PRISM BLOG
Weed Alerts | News | Stories from the Field
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The Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance
Loudoun County, Virginia—known both as the “Napa Valley of the East” and “Data Center Alley”—is now also home to what is arguably the nation’s largest grassroots invasive-plant removal movement. The Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance (LIRA), formed in 2023, is a coalition of 86 HOAs and communities representing more than 229,000 residents as of November 2025.…
Forest Lakes Stewardship Area
Organized efforts to control invasive plants within the Forest Lakes community in Albemarle County began in January 2025. That’s when long-time resident John Oliver solicited volunteers to join him…
Glenmore Stewardship Area
Glenmore’s stewardship story began in the summer of 2023 when Liza Moorman invited a trainer from Blue Ridge PRISM to meet with her and several interested residents at her home in the community…
Community Associations Survey
Do you live in an HOA, neighborhood association, condo association, or similar neighborhood? Take the survey now to help us learn more about invasive plant management across the Commonwealth.
Weed Alert: Callery Pear
Native to China, Callery pear — especially its cultivar 'Bradford' — was widely planted beginning in the 1960s. With its white flowers and attractive fall foliage, Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) was beloved by landscapers and homeowners alike…
Weed Alert: Wineberry
You can differentiate wineberry from native raspberries because of the reddish appearance of wineberry's stems (caused by a dense coat of red hairs). This makes it easy to spot in early spring before it has leafed out …
Weed Alert: Lesser Celandine
Also known as fig buttercup, lesser celandine (Ficaria verna) is native to Europe and parts of northern Africa and Asia. It was introduced to the United States in the late 1860s as an ornamental plant. Lesser celandine grows so densely and rapidly that…
Weed Alert: Asiatic Bittersweet
Because it can spread so quickly and smother almost anything in its path, Asiatic bittersweet aka Round leaf bittersweet (formerly known as Oriental bittersweet) is rapidly taking over many American forests…
Weed Alert: Burning Bush
Late October and November is a great time to identify and control invasive burning bush (Euonymus alatus) because it is easy to spot due to its bright red leaves. Because most native plants have already dropped their leaves, there is less likelihood of …
Thirteen Species Added to Virginia Invasive Plant Species List
Thirteen more species that pose a threat to Virginia’s ecosystems have been added to the Virginia Invasive Plant Species List. For the full list of 103 …
Weed Alert: Tree-of Heaven
Now is the time to identify and control this invasive tree to minimize re-growth. Check out our weed alert for more information…
New Legislation Regarding Herbicide Application
As a result of the 2024 General Assembly session, Virginia has new legislation regarding unpaid volunteers utilizing nonrestricted herbicides to treat invasive plants on properties owned by local political subdivisions. HB 320 was passed in 2024 and was incorporated …
Weed Alert: Lesser Celandine
Now is the time to identify and control this invasive plant. Check out our weed alert for more information…
