Alert:
The Invasive Management Area (IMA) Volunteer Program is a community-based project designed to reduce invasive plants on our parklands. This program gives volunteers an opportunity to connect with like-minded people while taking care of natural resources. Through IMA, you’ll protect the plants and wildlife of Fairfax County's forests while spending time outdoors, meeting new people and restoring natural habitats.
IMA is more than just pulling weeds. It’s also habitat restoration and a long-term commitment to parks. Invasive plant species are difficult to remove and control, but with the help of IMA volunteers, undesirable non-native, invasive plants are removed and native plants are returned to the habitat. Native plantings take place in the spring and fall.
The IMA project began in 2006 with 20 sites. Since then, more than 150 acres have come under IMA management, and there are 65 active IMA sites and Volunteer Site Leaders. More acres have been treated and restored by contractors and staff.
Learn about the Early Detection and Early Response ProgramInvasive species are, generally, non-native species that cause ecological or economic harm. They share certain characteristics, such as being able to mature quickly and generate many offspring, and they can tolerate a range of habitats. For example, Japanese stiltgrass can produce seed in as little as 1% sunlight.
Because they can successfully grow in new territory, invasive species make terrible neighbors. They out-compete native species for the same resources, eventually reducing the populations of native species and, in some cases, even eliminating species from a community altogether. Some invasive species have more complicated effects that send ramifications up the food chain. That leads to fewer native birds and less wildlife. The third main impact of invasive species is their ability to alter the natural functions of a plant community or an ecosystem by changing soil conditions. Soil conditions are one factor in determining which plants can grow in a specific place.
The Early Detection and Rapid Response program finds new populations of certain invasive species as they are starting to invade an area and then eradicates them before they cause serious harm in county parks.
Focus community support and momentum to do something about non-native, invasive plantsInvasive plants prevent us from enjoying our forests. They degrade our natural ecosystems. Ever get stopped in the woods by climbing vines or shrubs with thorns? They may have been invasive species. Some of them, like multiflora rose, can completely swarm over a section of woods and block out everything else.
However, invasives can be thwarted. The Fairfax County Park Authority has a volunteer program that battles invasive species, removing them and replacing them with native species.
Get involved in protecting your local parks. Volunteer for the Invasive Management Area program. Even a few hours on a single day will help.
Students and scouts, do you need to earn some community service hours? IMA is the program for you! Sign up using the IMA Workday Calendar below to get involved.
The IMA calendar is your opportunity to volunteer. Use it to find IMA dates convenient for you. Youth, adults, scouts and groups all help. If you do not see a date that works for you, please contact the IMA coordinator who will happily help place your group.
To join a workday, click on the red IMA Workday Calendar.
Questions about invasive plants? Email: FCPAInvasiveManagement@fairfaxcounty.gov
Questions about volunteering? Contact Gloria Medina, Anastasia.Mejia@fairfaxcounty.gov, or call 703-324-6525.
We Need Your Help Saving Trees On ParklandTree Rescuers work independently to clip vines and give trees time.
Scout Name: Varshan Chenthil
George Mason District, NCAC
Description: Varshan Chenthil led an Eagle Scout project focused on habitat restoration and the removal of invasive plants from parkland. The project was completed at the Cunningham Park IMA Site in Vienna, VA. Please contact the Park Authority before removing any plants.
Invasive plants removed in the project include: Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)
