Weed board offering invasive plant training

NEWPORT — Want to learn to identify invasive plants and report your findings?

The Pend Oreille County Noxious Weed Board is partnering with the Kalispel Natural Resources Department and Pacific Northwest Invasive Plant Council to host an Early Detection, Rapid Response training on Aug. 11.

This is a free, 2.5- to 3-hour training with an optional group hike where participants will learn how to identify invasive plants, how to record basic data and how to report findings on EDDMapS, a national early detection reporting system used by most federal, state and county agencies.

Participants will learn plant identification through in-person training — a virtual option is available as well — and learn methods of manual removal for certain species, as well as which species you should not attempt to remove. Plant identification will focus on both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species. Following the indoor training, you can put your new identification and reporting skills to the test with a walk at Manresa Grotto, which is located about a mile north of the Camas Center where the indoor training will be held.

Pesticide license recertification credits will be available for Washington, Idaho & Oregon license holders. Snacks will be available; however, it is suggested that participants bring lunch, water and sunscreen if they plan to participate in the hike.

This training will be held on Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Camas Center for Community Wellness in Usk, Wash., with the hike at Manresa Grotto at 12:30 p.m. Online registration is required by going to bit.ly/3NWZAZo.