Teachers to learn about non-native and invasive plants

June 8, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Twenty-four teachers from around the state will attend a one-of-a-kind professional development workshop about Florida’s native, non-native, and invasive plants, starting June 12 at the University of Florida.

PLANT CAMP 2011 is an intensive five-day event hosted by the Florida Invasive Plant Education Initiative, UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants and made possible by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission/Invasive Plant Management Section.

The objective is to provide teachers with expanded content knowledge and laboratory/field experience in the area of aquatic and upland plant biology and ecology with special emphasis on invasive plants.

Participants witness the impact invasive plants are having on Florida’s economy and ecology and also learn new investigative techniques and instructional methods for teaching the topic. The goal is to give teachers the inspiration and confidence to share their new knowledge with students and colleagues upon their return to the classroom next year and beyond.

The Florida Invasive Plant Education Initiative is the first of its kind to provide such in-service training for Florida science teachers on the subject of aquatic and upland invasive plants.

Upper elementary, middle and high school teachers throughout the state compete for the limited number of spaces available for this popular annual workshop held at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Participants are chosen by a committee of science teachers and UF/IFAS CAIP staff based on evidence of interest and achievements in teaching the topic to students and colleagues.