Trails School - Invasive Plants - Identification and Management for Trails
Invasive Plants – Identification and Management for Trails
2 Day class (16hrs)
Thursday, Friday (8am-5pm)
Fall 2024 Class Dates:
September 12-13
Description
This class will explore the ecological impacts of non-native invasive plants as well as their impacts on trail maintenance and user experience. Become acquainted with invasive plant identification, detection and prevention strategies, and control techniques. What makes a plant “invasive”? Why does it matter if a plant is “non-native”? What happens if you don’t have an invasive plant management plan for your trail?
Learn plant identification and control techniques in the classroom and refine those skills through hands-on field instruction.
Your instructor, John Odell is the owner of Appalachian Land Stewards in Old Fort, NC. After earning a Forestry degree in 2005, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and Warren Wilson College to develop his skills as a forester, land manager and arborist. John is an educator and advocate for natural ecosystems. Appalachian Land Stewards was created to help private and public landowners improve the ecological integrity of their lands through responsible forest management, invasive species control, native plant installation and proper tree care. John holds the following certifications and licenses: ISA Certified Arborist, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, Licensed NC Pesticide Applicator.
Instructors: John Odell, Appalachian Land Stewards; Assistant: Jeremy Poore, McDowell Tech Trail School
Day 1
8am – 5pm: Day one will be classroom oriented with emphasis on ecology and plant ID.
Day 2
8am – 5pm: Day two will be field oriented with hands-on control work to manage invasive plants along a trail corridor.
Tools and Equipment:
A variety of tools will be used in this course including: power hedger, hand saw, hand clippers, loppers
Tools will be provided for the class.
Safety:
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for this class includes: gloves, eye protection, long sleeves, long pants and sturdy boots/shoes.
Location:
Old Fort, North Carolina
Train and stay in beautiful Old Fort, NC. This is a destination training! Stay in town at an Airbnb or Bed and Breakfast or camp at one of our nearby campgrounds. Attend classes, complete trail training and play. Old Fort boasts world class trails for MTB, hiking and trail running as well as stocked trout waters for fishing. Enjoy our breweries, winery and great food. Shuttle the famous Heartbreak Ridge trail for a 12.4 mile downhill with 4,280 ft descent. Bring your bikes!
Day 1 Morning is at McDowell Tech, Old Fort Campus
Day 2 will take place in Pisgah National Forest about 3 miles from campus. Participants will need to bring sufficient water (3 liters minimum), lunch and snacks as well as clothing to deal with changing temperature and weather conditions. Instructors have current First Aid/CPR and first aid kits.
Class Dates: September 12, 2024 - September 13, 2024
Days and Times: Thursday and Friday 8am – 5pm
Length of Class: 2 Day class (16 hrs)
Total Cost: $71.30 Tuition
Location: Oldfort Campus of McDowell Tech
Click the link below to register: