Exotic Vegetation Management Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2009

Akerson, James; Bentley, Craig; Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team

Fiscal year 2009 was the seventh year of operations for the Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team and its overarching Mid-Atlantic Cooperative of 18 parks. Hosted at Shenandoah National Park, the Mid-Atlantic Team serves national park units in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. A Steering Committee made up of representatives from each park unit provides overall management direction. The Team Liaison provides administrative leadership and coordinates activities with individual parks and other agencies. He oversees work by non-NPS work groups and volunteers and serves as Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative. The Field Crew Leader provides direction for on-the-ground activity and oversees matters of safety, technical effectiveness, equipment maintenance, data management, and staff training. Fieldwork is accomplished through the broad cooperation of Team crewmembers, park staffs, student interns, volunteers, special interest sponsors, and a private contractor. Program support comes through a combination of federal and nonprofit organizations. Collaborative partnerships broaden the organizational capacity within the Cooperative to manage invasive plants into the future.