Weed Warrior Volunteer Program
Invasive plants are silently dismantling the health of our urban forests. Invasive vines, in particular, are strangling native trees, degrading vital habitats, and destabilizing ecosystems that ultimately feed into the Chesapeake Bay. This growing threat is not just an environmental issue; it’s a matter of equity, public health, and climate resilience. The good news is that you can help!
The Weed Warrior Volunteer Program was created in 1999, by Montgomery Parks, to empower community members to help staff manage invasive plants on parkland. As of October 2025, we are starting a similar program on Prince George’s Department of Parks and Recreation lands.
How to Get Involved:
At this time, there are two ways to get involved and make a difference in our parks: join an event and/or become certified to remove invasive plants on your own.
1. Join a Group Weed Warrior Event
- We have Weed Warrior events open to the public and would love your help.
- The events take place throughout the year at parks across the county — no advanced training required. All tools are also provided.
- These invasive plant management events are led by specially trained volunteer Weed Warrior Supervisors and/or Parks staff.
- Events are approximately two hours in duration, and they’re a great way to start learning how to identify and remove invasive species!
- Please visit our Volunteer Opportunity page to learn more about our upcoming events and to register.
2. Become a Certified Weed Warrior Volunteer
Certified Weed Warriors are authorized to control invasive species on Prince George’s Department of Parks and Recreation lands without supervision. Newly Certified Weed Warriors start at Level 1, authorized to control our top six priority invasive vines on Parkland. Level 2 Weed Warrior Certification includes further training and authorizes volunteers to control an additional twelve priority invasive species.
- The minimum age for certification is 18 years.
- Level 1 certification requires completing the Invasive Species Basics and Weed Warrior 101 online courses, participating in at least two Weed Warrior events led by trained supervisors, and attending an in-person training.
- Level 2 certification includes all of the requirements of Level 1 plus an additional Weed Warrior 102 course.
- Anyone with an interest in helping out the local environment is encouraged to attend the trainings and events.
Please visit our Volunteer Opportunity page to learn about upcoming virtual training and invasive plant removal events.
We know it’s tempting, but it’s against Prince George’s Department of Parks and Recreation rules and regulations to remove plant material from a park without prior authorization.
Current Certified Weed Warriors
Are you a certified Weed Warrior for Montgomery Parks? If so, please contact our Vegetation Ecologist, Kerry Wixted at Kerry.wixted@pgparks.com for more information on how to get certified in Prince George’s County.
Please remember to log your volunteer service hours and keep your contact information up-to-date. When logging hours, please indicate which park(s) you conducted work in and approximately how many trees you freed with the removal.
Want to Know More About Invasive Plant Management in our Parks?
Check out our invasive species page to learn about Prince George’s Department of Parks and Recreation management goals and current projects.
If you are interested in being added to our email list for updates on our invasive species management program, including volunteer opportunities, please contact our Vegetation Ecologist, Kerry Wixted at Kerry.wixted@pgparks.com or fill out this interest form:
