Join Acadia National Park

Backyard Stewards Workshop Series

In Acadia National Park, scientists and resource managers work hard to slow the spread of invasive plants. But plants don’t stop at park boundaries. These invasive species can be found all over Mount Desert Island, from roadsides to landscaped gardens.

Join Friends of Acadia and partners in this summer workshop series to learn how to identify and remove key invasive plants on Mount Desert Island and support local biodiversity. Whether you’re a beginner botanist or ready to get your hands dirty, everyone is welcome to participate.

Learn more about backyard stewards

2026 Workshops

Backyard Stewards Invasive Plant Identification Workshop

Date: Saturday, June 6
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Neighborhood House, 1 Kimball Road, Northeast Harbor

Some of the most common invasive shrubs found in Acadia were introduced as ornamental plants and still thrive in landscaped yards and gardens across Mount Desert Island. One of the best things you can do to help stop the spread of invasive plants is to learn how to tell them apart from other plants Become a Backyard Steward and join Friends of Acadia and Acadia National Park Vegetation Manager, Jesse Wheeler to learn techniques and tools for identifying these invasive plants in your own backyard.

Registration for this event is required and will open May 11.

Register beginning May 11

 

 

Backyard Stewards Invasive Plant Removal Workshop

Date: Saturday, July 25
Time: We’re finalizing details! Check back for exact times.
Location: Ledgelawn

Join Friends of Acadia and Acadia National Park Vegetation Manager Jesse Wheeler to learn how to remove invasive plants like Japanese knotweed, Japanese barberry, and glossy buckthorn. Participants will spend time learning about specific tools and techniques to remove these plants, before spending the remainder of the workshop practicing their new skills.

Please bring work gloves, a water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. Please wear long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy, closed-toed shoes.

Registration for this event is required. Stay tuned for registration open date.

 

 

Backyard Stewards Invasive Plant Removal Workshop

Date: Thursday, August 20
Time: We’re finalizing details! Check back for exact times.
Location: Stone Barn Farm Preserve, Crooked Road, Bar Harbor

Join Friends of Acadia and Maine Coast Heritage Trust for this Backyard Stewards event to learn how to remove invasive plants like Asiatic bittersweet and others. Participants will spend time learning about specific tools and techniques to remove these plants, before spending the remainder of the workshop practicing their new skills.

Please bring work gloves, a water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. Please wear long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy, closed-toed shoes.

Registration for this event is required. Stay tuned for registration open date.

 

Additional Resources

Backyard Stewards Main Page Invasive Plant Identification Email Sign-Up Participation Survey (Share Your Thoughts!)