Protecting Woods & Waterways

UVLT is partnering with the Vermont Chapter of the Nature Conservancy to combat invasive plant species and educate landowners about the threats they pose to native ecosystems. Landowners on the Vermont side of the Upper Valley may be particularly interested to learn of this initiative.

The Vermont Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, GreenWorks: Vermont Nursery and Landscaping Association and the Vermont Invasive Exotic Plant Committee have partnered to develop PlantWise Vermont, a Voluntary Code of Conduct for horticultural professionals working in the state.

Under this agreement, participating nurseries, landscapers, landscape architects and designers have voluntarily committed to discontinue the sale, propagation and/or installation of Japanese and Common barberry, Norway maple, Burning bush, Yellow iris, Amur maple and all cultivars of these species.

These plant species, among many others, are known to be invasive in Vermont and easily spread throughout the landscape, threatening the health and diversity of our state’s treasured ecology.

Businesses that agree to the PlantWise Vermont’s Voluntary Code of Conduct will be recognized with a lawn sign and window decals, which can be displayed at their place of business and on their vehicles. They will also be listed on the Conservancy website.

For horticultural professionals, this is a great opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to protecting Vermont’s woods and waterways. For gardeners, encourage the horticulturalists in your area to sign on to the PlantWise Voluntary Code of Conduct. The more who sign on, the greater the impact will be.

Click here for a PDF of the Voluntary Code of Conduct.

To learn more about invasive plants in Vermont, go to the Gallery of Invaders from the Vermont Invasive Exotic Plant Committee.

To learn more about Vermont’s state quarantine rule for invasive species, go the Vermont Department of Agriculture, Food & Markets Quarantine #3 – Noxious Weeds.