Online Invasive Species Management Training Program

          Introduced invasive species are the number two threat to native plants and animals in the U.S., and cause over $150 billion in losses to the American economy, annually.  Efforts to control invasive species are piecemeal and under-funded.  Compounding the problem is a lack of trained technicians to assist with control and management efforts.  People seeking invasive species management positions generally have training in biology, forestry, agronomy, or related fields – but generally no training or field experience in controlling invasive species.

          In response to this need, Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, N.C.,  and Prince George’s Community College in Largo, MD, are exploring a collaboration to offer the first ever college-level program to train invasive species field managers.  Under this new program that was developed by Dr. Randy Westbrooks, an internationally recognized Invasive Species Prevention Specialist, students may take online courses for job training (PGCC), a Certificate of Invasive Species Management, or an Associate in Science degree in Environmental Science Technology with a second year focus in invasive species management (SCC).

Career Opportunities……….

County Agencies and Municipalities

- Cooperative Extension Service

- County Weed & Pest Departments

- City Parks Departments, etc

Federal Agencies

- USDA Forest Service

- USDA Natural Resources 

    Conservation Service

- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

- Bureau of Land Management

- National Park Service

State Agencies

- State Departments of

    Transportation

- State Departments of Agriculture

- State Departments of Natural

     Resources

Private Industry
- Landscaping Companies
- Environmental Consulting Firms
- Invasive Plant Control Companies
- Pest Control Companies    

CONTACT INFORMATION

Rebecca Westbrooks - Chair, Natural and Social Sciences

Southeastern Community College, Whiteville, NC

Phone: 910-642,7141, Ext. 291

E-mail:  rwestbrooks@sccnc.edu

Website: www.sccnc.edu

John Peter Thompson - Sustainable Workforce Training Program, Curriculum Specialist

Prince George’s Community College, Westphalia, MD

Phone: 301-440-8404

Website: http://www.pgcc.edu/default.aspx 

For questions or interest please E-mail: ipetrus@msn.com

Southeastern Community College
Prince George’s Community College
Invasive Species Management Training Program

ONLINE PROGRAM COURSES & DESCRIPTIONS

Credit Hours:
IVS 110	Introduction to Invasive Species (Internet Course)	3 Hours
	Ecology and Biology of Invasive Species, Economic Impacts, Survey of Major Invasive Species Taxa (Plants, Aquatic Nuisance Species, Insects and Diseases, Injurious Wildlife, General Management Approaches, Sociological Aspects, Ethical Considerations
IVS 210	Overview of Invasive Species Management Strategies (Internet Course)	3 Hours
	Foreign Pest Prevention, Port of Entry Exclusion, Early Detection, Survey, Containment and Eradication, Control Methods (Chemical, Cultural Mechanical, Biological), Interagency Committees and Partnerships, Weed Management Areas, Invasive Plant Task Forces, Outreach and Education.
IVS 211	Overview of Invasive Species Management Programs (Internet Course)	3 Hours
	- Federal/State Animal and Plant Regulatory Programs (USDA APHIS, State Departments of Agriculture, etc.) - Federal/State/Local Management Programs (National Park Service, California Department of Food and Agriculture, etc.) - Interagency Programs and Projects
IVS 220	Invasive Plant Survey Methods (Internet Topics, Field Studies)	4 Hours
	Detection, Delimiting, and Appraisal Survey Methods, Data Synthesis and Archival
IVS 221	Invasive Plant Control Methods (Internet Topics)	3 Hours
	Containment, Eradication and Control Methods, Equipment Operation, Care and Maintenance, Safety.
IVS 260	State Pesticide License Exam Preparation (Internet Course)	1 Hour
GIS 110	Introduction to GPS and GIS Mapping (Internet Course)	1 Hour
	Total Credits =	18 Hours

NOTE: Program Content is Subject to Change.