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 [log in to unmask] 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