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Managing and Controlling Invasive Plants

Each NRTG course includes free, lifetime admission. Enrol once – come back anytime.

Description

NRTG’s Managing and Controlling Invasive Plants is a three-day course that equips you with the knowledge and practical skills to identify, control, and manage invasive plant species in restoration contexts. Through interactive instruction and applied learning, you will examine the ecological and legal dimensions of invasive species in Canada and develop competency in control and recovery methods. 

The course covers ecological and legal classifications of invasive species, their impacts on biodiversity, resource availability, and native species, and how they spread through landscapes. You will compare mechanical, chemical, and biological control methods, identify prevention strategies for restoration sites, and determine appropriate approaches to restore native plant communities through natural regeneration or assisted recovery. 

Graduates will leave with a solid understanding of invasive plant management and native plant recovery and the practical foundations to support their work in restoration contexts. Completing this course counts towards Habitat Restoration Technician Program certification once the remaining courses are completed.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be able to:   

  1. Define ecological and legal classifications of invasive species in Canada.  
  2. Describe the ecological impacts of invasive plant species. 
  3. Compare and evaluate common mechanical, chemical, and biological control methods for invasive plant species.  
  4. Explain how invasive plant species spread and identify effective strategies to prevent their spread in restoration projects.  
  5. Determine appropriate methods to restore native plant communities, including natural regeneration or assisted recovery (seeding/planting). 

Certification 

This course is assessed on attendance, assignments, and participation. To earn your certificate of completion you must meet all three requirements: 

  • Attendance: 90% of course time 
  • Assignments: Average 70% across assignments 
  • Participation: Average 60% across the course days 

Your certificate of completion is required to claim your SER CECs and count towards your Habitat Restoration Technician Program certification.

Prerequisites

No formal credentials required to register. A basic understanding of field practices (e.g., plant identification, wildlife signs, experience around running water) and ecosystem functions is recommended.  

If you are starting from scratch, consider completing NRTG’s Environmental Field Skills Program or Land Guardian Program. Either will give you a solid foundation before you begin the course. 

Who attends?

This course is for you if you work in natural areas affected by invasive plants and want practical training in identification, control, and native plant recovery. You are a good fit if you:  

  • Work on or near land, water, or ecosystems as part of your job or community role  
  • Are an Indigenous land guardian, watchman, or community member involved in stewarding your territory  
  • Work in environmental consulting, natural resources, or industry and need applied restoration skills  
  • Have field experience but no formal restoration training and want credentials to back it up  
  • Are looking to move into restoration work and need a recognized certification to get started 

What should I bring or supply? 

You will need: 

  • Computer 
  • Stable internet access 
  • Pen and paper
  • Mobile phone or camera for photographs 

Instructor Profiles

Charity Blaney, M.Sc., Wildlife Ecologist 

Charity has spent the last several years studying long toed salamander ecology in the Rocky Mountains of Southwestern Alberta. Her career stems from a passion for all things nature which began at an early age roaming the forests, rivers, and mountains of Northern British Columbia. Before university, she worked as a wilderness mountain guide and thrived being surrounded by wildlife such as wolves, grizzly bears, and wolverines for weeks at a time, always wanting to know more about how they lived. Since then she has studied rainforest plants from a remote field station in Brazil, worked for a number of municipalities in invasive plant control, taught ecology labs at the University of Calgary, and botany and forest ecology at Northern Lights College. She loves her work as an instructor with NRTG for the opportunity to share her interests with others.   

 

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