City of Edmonton - Volunteer Weed Pull Program

Join the City of Edmonton's Invasive Plant Outreach Team in your favourite parks throughout the City. Together, we will tackle invasive plants and make room for native vegetation to thrive. Our staff will provide education on plant identification, invasive plant management and about the importance of biodiversity.

Common buckthorn is a prohibited noxious shrub that is prolific in Edmonton's River Valley. Because of it's widespread range in Edmonton, managing it can be a tricky issue. This year, Invasive Plant Outreach will be trialing a new approach to controlling the new growth and spread of buckthorn. Which includes pruning in spring and defoliating (remove the leaves) the plant in the fall.

Join the City of Edmonton's Invasive Plant Outreach Team in your favourite parks throughout the City. Together, we will tackle invasive plants and make room for native vegetation to thrive. Our staff will provide education on plant identification, invasive plant management and about the importance of biodiversity.

What to expect at a Weed Pull Event: 

At each of our events, volunteers will learn about invasive plants and how they impact biodiversity. We will introduce one or two specific invasive plant species that are common in the area. Once shown how to identify these, volunteers will be given gloves and tools and we will remove these invasive plants. Part way through the event, we will take a break where snacks and juice are provided. When we near the end of our time together, we will sow some native plant seeds which will help prevent invasive plants from recolonizing the area. 

What we expect from our volunteers: 

While we do not require training before the event, volunteers must thoroughly read pre-event communications about where to meet and what to wear and bring. This is important for your safety! We ask everyone to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and long pants, and to bring a water bottle.

Specific site information will be shared for each location to help volunteer accessibility.

If you would like to bring a friend of family member, please let us know via email. Although there is no minimum age for volunteers, we ask that anyone under 15 is accompanied by an adult. 

If you have questions at any time, please reach out to invasiveweeds@edmonton.ca 

Join the City of Edmonton's Invasive Plant Outreach Team in your favourite parks throughout the City. Together, we will tackle invasive plants and make room for native vegetation to thrive. Our staff will provide education on plant identification, invasive plant management and about the importance of biodiversity.

What to expect at a Weed Pull Event: 

At each of our events, volunteers will learn about invasive plants and how they impact biodiversity. We will introduce one or two specific invasive plant species that are common in the area. Once shown how to identify these, volunteers will be given gloves and tools and we will remove these invasive plants. Part way through the event, we will take a break where snacks and juice are provided. When we near the end of our time together, we will sow some native plant seeds which will help prevent invasive plants from recolonizing the area. 

What we expect from our volunteers: 

While we do not require training before the event, volunteers must thoroughly read pre-event communications about where to meet and what to wear and bring. This is important for your safety! We ask everyone to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and long pants, and to bring a water bottle.

Specific site information will be shared for each location to help volunteer accessibility.

If you would like to bring a friend of family member, please let us know via email. Although there is no minimum age for volunteers, we ask that anyone under 15 is accompanied by an adult. 

If you have questions at any time, please reach out to invasiveweeds@edmonton.ca.