Overview
The National Capital Region Invasive Plant Management Team plans and implements treatments for non-native, invasive plants. The team inventories and maps targeted invasive vegetation, develops control strategies, and, through partnerships, follows treatments with restoration of disturbed areas. The team also conducts outreach and education on invasive plants with park staff, interested volunteers, and community groups.
Contact
Contact Alex Voznitza, IPMT Liaison, for additional information. If you need assistance from Resource Stewardship and Science (RESS), you may submit a Solution for Technical Assistance Requests (STAR) request online (NPS Only).
Projects
- Early Detection & Rapid Response - Assisting parks across the National Capital Region (NCR) with prompt treatment of new invaders before they can become established pests. Includes species such as wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus hirtellus). (ongoing)
- Park Support - Coordinating with each NCR park on an annual workplan that can include infestation surveys, initial treatments, re-vegetation, follow-up treatments, and restoration. (ongoing)
- Regional Support - Co-hosting and coordinating yearly pesticide re-certification training for NPS staff, interns, volunteers, and local governments that qualifies participants for certification in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. (annual)
Links
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- Locations: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Great Falls Park, National Capital Parks-East, Piscataway Park, more »
Black fountaingrass (Cenchrus purpurascens) is an invasive plant that is also a popular ornamental grass because of its red-to-purple-colored flowerhead. It can be found in plazas and housing complexes throughout the greater Washington, DC area and it spreads quickly. Learn how to identify it and how to help control its spread.
- Locations: Anacostia Park, Antietam National Battlefield, Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Catoctin Mountain Park, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, more »
Learn about Christmas berry (Photinia villosa), an invasive shrub considered an early detection rapid response species in the greater Washington, DC region in 2024.
- Locations: Antietam National Battlefield, Catoctin Mountain Park, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, more »
Two-horned trapa (Trapa bispinosa) is an invasive aquatic plant that's considered an early detection rapid response species in the greater Washington, DC region. Learn how to identify it, differentiate it from the Eurasian water chestnut, and help be on the lookout for this invasive species.
- Locations: Antietam National Battlefield, Catoctin Mountain Park, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Greenbelt Park, more »
- Offices: Region 1: National Capital Region, Resource Stewardship & Science - Region 1 NCA
Incised fumewort (Corydalis incisa) is a "high risk" invasive plant in the mid-Atlantic US with the potential to become widespread and cause a lot of damage. Learn how to identify it, differentiate it from the native yellow corydalis (Corydalis flavula), and help be on the lookout for this invasive species.
Learn about six invasive viburnums commonly found in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region. All are native to East Asia, primarily China and Japan, brought in for ornamental use and are still sold commercially. They outcompete native flora, including our own native viburnums, due to dense growth and vigorous fruit production.
- Locations: Anacostia Park, Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Fort Dupont Park, Fort Foote Park, more »
Since invasive species don’t recognize park boundaries, we need to work together with our partners, neighbors, and other federal and state entities to manage across borders. We can’t do it alone!
Last updated: March 19, 2025