Park Authority

CONTACT INFORMATION: Open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
703-324-8700 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
Jai Cole
Executive Director

Department Resources

Related Resources

Invasive Management Area Program

ima program

An IMA volunteer group shows the bagged results of a day's workThe Invasive Management Area (IMA) Volunteer Program is a community project that aims to reduce invasive plants in our parks. Through IMA, you will help protect the native plants and wildlife of Fairfax County’s natural areas. You will spend time outdoors, meet new people and help heal native habitats.

“For me, IMA is about people of all socio-demographic backgrounds who share a passion for volunteering to protect Fairfax County parks.”

About IMA

Invasive plants are non-native species that were introduced on purpose or by accident from other regions of the world, or the country. Invasive plants can tolerate a range of habitats and grow almost anywhere. For example, Japanese Stiltgrass, Microstegium vimineum, can produce seed in as little as 1% sunlight. Invasive plants often produce huge amounts of seed or have roots that spread aggressively. They compete with native species for nutrients, sunlight and water, eventually reducing native populations.In some cases, they can even eliminate a native species from a community altogether.

Some invasive plants have more complicated effects on the food chain that lead to fewer native birds and less wildlife. Invasive plants are linked to the decline of the songbird population because scientists have found that the berries of invasive shrubs are “junk food” for birds. They are also tied to the potential extinction of other species. For example, the West Virginia white butterfly is threatened because the butterflies confuse their native host plant with invasive Garlic Mustard, and eggs laid on Garlic Mustard cannot survive.

Invasive Garlic Mustard in Flower
Invasive Garlic Mustard in Flower

 

  • Gather community support and momentum to protect natural areas and trees from non-native invasive plants
  • Educate the public about the effects of non-native invasive plants
  • Engage the community through outreach on non-native invasive plants. Create and protect healthy habitats, such as meadows and forests, that are free of invasive plant species

ima goals

The IMA project started in 2006 with 20 site leaders. Since then, more than 150 acres have come under IMA management, and there are now 65 sites and 75 IMA site leaders across the county. Find your closest site and make an impact!

Click Infographic and Map to enlarge

ima infographic

IMA's Impact Infographic

IMA site map

IMA Sites Map

difficult run before
Before: Invasive Japanese Barberry’s fast-growing and dense foliage takes over the forest at Difficult Run Stream Valley Park.
difficult run after
After: IMA volunteers removed the invasive barberry, and over time, native ferns were able to regrow in the area!

Invasive Management Area funding is provided by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in support of the board’s Environmental Agenda. In 2025, the Park Authority, a core member of the National Capital - Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (Nat-Cap PRISM) received a grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry to support the invasive species program. The IMA program also is supported in part by the Fairfax County Park Foundation.

To learn how private and corporate donations help restore parkland habitat, please visit the Park Foundation website.

Volunteer

Invasive plants prevent us from enjoying the forests. They degrade natural ecosystems. Some of them, like multiflora rose, can completely outcompete a section of woods and block out everything else.

However, invasive species can be managed. The IMA Program removes invasive species and replaces them with native plants.

Youth, adults, scouts, and groups all welcome—earn community service hours with IMA! Even a few hours on a single day makes a difference.

Find a Volunteer Workday here. If you do not see a date that works for you, please contact the IMA Volunteer Coordinator who will happily help place your group. 

Volunteer FAQ

  • Yes! Registration for IMA workdays must be submitted by 3 p.m. on the Friday prior to a weekend workday and by Noon on the day prior to a weekday workday.
  • After you register, you will receive an email confirmation from the IMA Volunteer Site Leader with details about the site location and workday activities.

  • The minimum age to volunteer is 11, however there are occasional opportunities where younger children can participate. Please contact the IMA Volunteer Coordinator for details.
  • Volunteers 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult, unless approved by the IMA Volunteer Site Leader for the specific workday.

  • Please bring the form to be signed to your workday, and the IMA Site Leader will approve it.

  • Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, long pants and long sleeves. Bring water. Tools and gloves are provided.

Questions about invasive plants?

Questions about volunteering?


Other Ways to Get Involved

invasive management area this not that

  • Control, remove and properly dispose of invasive plants on your property to prevent spread to nearby parkland.
  • Reduce the spread of invasive seeds: clean boots, boats and gear before exploring new areas. Stay on trails and keep your pets on leash.
  • Encourage environmentally responsible landscaping in your neighborhood, HOA, garden club, place of work or place of worship. 
  • Become a community scientist! Report invasive (and native) species sightings with iNaturalist
  • Save trees from being strangled by invasive vines. Sign up for the Fairfax County Park Authority Tree Rescuers program.
  • Become a plant detective! Find and slow the spread of newly arrived invasives through the Early Detection and Rapid Response program.
  • Can't make it out into the parks to volunteer? Donate to help sustain this primarily volunteer-based program.

Taking Back the Forest

View this StoryMap created by two IMA Site Leaders using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to learn more about how the IMA Program works. 



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