Anyone interested in becoming a part of the Invasive Plant Patrol is invited to a workshop at the Windham VFW Hall behind the Windham Mall on June 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Maine’s lakes, rivers and streams are increasingly threatened by non-native invasive plants. Once established in a lake, stream or pond, early detection of an invasive aquatic plant provides the best hope of eradicating the invader. Trained volunteers play an extremely important role in this effort. The work is interesting, rewarding and fun.

The workshop is presented by the Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants and hosted by Little Sebago Lake, Crystal Lake and Collins Pond associations.

The workshop will provide:

• An overview and update of the threat of invasive aquatic plants in Maine.

• Introduction to “Maine’s Eleven Most Unwanted” invasive aquatic plants.

• An opportunity to practice plant identification with live plants.

• The fundamentals of conducting an invasive aquatic plant screening survey.

• The IPP Handbook, a three-ring binder full of useful information, including a free copy of the Maine Field Guide to Invasive Aquatic Plants.

The workshop is free and all are welcome to attend. The workshop includes a half-hour meal break. Lunch will be provided but donations to defer cost would be much appreciated.

Pre-registration is required for all workshops. Please contact the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program at vlmp@mainevlmp.org or (207) 783-7733 to register, or for more information contact Cheryl Welch at 657-4054.

The Invasive Plant Patrol workshops are made possible with support from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and by boater participation in the Maine Lake and River Protection Sticker program.