VT News

Articles and videos from VT News that highlight invasive species  research, education, & engagement

Spongy moth

Hot off the press

Dr. Jacob Barney conducting field work

March 7, 2025

Jacob Barney, professor of invasive plant ecology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has been appointed by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of the Secretary to serve a two-year term on the Invasive Species Advisory Committee.
Overgrown patch of kudzu

February 24, 2025

As part of National Invasive Species Awareness Week, the Invasive Species Collaborative at Virginia Tech has several experts available to speak about biological invasions.
Attendees at the Rapidan River tree of heaven removal workshop received hands-on instruction in invasive species control. Photo courtesy of Anne Marie Pfaff.

February 6, 2025

Anyone with invasive plants or insects in their garden knows how frustrating these pests can be. Anne Marie Pfaff, a Rapidan River Extension Master Gardener with plenty of experience fighting invasives, has this advice: Don’t give up.

Media archive

Video highlight

Gabrielle Ripa, a Ph.D. student at Virginia Tech and an affiliate of the Invasive Species Collaborative, is studying invasive non-native plant species in restored and unrestored streams in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay watershed. Ripa is placing bioacoustic recorders at various locations, and the data will be used to analyze the effect invasive plants have on the soundscape of an ecosystem.