This training is limited to 20 students, so once I have created the registration form, I will send it out to those on my mailing list and give them first priority.
What: Invader Terminator Basic Training Program
Where: Crowley Museum and Nature Center (16405 Myakka Rd, Sarasota)
When: Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM
Cost: $10 p/student; $5 p/adult (please limit the number of adults in your party to just one).
Why: Florida is being invaded–by foreign fish, giant reptiles, bromeliad-chomping weevils, cannibal frogs, and forests of exotic trees that smother every other living thing out of existence. Invader Terminators are those brave souls who want to fight back and help Florida’s native plants and animals reclaim their place in the world. Crowley has a new program to show kids how to identify and remove invasive plants from their yards, from their local parks and from Florida’s natural areas.
How to earn an Invader Terminator badge?
1. Take the Invader Terminator Basic Training
2. Earn 1 Plant Invader Certificate
How to use the Invader Terminator Scorecard?
1. Get permission to remove invasive plants from your chosen area.
2. Spend 1 hour removing invasive plants at your chosen location.
3. Have someone fill out one line and sign the scorecard to verify your work.
4. If you earn additional Plant Invader Certificates, record one on each line.
5. Contact Crowley Museum and Nature Center for a list of awards for scorecards. Call: 941-322-1000; Email:
https://crwleyfl.org/contact/ or Write: 16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota, FL 34240.
Where to remove invasisve plants?
1. Crowley Museum & Nature Center-work an hour and play all day for free.
2. State Parks: Myakka River, Oscar Scherer, and Lake Manatee-show your badge, scorecard & plant certificates at the gate, spend an hour removing invasive plants that you have learned to identify from picnic areas, trails or road shoulders. Then you can play in the park the rest of the day with no entrance charge. Be sure to get your scorecard signed.
5. City and County Parks in your neighborhood-be sure to have your parents sign your scorecard.
6. Schools-get permission from your teacher first, and then be sure to have your teacher sign your scorecard.
7. Your Yard-it's a good idea to start at home and remove the category 1 & 2 invasive plants that you have learned to identify. Be sure to have your parent sign your scorecard.
Who donated the funds for Invader Terminator badges?
This project was funded by a micro-grant from Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program. The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program is a partnership that protects the estuaries from Venice to Estero Bay. This partnership gives citizens, elected officials, resource managers, and commercial and recreational resource users in the 4,400-square-mile study area a voice to address diverse resource management concerns, including fish and wildlife habitat loss, water quality and water flow. The watershed in the study area includes all or portions of Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Polk, Hardee and DeSoto counties.
Good Resources to check out:
-For information on Florida invasive plants—
http://www.FloridaInvasives.org
http://www.MyakkaRiver.org (Select the Ecology menu)
-For information on Florida invasive animals–
http://www.myfwc.com (Select the Wildlife and Habitats category)
-To sign up for Charlotte Harbor NEP newsletter “Harbor Happenings”
http://www.chnep.org
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