Help protect Washington's wild areas while hiking this summer! The Wilderness Weed Watchers Program trains volunteers to identify, map and control invasive species along backcountry trails and campsites. Volunteers gain skills in plant identification, enjoy scenic hikes in the wilderness, and contribute important data to the U.S. Forest Service.

The training will orient volunteers to the goals of the Wilderness Weed Watchers Program, introduce invasive species of concern (and native look-alikes!) and train volunteers in basic survey procedures. Volunteers will be asked to commit to conducting two trail surveys during the summer of 2013 in one of seven wilderness areas in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Wilderness Weed Watchers is a partnership between The Mountaineers, King County Noxious Weed Program and the U.S. Forest Service.

For more information please visit the Weed Watchers webpage at: www.mountaineers.org/weedwatchers

We will also be holding two post-training group survey hikes for additional plant ID and survey practice (and fun!) on June 28 and June 30. We will pick the trails closer to the date to make sure they are snow free and ready to survey, but we tentatively plan to meet at the North Bend Ranger Station at 9:00 am to carpool to the trailhead.