Weed Wrangles

Weed Wrangles are volunteer events hosted nationwide to control invasive plants that are negatively impacting our public parks, green spaces, and natural areas. During these events, community members learn to identify and control invasive plants through hands-on removal, which are harming our native plant communities. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is one example of an invasive plant targeted for control during Weed Wrangles. In addition to out-competing our native plants, research shows that garlic mustard can be fatal to several butterfly species. A rare species of butterfly, the West Virginia White (Pieris virginiensis), lays eggs on plants in the mustard family. However, any caterpillars that hatch from eggs laid on garlic mustard do not survive to become adult butterflies.

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Across America, Weed Wrangle volunteers are lead by experts to learn how to identify and control invasive plants. By engaging our community members and challenging them to work to manage invasive plants in their own spaces, we foster a collective effort to have a substantial positive impact for our native plants, pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.

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Please join us by attending a Weed Wrangle in Brown County, or consider hosting one. You will not only learn about plants, wildlife, and how to manage invasive plants, but you will also join a national effort to positively impact our communities. And it’s fun!