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If you were to lobby for one, with iVillage, then perhaps it could be to create an FAQ resource. I think you would have to think regionally: someone in the wilds of Canada wouldn't be massively troubled by kudzu, for example, but may be troubled by thistles. If it is a resource to use - evidence based - for approaching your local or regional government to assist, through resourcing (such as advertising, or organising clean-up gangs) and legislative changes - fine. Or as a come-to resource, perhaps made known to Citizens Advice Bureaux or similar agencies, for private individuals to know their rights and responsibilities when battling thug plants. As an aside - it is crucial that 'Wars Against Weeds' are sustained in order to contain the species that's invading. For example - here in NZ we had nasella tussock grass brought in with ordinary grass seed. We developed teams of inspectors to go round farms and identify the problem, then require the landholder to clear it because it seriously affects one of our key export products. In some places woodlots were planted and left - because the seeds can remain viable in the topsoil for more than thirty years. That's the level of commitment and the duration required to contain a pest plant. We totally failed with Ulex europaeus (aka gorse or furze) and it was left to bloom gloriously on hillsides until it becomes shaded out by taller growing trees - native or plantation. Info on invasives is useful. Action on invasives is a long term and sustained effort.

There is a book by USDA Forest Service that is free for the asking...color photos...nice book. Order a box of 40 copies from pubrequest@srs.fs.usda.gov; ph. 828-257-4830; mail: Southern Research Station, PO Box 2680, Asheville, NC 28802. You can download this book from three different sites, but I think it would be better to get the books. Who wants to print all of this out?? Even better, there are downloadable powerpoints of conference presentations to use for free.I could use the ones on the plants to make my own presentation, but some of the others would need someone a little better versed on the problem. Anyway, it's all free. Here is a link that might be useful: Powerpoint invasive programs

Thank you so much, Bob and Christie! I can't tell you how much your encouragement means to me. I actually laughed (usually not an easy thing to do!) recognizing myself in your words. Yes, I too have given up on the vinca for awhile, and have focused more efforts on honeysuckle vine. (Though the vinca just makes me sick, as it has escaped into the woods....including my neighbors' woods, and I feel helpless in ever stopping it. I presume my father planted it originally to stabilize a bank, not thinking it would get out of control. I am just lucky my neighbor doesn't sue me.) But anyway.....I'm trying to foster saplings in an area where English Ivy, euonymus and honeysuckle vine are battling it out for turf. I patrol it every few days, unwinding honeysuckle from their trunks. I was thinking of dripping a few drops of concentrated Roundup from a squeeze bottle onto the upturned leaves of honeysuckle vine, that is, not too close to saplings. Do you think this would be safe to try? It's encouraging to read that if this area eventually shades over, the honeysuckle vine might be less of a problem. That just leaves the English Ivy and euonymus to contend with, I guess. And the clematis terniflora in a lowland area. I may try dabbing leaves of the Clematis terniflora with concentrated Roundup as well, since regular Roundup spray hardly causes it to flinch. And there are literally hundreds of them that pop up, across the lawn, through the woods, too many to dig out. I don't know if most are the same growth or reseeded, but I find them popping up an acre away from the originally infested area and suspect seeds from the uncontrolled growth down the road. I've written an email to Gardenweb staff suggesting a forum topic on Invasive Plants. It would be wonderful if a nationwide Gardenweb discussion could help track and curtail the progress of invasives, particularly if individuals relayed information to state and local authorities. If communication possibilities like this existed years ago, maybe Japanese honeysuckle, shrub honeysuckle and kudzu could have been stopped in their tracks before they went this far out of control. And with global warming and climate change, gardeners may encounter problems in their regions they've never seen before. (I'm particularly worried about kudzu coming further north....like I don't have enough problems with invasives!) Finally, Bob, I really do appreciate your community spirit. It is wonderful that you are involved in county volunteer work. A couple of weekends ago, I volunteered with a group to help senior citizens clean up their yards. And I've contacted a MDC agent to offer help with restoration of a local nature park, if they want it! You're right.......sometimes it is good to get one's mind off one's own troubles and help someone else.