What is the Weed Watcher Program?
The Weed Watcher Program is a hands-on class that teaches the basic skills needed to identify aquatic plants. For any public group that requests a class, the Lakes and Ponds Program brings in various live plant specimens for participants to observe and identify. All necessary educational materials are provided for participants to take home.
The class usually follows this structure:
- Introduction – Learn why monitoring lakes and ponds is important for protecting waterbodies.
- Materials Review – Review the educational materials and learn how to use them independently.
- Hands-On Experience – Practice identifying the live specimens with guidance from Lakes and Ponds staff.
Classes typically last up to 2 hours: the first hour covers the importance of monitoring and using the resources, and the second hour focuses on hands-on learning and questions. By the end of the class, participants gain basic knowledge of plant structures, identification strategies, and vocabulary needed to monitor waterbodies effectively.
Why Request a Class?
Educating the public about invasive species and how they spread is one of the best ways to protect Massachusetts lakes and ponds. By learning to detect invasive plants early, participants can help prevent new infestations from becoming established. Early detection increases the chance that invasive plants can be eradicated before they spread, saving both ecological value and costs.
Even if your waterbody already has invasive plants, learning to identify aquatic plants helps you:
- Monitor changes in your lake’s condition.
- Prevent the spread of invasive species to other waterbodies.
- Practice effective lake stewardship, including vessel decontamination.
- Educate other users about protecting the lake.
When Can You Request a Class?
Classes require live plant specimens, so they must be scheduled during the growing season. To ensure enough species are available, classes are scheduled between the last week of May and the end of September, based on staff availability and on a first-come, first-served basis.
You can request a class at any time of year to plan ahead, as long as the dates fall within this window and are available.
What You Need to Request a Class
Before submitting a request, discuss the following requirements with your group:
- Classes are held during normal business hours, starting no later than 2 PM, Monday through Thursday.
- You must provide a public location (no private homes).
- The location must have running water or a bathroom with a sink.
- Enough tables and chairs must be available for participants.
- Dates must fall between the last week of May and the end of September.
- Group size should be 5–20 participants.
Lakes and Ponds staff provide all live specimens, educational materials, and other supplies needed for the class. Participants are also encouraged to bring any plants from their waterbodies that they want help identifying.