URBANA, Ill. – From your backyard to the local forest, invasive species have big environmental and economic impacts. Learn how to manage invasive plants in Introduction to Invasive Species Management, a two-day hybrid program led by University of Illinois Extension educators that starts with a day of online learning on Aug. 5, followed by a regional hands-on field day available Aug. 6-9.

On the online learning day, participants will explore the basics of invasive species ecology, invasive plant identification, and management principles. The field days are an opportunity to get an understanding of invasive species in the region, identify plants, review commonly used management tools, and see demonstrations of management techniques. The six statewide field day options include:  

• Aug. 6: St. James Farm Forest Preserve, Warrenville

• Aug. 7: Allerton Park, Monticello

• Aug. 7: Chinquapin Bluffs Land and Water Reserve, Carlock

• Aug. 8: Lincoln Prairie Trail, Taylorville

• Aug. 8: John Wood Community College, Quincy

• Aug. 9: Jackson County Illinois Extension Office, Murphysboro

This program is open to early-career natural resource professionals, landowners, volunteers, students, and anyone interested in gaining experience managing invasive species. Participants will obtain a certificate of course completion from Illinois Extension for attending both days. The $20 registration fee includes lunch on the field day. There are a limited number of spots available for each field day. Sign up by Aug. 4 at go.illinois.edu/IntroInvasives.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact Chris Evans at (618) 695-3383 or cwevans@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.

Non-native invasive species are plants, animals, and insects that spread quickly, cause ecological or economic damage, and are hard to remove once established. Illinois’ centralized location and extensive transportation networks provide many ways for pests to arrive. Across the state, Illinois Extension staff and volunteers work with communities to identify potential invasions, remove invasive species, and restore natural areas. Explore more about invasive species at go.illinois.edu/Invasive.

To connect with Extension natural resources, environment, and energy staff about a program or for a consultation, visit go.illinois.edu/NREEstaff. Extension’s natural resources, environment, and energy program provides research-based education for awareness and action to sustain healthy environments and ecosystems that support quality living and resilient communities. Extension staff empower people across Illinois to make a difference through the Master Naturalists, Climate Stewards, and Watershed Stewards volunteer and training programs.