Sep 19

Invasive Plant ID and Control

This is an elective course and provides 4 hours toward the completion of the Certificate in Native Plants program.
You do not need to be pursuing the Certificate to enroll in this class.

Registration in advance of the class is required!
CNP class sizes are limited and we often have a waitlist when they are full.

Joseph Glasscock Community Center
3653 Tom Weathers Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37415
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Sep 19, 2026 09:00am ET - Sep 19, 2026 01:00pm ET

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$40.00 - $50.00

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Class Description:

This class equips students with a clear understanding of how invasive species disrupt Tennessee Valley ecosystems—and what effective, ethical control actually looks like. We’ll explore the traits that make invasives so aggressive, learn to identify the region’s most problematic species, and compare management strategies ranging from manual removal to targeted chemical use. Students will leave with practical, site‑appropriate approaches for reducing invasive pressure and restoring space for native plant communities to thrive.

After the classroom session is over, we'll go to a long term WaterWays' restoration site at Read's Creek in the Mountain Creek watershed for on-site invasive plant identification and removal techniques.

What to bring with you:

Note taking items, snacks, water. Dress appropriately for the weather (i.e. closed toed shoes, rain jacket/umbrella, hat, sunscreen, etc.) as the class will be in and out of doors.

Registration Policy:

Registration in advance of the class is required!
CNP class sizes are limited and we often have a waitlist when they are full. Please contact us at TnValleyCNP@gmail.com to be added to a waitlist.

To give everyone the best opportunity to participate we will not accept walk ins. There is a non-refundable cancellation fee of $10, with the balance refunded if you cancel at least 7 calendar days before the class will be held. If the class is cancelled by the instructor or the CNP program, registrants will get a full refund.

Instructors:

Rosy Harpe

Rosy earned her B.S. with honors in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and returned to her roots in Chattanooga to continue her scientific ventures. She works part time at both an international water quality non-profit, WaterWays, as the Conservation Manager, and at Tierra Environmental as a contract Ecologist. Her interests lie in sustainable development, stormwater management, green infrastructure and more, with native plants at the forefront of her current research and future goals to create more ecological resilience within cities.

Don McKenzie

Don was raised in north Alabama as an avid outdoorsman. He earned Bachelors and Masters degrees in wildlife conservation at Auburn and Missouri, and has been a Certified Wildlife Biologist for 35 years. Don started his career as a waterfowl biologist in the swamps of South Carolina, then moved to Washington, DC for six years, as a conservation advocate for a national nonprofit. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission rescued him from DC, before he rejoined his former NGO a few years later as a regional field representative. Don spent years collaborating with biologists across the Southeast to craft the first-ever national restoration initiative for bobwhite quail. He soon was hired as Director of the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative for 15 years, during which he championed restoration and management of native grassland habitats for birds. He retired from the University of Tennessee/Knoxville in 2019. After retiring, Don became a Certified Pesticide Applicator, as well as a Certified Master Gardener.

Both credentials add to his ability to assist local conservation organizations with restoring and managing native habitats in southeast Tennessee. Don and his wife, Jane, enjoy birding, wildflowers, hiking, fishing, and camping. Don also plays clarinet in the Scenic City Community Orchestra.