Invasive Plant News Glacier National Park’s Invasive Plant Management Program manages non-native invasive plants that displace native flora, interrupt ecological processes, or degrade natural scenery. Most infestations of invasive plants in Glacier NP are closely correlated to disturbed areas such as roadsides, recreational areas, and construction sites. However, backcountry trails also provide a corridor for invasive plants to spread. Monitoring the spread of invasive plants along Glacier’s 700+ miles of trails in the backcountry is a difficult task. Weed populations identified by citizen science “weed warriors” are promptly treated by the park weed crew. This early detection program is helping to eliminate weed populations in Glacier’s pristine backcountry while they are small when chances of successful containment are greater and cost is less. In 2008, the Invasive Plant Management Program and Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center established a citizen science program to enlist the help of members of the public to map the spread of invasive species into Glacier’s backcountry and increase the likelihood for early treatment of new infestations. During training, participants learn how to identify 5 targeted non-native plant species, how to conduct invasive plant surveys and how to map the locations of invasives using GPS units. We trained 25 new citizen scientists, and along with the other 52 volunteers active in the Citizen Science Monitoring for Invasive Plants, 54 invasive plant surveys were conducted, scouting for weeds on 36 trails. 2010 Invasive Plant citizen scientists contributed over 351 hours of survey effort. Weeds were detected on 24 trails. On 14 trails, no invasive plants were found. We held the first annual Noxious Weed Blitz. Blitz participants were trained as citizen scientists to assist Glacier’s Invasive Plant Management Program by learning to identify, map and pull invasive plants. Fourteen participants mapped and pulled weeds along Lower McDonald Creek and the Middle Fork of the Flathead.
Other Citizen Science News We also conducted several educational outreach programs, training participants about the ecology and concerns of the wildlife and plant species we are monitoring, and engaging them in data collection. Approximately 60 individuals were educated during outreach presentations, in addition to those who conducted surveys and were included as new citizen scientist recruits. We trained students from the Flathead Lake Biological Station Ecology course, University of Montana Wildlife Biology Course, and Wildlands Institute, as well as hosting 22 Climate Change Ambassadors, ages 13-17, from the San Diego Elementary Institute of Science for a week of camping, citizen science, and learning about Glacier National Park. We also educated Sperry Chalet Staff, teachers from Conservation Across Boundaries, and individuals attending the Glacier Park Associates Annual Fundraiser.
Jami Belt has been coordinating the CCRLC’s citizen science program since 2006 and enjoys engaging people in research. Jami holds a Master’s of Science in Wildlife Biology from The University of Montana and a Bachelor’s in Neurology from UM.
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