EDRR Strike Force
Preventing the next wave of invasive plants
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.
Calling All Hikers:
Join Blue Ridge PRISM’s Strike Force 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!
It’s as easy as 1 - 2 - 3.
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1
Upload your choice of app — iNaturalist, EDDMaps, or Wildspotter. All FREE to use.
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2
Create your account.
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3
Hit the trail and take photos of any EDRR invasive plants that you find.
The data gathered by Strike Force Scouts will inform our trained and certified EDRR Strike Force, whose members will coordinate eradication work.
EDRR Invasive Plants
in Virginia
See it. Snap it.
Autumn fern
Blackberry lily
Butterfly bush
Christmas berry
Cogon grass
Common milkpea
Crowdipper
Fountain grass
Giant hogweed
Himalayan balsam
Incised fumewort
Italian arum
Japanese chaff flower
Java water-dropwort
Leatherleaf mahonia
Narrow-leaved bittercress
Ravenna grass
Two-horned trapa
Wall barley
Water hyacinth
Coming in 2026:
Blue Ridge PRISM’s EDRR Strike Force
Trained and certified members of Blue Ridge PRISM EDRR Strike Force will analyze the data gathered by Strike Force Scouts and coordinate the eradication of newly arrived invasive plants. All removal work will be done with permission from public land authorities and under the supervision of licensed commercial applicators.
Check back here for updates!
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.
