The effort to purge unwanted non-native plants from the Point Reyes National Seashore is enlisting new recruits—sharp-eyed hikers who train to be “Weed Watchers.”

The Weed Watcher program was introduced last year, and attracted about 40 participants. More are being sought this summer, and the first training sessions for the season were held last week. Weed Watcher coordinator Natalie How explains how they are structured.

Check here for details on upcoming weed watcher training sessions.

Weed Watcher Volunteers map capeweed (Arctotheca calendula) along the Coastal Trail in the Marin Headlands. Below, two views of the prolific, toxic and unwanted Star Thistle.