Tree Rescuers Volunteer Education Program

Join our Northern Virginia program of community volunteers
to help save our native trees from invasive non-native vines!

Please note: This is a public education program to inspire others to control invasive vines. To volunteer to do the actual vine removal, please see this page.

Does it make you sad to see trees smothered by vines?

You can do something about it!

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This is a very easy volunteer opportunity. All you need to do (after watching the video and reading the instructions) is

1. Walk around counting trees at risk from invasive vines

2. Drop off door hangers (which we will mail you) for the landowners to alert them to the problem

3. Report back to us

Note: you do not need to be able to ID vines to do this. You will easily recognize English Ivy, and if a vine is twisted round and round a tree, it is almost certainly an invasive species, as our natives don't behave like that. If its leaves are blanketing a tree, it could be invasive or native, but in a residential neighborhood it is likely to be invasive. You can just drop off the door hanger and let the homeowner figure it out.

See the Tree Rescuers Handbook for complete instructions

What if you want to also help clip invasive vines?

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There are many organizations that need volunteers to do this. These groups are well set up to train you and ensure safety. Events take place year round and always need more help. In many situations you may work independently on your own schedule as well once you are on-boarded. See the list here.

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Note: Don't cut the native vines!

Our native vines seldom injure trees and are an important food source for birds.

Look carefully before you cut!