Volunteers Needed to Help Gather Information for the
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England

The Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE) is a joint effort of
the New England Wild Flower Society, Silvio O. Conte National Fish and
Wildlife Refuge, and the University of Connecticut. Since 2002
volunteers have been gathering data on the presence and distribution of
invasive plant species present on the landscape of New England. A corps
of volunteers is being trained to identify invasive plants and document
their current range. We are seeking to train additional volunteer
participants in each New England state to survey their local area. No
prior expertise is necessary, but attendance at one introductory
training is required. Introductory trainings take place in March and
April of each year with additional and advanced trainings held
throughout the summer season. Trainings are held in each New England
state with each session lasting one day.  All skills and materials
necessary to participate are provided.

Information collected by volunteers will be entered into the Invasive
Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE), coordinated by Dr. Leslie J.
Mehrhoff at the University of Connecticut. The data in IPANE will be
posted on the worldwide web and be used to make decisions on how to
control invasive species to slow their spread and reduce their impact on
our native flora. More information on this project and the survey can be
found at the New England Wild Flower Society web site www.newfs.org or
the web site for the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England at
www.ipane.org.

People interested in volunteering for the Invasive Plant Survey please
contact: Chris Mattrick, New England Wild Flower Society, 180 Hemenway
Road, Framingham, MA 01701  508-877-7630 ext. 3203 or
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2004 IPANE Training Dates
Sunday Feb 27- CT IPANE Training
Saturday March 5- RI IPANE Training
Sunday April 3- MA IPANE Training
Saturday April 9- NH IPANE Training
Saturday April 16- VT IPANE Training
Saturday April 23- ME IPANE Training