Welcome to Environmental Literacy Classroom
Brought to you by the Rockfish Valley Foundation
In Partnership With the Virginia DCR
Invasive Plants
What Are Invasive Plants?
Invasive plants are non-native plants that harm our environment, health & economy. Because they lack predators, invasives grow quickly & outcompete our native species for resources. They can disrupt food webs and endanger native species.
Why Are Invasive Plants a Problem?
Invasives can quickly overwhelm properties by weighing down the forest canopy and overtaking our native trees, shrubs & plants! Over time, landscapes shift from a diversity of plants & animals to ones with a dominant plant that is unable to support beneficial insects & pollinators
Invasive bittersweet vines overtaking native trees at RVF
Invasive Japanese honeysuckle overtaking native trees at RVF.
Lindsay Caplan, an invasive species specialist with the Virginia Department of Forestry, explains more about invasive species in this short video.
What Can You Do?
-Learn how to identify and control invasive plants. -Use native or non-invasive plants when you are planting on your property -Take precautions when hiking so you don’t bring invasives home with you. -Become an advocate. -Volunteer to help the Rockfish Valley Foundation control invasives.This ENLIT module made possible through the generous efforts of volunteers in the Virginia Master Naturalists Program.
The Rockfish Valley Foundation works to protect and educate on the land, air, waters, and living history of the Rockfish Valley. We are volunteer-led and donor-funded. For information on donating or volunteering please visit us at rockfishvalley.org