TROY — The Greater Uwharrie Conservation Partnership is holding a free one-day Invasive Species Workshop from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at Montgomery County Community College in Troy.
The workshop includes a morning session that will provide background information on invasive species and new threats in this area, identification techniques and tools for management.
The afternoon will consist of a field demonstration of the management tools at the Nichols Longleaf Pine Preserve, along with practical experience identifying invasives in the field. This workshop also offers 4.0 hours of pesticide credits toward a pesticide license. Free resources such as ID books and handouts will be provided for attendees.
If you are interested in attending, register by Aug. 18 at http://gucpworkshop.weebly.com/ or by contacting Brooke Massa at 919-630-3086, or brooke.massa@ncwildlife.org. Space is limited to 75 attendees. Refreshments will be provided. Invasions of non-native plants into Southern forests continue to go largely unchecked and only partially monitored. Invasive non-native plants quickly take over the forest and occupy small forest openings, increasingly eroding forest productivity by degrading diversity and wildlife habitat. Although some have been introduced accidentally, most were brought here for decorative landscaping.
Without their natural predators of insects and diseases that usually keep native plants in balance, natives never see the light of day.
Because invasive species are such a widespread nuisance, it has become increasingly important for private landowners and land managers to join in the fight against these plants.