NEW HOPE GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Invasive Plant Detectives: Hands‑On ID and Nonchemical Control at Bowman's Hill
A three‑hour, expert‑led session on identifying common Delaware Valley invasives and learning eco‑friendly control alternatives at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve.
Invasive Plant Detectives: Hands‑On ID and Nonchemical Control at Bowman's Hill.
On a summer Saturday at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, a small cohort gathers to learn what makes a plant 'invasive,' how these exotics alter local ecosystems, and how to manage them without relying on chemicals. The Knowing Native Plants session pairs field identification with practical control techniques and the larger case for native planting in the Delaware Valley.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Mary Anne Borge: naturalist, photographer, educator
The program is led by Mary Anne Borge, a naturalist, photographer, author and educator who edits Butterfly Gardener Magazine and serves as an instructor at Bowman's Hill. Her local experience and visual approach anchor the session's identification work and practical guidance.
Identify the most troublesome invasives in the Delaware Valley
Participants learn to recognize the common invasive species that most threaten regional plant communities, with emphasis on traits, seasonal cues and where these plants appear in local habitats.
Nonchemical control options and alternatives
The session covers several alternatives for controlling invasive plants—many approaches that avoid the use of chemicals—so land stewards can choose methods that fit their sites and conservation goals.
What the day feels like
What the session feels like
This is a guided, classroom‑meets‑field session: expect close visual study of plants, side‑by‑side comparisons of natives and nonnatives, and a practical conversation about management techniques. The pace is educational and hands‑on, designed to equip participants with identification skills and control options they can apply at home or on community projects.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most out of this program.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The session runs three hours; consult the preserve for start time and any schedule updates.
Meet at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve for the orientation and departure onto the preserve grounds.
No specific gear list was provided in the verified program details; check with Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve for recommended clothing or materials for the field component.
This session is part of the annual Knowing Native Plants series and is one of the recurring programs that feed into the Native Plant Advocate curriculum.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What is an invasive plant?
An invasive plant is an exotic species that spreads in ways that harm native plant communities and ecosystem function; the session covers the defining traits of such species in the Delaware Valley.
What problems do invasive plants cause?
Invasive plants can displace native species and alter habitats; the class addresses these ecological impacts and how they manifest locally.
Who leads the program?
The session is taught by Mary Anne Borge, a naturalist, photographer, author and educator who is an instructor at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve and editor of Butterfly Gardener Magazine.
How long is the session?
The program is three hours in duration.
Are chemical controls part of the instruction?
The course covers several control alternatives and notes many options that avoid the use of chemicals.
Is this part of a series?
Yes — the program is part of the annual Knowing Native Plants series, which features multiple Saturday classes and feeds into the Native Plant Advocate Program.