Resources on Invasive Plants

Invasive plants are troublesome on public and private property. Following is a list of resources that provide information on the identification, control of invasive plant species and removal programs for them.

• Mistaken Identity?: Invasive Plants and their Native Look-Alikes
• Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas
• Potomac Watershed Invasive Species and Alternative Plants (Brochure & Wallet Card)

Additional Resources For Invasive Plant Information

• Virginia Invasive Plant Coalition - The next step in the work to remove invasive plants from Virginia landscapes is to build a broad coalition of stakeholders to create a shared vision.
• Virginia Invasive Plant Species List - Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation maintains an advisory list of invasive species found in Virginia and has facts sheets on several species.
• MGNV - Homeowners can play a role in reducing the spread of these invasive plants by identifying and removing them from their properties. They can also avoid purchasing invasive plants that are still sold by nurseries for landscape purposes.

Resources for Native Plants

• Arlington Native Plants - Our native plants provide beauty, biodiversity, storm-water control, cleaner and cooler air, and habitat and food for local wildlife.
• Conservation Landscapes - Conservation landscapes are designed to benefit local streams and the Chesapeake Bay by using native plants as a low-cost alternative to traditional landscapes, which use turf grass and ornamental plantings.
• Virginia Native Plant Society – VNPS works to preserve native plants in VA. Their website provides a list of local nurseries that sell native plants and has a publication entitled Native Plants for Conservation, Restoration and Landscaping.
• Bringing Nature Home – Learn how you can sustain wildlife with native plants from expert Douglas Tallamy. The website includes a tool to get suggestions on what to plant based on where you live.

Local Organizations

The following is a list of local organizations working with Arlington invasive plant program on invasive plant education and control work.

• EcoAction Arlington – EcoAction Arlington works to improve the environment of Arlington County. Volunteer opportunities include stream clean ups, Neighborhood Watershed Stewardship Teams, Storm Drain markings and invasive plant removals. EcoAction Arlington also provides leadership for Arlington’s Community Wildlife Habitat Program.
• Arlington Nature Centers – The Gulf Branch and Long Branch Nature Centers provide a full range of indoor and outdoor nature programs including lectures, naturalist-led trail hikes, craft demonstrations, field studies, audio/visual presentations and specialized group programs.
• Arlington Regional Parks – Invasive plant control efforts are also ongoing at Upton Hill and Potomac Overlook Regional Parks.
• Northern Virginia Conservation Trust – NVCT is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to preserving and enhancing the natural and historic resources of Northern Virginia.
• Arlington Regional Master Naturalists – ARMN is an all volunteer-organization whose mission is to train and certify a corps of volunteers to provide education, research, citizen science, outreach, and stewardship of Virginia’s natural resources and public lands.
• The Earth Sangha is a nonprofit charity based in the Washington, DC area and devoted to ecological restoration. They operate an ecological restoration program to restore native forests and meadows, stabilize streams, and control invasive alien plants. They also have a Wild Plant Nursery with annual plant sales.
• MGNV - Tried and true native plant selections for the Mid-Atlantic. 
• Nova Natives - Guide to native plants for Northern Virginia.
• Virginia Native Plant Society Potowmack chapter – Arlington/Fairfax chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society. Check here for scheduled lectures, nature hikes and invasives removal events.
• Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia – MGNV is an organization of trained volunteers who work with the staff of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) to encourage and promote environmentally sound gardening practices. MGNV maintains five demonstration gardens, operates plant clinics and supports the help desk at the Arlington County VCE office. Through public workshops and through the MGNV.org, MGNV provides up-to-date, reliable, researched based information about gardening practices that protect the environment and promote sustainability.