The Invasive Species Management (ISM) team of the James River Park System is often asked if there are more ways to get involved with invasive plant removal, whether there are volunteer opportunities at various times or if it is permissible to pull up English Ivy when walking in the park.

In response to community interest and the need to relieve the park of these smothering plants, the ISM team, in consultation with multiple other partners, has been developing a specialized volunteer training program called Habitat Heroes that trains, mobilizes and authorizes community members to work voluntarily and independently in the removal of certain invasive plants from designated areas of the James River Park System.

The program welcomes individuals 18 years and older that have participated in multiple public volunteer invasive plant removal events with the James River Park System and demonstrated the potential to continue doing such work with less supervision. They receive several additional hours of more intensive orientation and training, are assessed for their plant identification and field work practices and commit to volunteering a minimum number of hours within a year of service.