Conservation Scouts

Preventing the next wave of invasive plants

Calling All Hikers:
Join Blue Ridge PRISM’s Conservation Scouts

See it. Snap it. In just seconds, you can use your smartphone to help us gather data on newly arrived invasive plants. No formal training required. Use your choice of iNaturalist, EDDMaps, or Wildspotter apps — all FREE — and be an Eco-Hero while you’re out enjoying nature!

Early Detection Rapid Response “EDRR”

is the future of invasive plant control, and the future is now.

When it comes to invasive plants, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Detecting and removing newly arrived invasive plant species — BEFORE they become a full-scale infestation — is the only opportunity for eradication.

Once a new invasive plant achieves critical mass within a geography, our only options are control and management.

Here’s how YOU can help prevent the next kudzu.

It’s as easy as 1 - 2 - 3.

  • 1

    Upload your choice of app — iNaturalist, EDDMaps, or Wildspotter. All FREE to use.

  • 2

    Create your account.

  • 3

    Hit the trail and take photos of any EDRR invasive plants that you find.

The data gathered by Conservation Scouts will inform our trained and certified EDRR Conservation Rangers, whose members will coordinate eradication work.

EDRR Invasive Plants
in Virginia

See it. Snap it.

Be an Eco-Hero.
Join PRISM’s Strike Force Scouts today.

Sign up for our EDRR alerts

We will only email you when we receive notice of a newly arrived invasive plant.