About Us
Photo: Japanese Stiltgrass invading a forest. Courtesy of Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program
Blue Ridge Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) is Virginia’s first Cooperative Weed Management Area.
Founded in 2014 as a volunteer-driven project of the Shenandoah National Park Trust, PRISM became a stand-alone nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity in 2020. Since then, we have grown to become the statewide leader in invasive plant education, training, and advocacy. We are small but mighty, with an expert staff dedicated to helping you reverse the spread of invasive plants on the land you steward.
Our Core Purpose is to improve the health of our natural world for future generations.
Our Core Values
Collaboration
We work as a team and with partners: we know that we are stronger and more capable together.
People-centric
We treat people with respect and fairness, we strive for balance and connection, and we support individuals’ growth.
Creativity/Innovation
We boldly try new things, measure results, and learn what works best.
Scientific rigor
We use the best available science and a data-based approach.
Integrity
We do what we say we are going to do.
Our Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG)
In 25 years, Blue Ridge PRISM and our partners will reverse the spread of invasive plants in Virginia.
Where we work
Blue Ridge PRISM Inc is the first Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) headquartered in Virginia. There are approximately 100 CWMAs in the U.S., mostly in the western part of the country.
As with its western counterparts, Blue Ridge PRISM is a collaborative partnership between individuals and various private and public agencies. Partners work together in a coordinated fashion over a wide geographical area to address the threat of invasive species and to restore native habitats.
We currently serve Albemarle, Augusta, Clarke, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Nelson, Page, Rappahannock, Rockingham, and Warren counties.
Blue Ridge PRISM is committed to establishing and maintaining an inclusive and diverse team that supports our mission to improve our natural world for future generations. We recognize that many environmental challenges have disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color and economically disadvantaged populations. While we have more work to do to advance diversity and inclusion, we are dedicated to learning and growing together and in partnership with others.