Weed Watchers
Become a Citizen Scientist!
As a weed watcher you will learn to identify invasive plants of the region and report your findings.
Weed Watchers patrol the roads and trails of the national parks in San Mateo, San Francisco , and Marin counties, detecting weeds as they first invade.
Discovering weeds before they become well-established is critical to reducing damage to ecosystem integrity, preventing the loss of habitat for rare plants and animals, and preventing costly natural resource management. Deepen your understanding of the natural world while playing an important role in the protection of the unique resources at the park.
Getting Started
Anyone can join us on one of our hikes to help map and remove weeds. Extended training in invasive plant identification and mapping is available. Contact the Weed Watcher Volunteer Coordinator for more information. Trained volunteers conduct independent surveys, and report new weed occurrences to the parks. Reap the benefits of a flexible independent schedule, weekly exercise, family-friendly volunteer experiences and extended levels of training in California plants, resource management and mapping technologies. Sign up for a hike today!
Volunteers are given a special "Weed Watchers Kit" which contains the following:
- A set of "Plants Out of Place" ID cards
- A personalized map of your survey route
- Instructions for conducting a survey
- Weed Watcher report forms
- An official Weed Watchers t-shirt to wear on your surveys
Contact Information
Weed Watchers Volunteer Program
SFAN I&M
Fort Cronkhite , Building 1063
Sausalito, CA 94965
Email: Eric_Wrubel@nps.gov
Phone: 415-331-5023
