How to Prepare for Standard Survey Plant ID:
- Sign up for in-person training at our Invasives Strike Force workshops.
- Download the Full Standard Plant ID Guide (PDF) and the Quick ID Guide or click the links on the table below to learn about the plants.
- View and listen to this presentation from previous years’ training (covers the original plant list only): Training Presentation (requires free Flash Plug-in)
- Watch these videos from previous years training:
Shrubs, vines, herbs and grass (YouTube)
| Standard Species | CODE | Common Name | Type |
| Acer platanoides | ACPL | Norway maple | Tree |
| Ailanthus altissima | AIAL | Tree-of-heaven | Tree |
| Elaeagnus umbellata | ELUM | Autumn olive | Sm. Tree |
| Aralia elata | AREL8 | Japanese Angelica | Tree |
| Berberis thunbergii | BETH | Japanese barberry | Shrub |
| Euonymus alatus | EUAL | Winged Euonymus | Shrub |
| Rose multiflora | ROMU | Multiflora rose | Shrub |
| Rubus phoenicolasius | RUPH | Wineberry | Shrub |
| Persicaria perfoliata | POPE10 | Mile-a-minute | Vine |
| Celastrus orbiculatus | CEOR | Oriental bittersweet | Vine |
| Lonicera japonica | LOJA | Japanese honeysuckle | Vine |
| Reynoutria japonica | REJA2 | Japanese knotweed | Herb |
| Alliaria petiolata | ALPE | Garlic mustard | Herb |
| Microstegium vimineum | MIVI | Japanese stiltgrass | Grass |
How to Prepare for Intermediate Survey Plant ID:
- The next set of plants are species that are just starting to become invasive in our area but are known to be invasive elsewhere. These plants are “emerging” invasives.
- Sign up for in-person training at one of our Intermediate Surveyor workshops.
- Download the Intermediate Survey Plant ID Guide and the Quick ID Guide
| Intermediate Species | CODE | Common Name | Type |
| Rhamnus cathartica | RHCA3 | Common buckthorn | Tree |
| Alnus glutinosa | ALGL2 | European alder | Tree |
| Viburnum dilatatum | VIDI80 | Linden viburnum | Shrub |
| Viburnum sieboldii | VISI | Siebold’s viburnum | Shrub |
| Lonicera spp. | LONIC | Bush honeysuckles | Shrub |
| Ligustrum spp. | LIGUS2 | Privet | Shrub |
| Rhodotypos scandens | RHSC3 | Jetbead | Shrub |
| Wisteria spp. | WIST | Japanese/Chinese wisterias | Vine, Woody |
| Ampelopsis brevipedunculata | AMBR | Porcelainberry | Vine, Woody |
| Vincetoxicum nigrum | CYLO11 | Black swallowwort | Vine, Herb |
| Lespedeza cuneata | LECU | Chinese bush-clover | Forbe |
Collecting Your Data
Protocols for the 2018 season remain the same as 2011-2017.
Plant data collection methods
Data Collection Methods (PDF) – Be sure to bring this handy guide on the trail.
Data Sheets (to Print)
Volunteer Time Record (PDF) – It is important to us to track the hours our volunteers give to us since this time can count as “match” for grants. You can use this form to track your hours.
Standard Survey Data Sheet (PDF) – You should be armed with ten (10) of these! You may not need them all, but better to be safe. Feel free to print double-sided.
Intermediate Survey Data Sheet (PDF)
Standard and Intermediate Combined Data Sheet (PDF)
How to Take Photos of Plants
A Guide to Plant Photography (Powerpoint presentation)
Returning Your Data
Read the Instructions for Returning your Data (PDF).
Download the Standard Data Submission Form spreadsheet (XLS) to type in your data
Intermediate: If you surveyed for Intermediate species, EVEN IF YOU DIDN’T FIND ANY, use one of the following spreadsheets to report your data:
- Combined Standard/Intermediate Data Submission Form spreadsheet (XLS) if you surveyed for both sets of species.
- Intermediate Data Submission Form spreadsheet (XLS) if you only surveyed for Intermediate species.
Contact or visit the Trail Conference Office to return your borrowed GPS unit.