Exotic Vegetation Management Annual Report for FIscal Year 2005

Akerson, James; Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team

Fiscal year 2005 was the third year of operations for the Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team (EPMT) and its overarching Mid-Atlantic Cooperative of parks. Housed at Shenandoah National Park, the Mid-Atlantic EPMT serves national parks in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Beginning with twelve parks, a thirteenth participated by paying for services through an indefinite quantities contract to perform exotic plant control work (Valley Forge NHP). Representatives for each park comprise the Steering Committee that provides management direction and priority setting. The Team Liaison provides daily operations leadership and coordinates activities with individual parks. He also serves as the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative to oversee the field work of a for-profit contractor and a student volunteer organization. The Crew Leader provides direction for on-the-ground activity and oversees matters of safety, equipment maintenance, and staff training. Field work was accomplished with NPS crewmembers, student interns, volunteers, park staffs, and private contractors. Partnerships with park staffs, volunteer organizations, and neighboring landowners are increasing the effectiveness of treatments while broadening the organizational capacity to successfully address invasive plants within the Cooperative.