We’re getting ready for the 2026 General Assembly session by hosting a General Assembly Preview Charlottesville Watch Party! Join us in person OR virtually to learn about the environmental policies & issues we expect to see during the 2026 session.
👉Register here: app.glueup.com/event/genera...

Image: PRISM founder Rod Walker accepted the award. He is pictured here with board member Jim Hurley.

Blue Ridge PRISM was honored with a Conservation Commendation from The Garden Club of America, a prestigious award recognizing exceptional leadership and contributions to environmental stewardship.
Read the press release: drive.google.com/file/d/1knl9...

VCN's Invasive Plants Policy The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has identified 103 species of invasive plants threatening the Commonwealth, with more under assessment.

Our briefing book paper for the upcoming 2026 General Assembly session is now online: vcnva.org/agenda-item/...

How Virginians can join the fight against invasive, non-native plants For nearly 50 years, citizens and scientists have been crafting a Digital Atlas of Virginia plants – documenting what grows here and where. But with so many new, invasive species taking root, it’s har...

Join us this Friday at noon. (We'll record it, too!)
Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/1478960232...

CITIZEN SCIENCE OPPORTUNITY
Dr. Andrea Weeks will be our August Brown Bag Webinar speaker. She will demonstrate how to collect and submit plant samples for documentation that can be used for future scientific research.

More info and free registration here: www.eventbrite.com/e/1478960232...

EDRR (Early Detection and Rapid Response) Alert!
Galega officinalis has been reported in Maryland. It's blooming now: white-to-lavender-to-pink pea flowers on plants that may reach 4 ft tall.
Please report if you see it:
www.inaturalist.org
www.eddmaps.org
www.invasivespeciesva.org/report-sight...

Hey, it's summer!
mailchi.mp/blueridgepri...

Check out our library of invasive plant reels!

www.youtube.com/@BlueRidgePR...

Tomorrow (Saturday, 6/7) is Free Fishing Day at Rappahannock County Park. It's a super fun event! Come say hello to Mike Wenger who will be answering all your questions about invasive plants and Blue Ridge PRISM.

Rappahannock County Park
Address: 7 Park Ln, Washington, VA 22747
9 am -3 pm

Virginia Invasive Plant Coalition The Virginia Invasive Plant Coalition is gathering information about the status of invasive plant management in community associations across the Commonwealth. Please help by taking this short survey ...

Have you seen invasive plants for sale at your local garden center? Let us know by filling out the survey form!
Link: virginiainvasives.org
Thanks for your help!

adventures of a 'bad naturalist,' with paula whyman AGAIN AND AGAIN, as I was reading the recent book “Bad Naturalist” by Paula Whyman, I kept thinking: Good thing I only have a couple of acres of land. Whyman tackled 200 acres on a

Thanks @paulawhyman.bsky.social!

"There’s an organization called Blue Ridge PRISM, which even though Blue Ridge is in the name, they get people from all over the world tuning into their webinars about invasive plants."

--> Join us for our summer webinar on 7/16: www.eventbrite.com/e/1320623794...

Image: Youngia japonica, by William Hamersky for Blue Ridge PRISM

= WEED IT WEDNESDAY =

Youngia japonica (Asiatic False Hawksbeard)

When the soil is moist, PRISM volunteer Mike Wenger uses a fork to remove the "babies" before they flower. He used to have a bunch on his lawn. Mike says "In two years, nearly gone!"
Works best when dealing with a small area.

Come say hello to Blue Ridge PRISM at the Rivanna RiverFest this Saturday! We'll be there to answer your invasive plant questions and will conduct mini ID walks throughout the day.

Hope to see you! The weather is going to be beautiful!

More info: www.rivannariver.org/rivanna-rive...

Happy May Day! We hope there are many flowers and plants in your future! Speaking of which:
Have you seen invasive plants for sale at your local garden center? Let us know by filling out the survey form!
Link to the survey => blueridgeprism.org/retail-survey

Thanks for your help!

Invasive Chinese wisteria ID YouTube video by Blue Ridge PRISM

Identifying invasive Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
youtube.com/shorts/ZgmVb...

Invasive Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) invading a woodland
youtube.com/shorts/E5Iol...

#invasive
#invasiveplants
#blueridgeprism
#virginia
#chinesewisteria

Loved having you, Maddie! And the exact number of people who joined us live for the webinar was actually 449. I double checked the Zoom analytics. You draw a big crowd. Kudos for a great presentation!

Invasive Japanese honeysuckle ID part 1 YouTube video by Blue Ridge PRISM

Identifying invasive Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) -- Part 1
youtube.com/shorts/STiYv...

Identifying invasive Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) -- Part 2
youtube.com/shorts/DX2nM...

#invasive
#invasiveplants
#blueridgeprism
#virginia
#japanesehoneysuckle

Invasive garlic mustard ID part 1 YouTube video by Blue Ridge PRISM

Garlic Mustard reels!

Identifying invasive Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) Pt 1: youtube.com/shorts/LCC-N...

Identifying invasive Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) Pt 2: youtube.com/shorts/_DdLt...

How to control invasive Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata): youtube.com/shorts/Ex6Td...

#invasive
#invasiveplants
#blueridgeprism
#virginia
#incisedfumewort

Identifying invasive incised fumewort YouTube video by Blue Ridge PRISM

Short and sweet! Check our our microvideos on how to identify and control incised fumewort!

-- Identify Incised Fumewort:
youtube.com/shorts/ywxX2...

-- Control Incised Fumewort:
youtube.com/shorts/nxnKK...

We had a great time at our spring invasive workshop in western Albemarle County! Thanks to all of our wonderful attendees for a fun and engaging day.

We are THRILLED to share that HB 1941/SB 1166 has been signed into law by the Governor! These bills are designed to curb invasive plants by supporting informed consumer choices at the point of sale.
Thank you for your support!
Bill in full: lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...

Thanks so much!

Weed Alert: Callery Pear
Identify now in early spring.
mailchi.mp/blueridgepri...

Coming up on 4/16-- free webinar on native plant restoration

www.eventbrite.com/e/1205696052...

Coming up on 3/30-- in-person workshop in western Albemarle County

www.eventbrite.com/e/1247714600...

Coming up on 3/26-- free webinar

www.eventbrite.com/e/1256932953...

PRISM was invited by Trees Virginia to present a series of workshops about invasive plants and control techniques in Roanoke. We're grateful to this enthusiastic and experienced group, and enjoyed the lively conversation!