Eleven years ago when we formed the Invasive Plant Task Force, our vision for the park system included an invasive management program that didn’t completely rely on volunteers and became part of the park system’s essential operations. Last year marked a milestone in striving toward that goal with the publishing of the JRPS Natural Resource Management Plan and the hiring of an invasive management program coordinator with natural resource management planning experience, Cat McGuigan.
The task force and the ISM team are collaborative partners in the mission to improve the ecological health of the park system through strategic invasive species management. Manchester Climbing Wall is a striking example of what a dedicated staff team with management expertise and experience can achieve. Cat McGuigan recently described this uniquely Richmond project for Friends of James River Park: Manchester Climbing Wall Update.