Wheaton, Md. – Montgomery Parks honored four outstanding Weed Warrior volunteers this week for their efforts to protect parkland from non-native invasive plants. At a special appreciation event, the volunteers were recognized for giving their time and energy to remove harmful plants and keep parks and natural areas healthy.
The Montgomery Parks Weed Warrior Program was created in 1999 to empower community members to help Montgomery Parks staff manage non-native invasive plants on parkland. This video provides an overview of the program.
“Weed Warrior volunteers do much more than remove invasive plants; they inspire environmental stewardship by educating others and strengthening connections with nature,” said Miti Figueredo, director of Montgomery Parks.
This year’s Weed Warrior award recipients include:
- Jesse Swart, Supervisor Rookie of the Year
- Jill Fonda Allen, Supervisor Rookie of the Year
- Jeff Schloss, Certified Weed Warrior Who Will Volunteer Everywhere and Anywhere
- Ed Murtagh, Supervised the Most Weed Warrior Events
“Our Weed Warrior volunteers are critical in maintaining a healthy ecosystem in our parks,” said Corinne Stephens. “We simply could not manage the monumental invasive species problem that threatens our parks without them. We encourage anyone and everyone to learn more about the program and consider joining a Weed Warrior volunteer event.”
Last year, over 2,275 Weed Warrior volunteers dedicated 13, 943 hours to remove invasive vines from over 18,175 trees in parks across the county. That amounts to an estimated $509,089 in savings, equivalent to the work of six full-time employees.
Montgomery Parks Volunteer Appreciation event is proudly supported by a generous donation from the Montgomery Parks Foundation. As the official nonprofit partner of Montgomery Parks, the Montgomery Parks Foundation is committed to protecting our county’s precious ecosystems, celebrating our cultural treasures, and fostering community connections. www.montgomeryparksfoundation.org
Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages 417 parks and more than 37,000 acres of parkland. Our parks, programs, and facilities promote physical activity, social connection, and environmental stewardship. As part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery Parks is committed to creating equitable, inclusive, and accessible park experiences. M-NCPPC has been stewarding public lands since 1927 and has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services.
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Accessibility for more information.
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