Field Course Descriptions

Strategic Approaches | Biology & Identification | Early Detection | Mapping | Control Methods | Revegetation

We offer a variety of courses on topics essential to effective wildland weed management. Course formats are typically a combination of full-group sessions; break-out rotations of small groups for hands-on training; and Q&A sessions, which participants may use to ask for general and project-specific advice.

Strategic Approaches for Managing Invasive Plants

Strategic Approaches has been developed as the hub of our field courses, with the goal of drawing all of Cal-IPC's Wildland Weed Field Courses together. This course will provide the context for all of your weed management skills, topics will include:

• Developing goals and objectives
• Prioritizing target species
• Creating treatment plans
• Permitting requirements
• Planning for monitoring
• Integrating adaptive management

Cal-IPC will be applying for 6.0 hours of "Other" DPR continuing education credits for this course.

 

Invasive Plant Biology and Identification

Biology and ID courses provide training in the biology and reproduction of invasive plants by covering topics such as:

• Taxonomy and resources - steps to identify a plant you don't know
• Verification - where to send samples
• Vouchering techniques
• Creating your own herbarium
• Botany 101 (a hands-on look at plant parts) OR an advanced topic
• Several sessions on particular species of importance in the region

Cal-IPC has received 6.0 hours of "Other" DPR continuing education credits for all Biology & Identification courses.

 

Mapping Invasive Plants

Mapping courses cover three field mapping methods well-suited to the diverse parameters of weed mapping projects. Participants follow these methods from field data collection to data analysis and map creation to emerge with conceptual and applied understandings of each type of mapping method, including:

• Low tech mapping: Point data collection (e.g. Garmin)
• Medium tech mapping: Trimble Geoexplore and PDAs
• High tech mapping: Tablet PC with GPS

 

Control Methods

Control Methods are the heart of Cal-IPC's field courses, teaching you how to manage invasive weed populations with greater effectiveness and efficiency. Over the years we've developed four courses, from our generalized introduction to the control tools to advanced courses.

Control Methods | Integrated Control | Advanced Mechanical Control | Herbicide Control

Invasive Plant Control Methods

Control courses provide hands-on, practical demonstrations of weed control methods, taught by invasive weed experts with years of on-the-ground experience. Participants can expect to emerge with a deeper understanding of and ability to implement all major control approaches, including:

• Mechanical methods, including hand tools, mowing, weed whipping, chainsaws, weed wrench, girdling, flaming, tarping, and solarization, as well as safety, sanitation, maintenance
• Chemical control, including formulations, modes of action, selectivity, adjuvants, herbaceous plants; spray to wet, low volume, thin line, wick, woody plants; basal bark, cut stump, hack and squirt, safe use of herbicides, and calibration of spray equipment
• Cultural control strategies, including grazing, burning, mulching
• Biological control strategies
• Integrating control strategies

Cal-IPC has received 6.0 hours of "Other" DPR continuing education credits for all Control Methods courses.

 

Integrated Control Methods

Integrated control methods looks at using multiple control methods for greater invasive weed control. Topics covered include:

• A review of all control methods: mechanical, chemical, cultural, and biological
• In-depth instruction on controlling multiple species
• Field site examples of integrated control projects
• Prevention strategies to reduce reinvasion

Cal-IPC has received 6.5 hours of "Other" DPR continuing education credits for each day of this course.

 

Advanced Mechanical Control Methods for Invasive Plants

Cal-IPC's advanced mechanical control course provides hands-on, practical demonstrations of mechanical weed control methods for woody plants, taught by leading invasive weed experts. Participants can expect to engage with instructors about their project and specific needs and to emerge with a deeper understanding of and ability to implement mechanical control approaches, including:

• Hand tool use and maintenance
• Power tools including: weed whipping, chainsaws, and mowers
• Personal safety
• Utilizing Large Equipment
• Cutting Edge Technologies
• Tool maintenance including sharpening and proper storage, and
• Effective use of space when packing a work vehicle

Cal-IPC has requested 8.0 hours of "Other" DPR continuing education credits for this course.

 

Herbicide Control Methods for Invasive Plants

The Herbicide Control Methods courses will provide in depth instruction on herbicidal control theory, as well as practical demonstrations of control methods taught by leading invasive weed experts. Participants can expect to emerge with a deeper understanding of and ability to implement herbicidal control approaches, including:

• Principles of Chemical Control:
    Formulations and modes of action
    Selectivity and adjuvants
• Forb and grass species control
• Riparian and aquatic plant species control
• Woody plant species control
• Calibration of spray equipment, including hands on activity
• Laws and Regulations

Cal-IPC has requested 1.0 hour of “Laws & Regulations”, and 5.0 hours of "Other" DPR continuing education credits.

 

Revegetation Techniques

Learn about the importance of integrating active revegetation into your land managmeent program, including:

• Project planning and design
• Species selection & propagation methods
• Planting design, timing & establishment techniques
• Site evaluation and preparation
• Maintenance and monitoring

At our first revegetation field course, participants visited an active revegetation site, where the land managers had recently celebrated planting their one millionth native plant. Restored habitats included 400 acres of forest and 165 acres of grassland. The site provided a great demonstration of multiple stages of revegetation, from recently planted to over 10 years old.

Cal-IPC has received 6.0 hours of "Other" DPR continuing education credits for our Revegetation Techniques course.

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In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

• U.S. Code: (42 USC 2000d-2000c); Statute: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of: Race, Color or National Origin
• U.S. Code: (20 USC 1681-1686); Statute: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of: Sex in educational programs and activities
• U.S. Code: (42 USC 1601 et seq.); Statute: Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of: Age
• U.S. Code: (29 USC 794); Statute: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of: Disability