Volunteer monitoring of nonindigenous invasive plant species in the Adirondack Park, New York, USA

The Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy conducted a volunteer moni toring program for nonindigenous invasive plant species in the Adirondack P ark of New York State, USA. Volunteers determined the presence and approxim ate distribution of 13 nonindigenous invasive plant species along all major roadways in the western section of the park. White sweet-clover (Melilotus alba Medikus), Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica [Houtt.] Ronse Decraen e = Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. gr Zucc. per Gleason and Cronquist 1991), an d fly and Tartarian honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii A. Gray., L. tatarica L. ) were the most commonly observed species; garlic mustard (Alliaria petiola ta [Bieb.] Cavara & Grande) and black swallow-wort (Cynanchum nigrum [L.] P ers. = Vincetoxicum nigrum [L.] Moench per Gleason and Cronquist 1991) were rarely observed or absent along park roadways. Other species, including Ru ssian and autumn olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L., E. umbellata Thunb.), pu rple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.), common reed (Phragmites australis [Cav.] Steud.), common and glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L., R. fran gula L.), and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), were observed at inte rmediate frequencies along roadsides. Nature Conservancy staff have used re sults of the survey to prioritize management actions and to initiate discus sion among nonprofit and government organizations about a coordinated appro ach to nonindigenous invasive plant species monitoring and management withi n the Adirondacks. In addition, a core group of highly skilled volunteers w as established, many of whom are expanding their work to include additional invasive species monitoring and control efforts. We identified a number of procedures that should be used when volunteers conduct monitoring programs , including defining appropriate goals for volunteers and agencies, designi ng data collection and management systems, and providing volunteer support.