Invasive Plants – Early Detection and Rapid Response

The most cost-efficient way to manage invasive plants is to monitor and treat new threats before they have time to become established. As a result, DPR has developed an Early Detection, Rapid Response (EDRR) Program for Arlington County. This program provides a framework for managing new threats as they arise. DPR has identified several species that have been found to be very invasive in other areas, but are not yet widespread in Arlington. DPR staff will be monitoring Arlington parks for EDRR species on a routine basis.

How You Can Help

Arlingtonians can help prevent new invasives from becoming a problem in several ways.

• Check before you buy. Buying plants for your yard or garden? Many of our emerging (and already common) invasives are for sale. As you’re browsing the plant aisles, check them before putting them in your cart. You can use our invasive species list, the app for Virginia invasives or just type the plant's name and the word "invasive" into your search engine – do you get a lot of hits? If so, consider another choice. Easier yet – stick with native plants! Several organizations like the Master Gardeners and Plant Nova Natives provide great alternatives.
• Take pictures with iNaturalist. Like taking pictures? This free community science app not only helps you identify critters, plants, seashells, fungi and more, by using it you’ll be helping us detect new invasives in Arlington and helping us document biodiversity. Pictures of species of concern taken in our parks are automatically captured in the project Invader Detectives: National Capital Region · iNaturalist. NCR-PRISM staff scan reports, and notify Arlington Natural Resources staff if new sightings occur. But the first step depends on your participation!
• Learn to recognize EDRR species. Our neighbors at Blue Ridge PRISM have a great resource: https://blueridgeprism.org/early-detection-species. In the spring, be on the lookout for incised fumewort. In summer, look out for aquatic trapa in ponds and rivers, and for wavyleaf basket grass in shady woods. In fall, keep an eye out for non-native viburnums with red fruit, or for showy fountain grass.
• Join us in searching for and removing them! We sometimes focus on these at our regular events, listed in blue on the right of this page. There’s an opportunity almost every weekend day and a few midweek as well. Pre-Register. 

Contact the Natural Resources Management Unit at NaturalResources@arlingtonva.us for more information.