants that are often confused with these invasive plants or occupy a similar ecological niche. We will discuss how to identify each individual plant, as well as when is the appropriate time of year to approach treatment.
The second half of the workshop will focus on efficient removal techniques of these invasive plants, with the primary focus on the plants that cause the biggest nuisance in forested spaces. We will discuss site appropriate techniques for removal with the goal of causing as little excess site and soil disturbance as possible. Physical, mechanical, and chemical treatment methods will be covered.
Trees Atlanta will provide the necessary tools for the workshop, plus the ID guide which each individual will get to take home with them. By the end of the workshop, participants should feel confident in their ability to identify the major invasive plants covered in the workshop, as well as how to safely and effectively remove plants with as minimal disturbance as possible. Since we will briefly discuss the use of herbicide as a control method, additional information will be provided to those who are interested in pursuing pesticide applicator certification. It is recommended that a certified pesticide applicator be present when herbicide is in use in any public or private greenspace.