This four week course offered on Saturdays, Jan. 10 to 31 from 9:30 to 12:30 p.m. and taught by Jen Werner, will include information on how and why pests become invasive, and the governmental agencies and working groups that help determine an organisms’ “invasive status” and the regulations around controlling their spread. Participants will take a deeper dive into several newer invasive introductions to our area, including identification, hosts, and control or mitigation methods. Learn strategies to stay abreast of new Invasive Introductions, and how to think about choosing the best techniques to avoid, prevent, or control invasive species at your particular site or situation.  A review of general concepts regarding pest control strategies, pest life cycles, and clues to identify pest type will be included. 

Jen Werner has taught at the Vocational High School level and at Springfield Technical Community College, as well as leading trainings for Master Gardeners and classes for garden clubs and garden centers. Her hands-on experience ranges from landscape maintenance, construction and design, greenhouse management and production, nursery work, horticulture therapy and entrepreneurship. Jen is a NOFA Certified Organic Landcare Professional, and recently earned a UMASS Invasive Plant Management Certificate.