Southern Illinois WeedWatch

Volunteers Needed for the Southern Illinois WeedWatch Project

Invasive plant species can aggressively overtake or displace native species causing a drastic reduction in our native biodiversity and natural beauty. Discovering weeds before they become well-established is critical to reducing damage to ecosystem integrity, preventing the loss of habitat for rare plants and animals, and preventing costly natural resource management. WeedWatch volunteers will learn to identify, locate and map invasive species within Illinois Natural Area Inventory sites that are located in Wilderness Areas in the Shawnee National Forest.

Will you become an Illinois WeedWatch Project Volunteer?
Volunteers will be trained to:
• identify invasive plant species in southernmost Illinois.
• map their locations using Global Positioning System (GPS).
• record data online into a web-based database.
Volunteers will:
• deepen their understanding of the natural world.
• play an important role in the protection of the unique resources in southernmost Illinois.
• aid land managers to effectively slow the spread of harmful invasive species.
• contribute to the comprehensive regional database of non-native invasive species locations.
Volunteers will agree to:
• attend 2-hour plant ID training on May 5 from 6 to 8 pm at Giant City State Park.
• work in at least one target Natural Area over the summer.
• have fun!

Attention Students!! Earn Saluki Volunteer Corps hours!!

Interested, but can’t make the May 5 date? No problem, contact Terri to discuss other options.

Contact Terri Treacy at 618-521-1030 or terri.treacy@sierraclub.org by April 30.