The Fairfax County Park Authority Invasive Management Area Program (IMA) is a volunteer-led community project that aims to reduce invasive plants in our parks. Dr. Karin Lehnigk is an IMA site leader at Oakton Community Park along with her co-site leader, Willow Martin. We sat down with Dr. Lehnigk to talk about all things IMA and her experience as a volunteer!

Q: How long has Oakton Community Park been an IMA site and when did you start as a site leader?

A: “Since 2021—July is when we started here. So it’s our four year anniversary!”

“I started in March 2023. I was here as a volunteer since pretty much the beginning, since I lived nearby. My dad and I came out to just volunteer like everyone else here. I ended up spending a lot of time at this park and Willow encouraged me to be a site leader.”

Q: What first drew you to the IMA program?

A: “I was preparing for my PhD defense and had a lot of frustration. I was finding pulling out invasive plants to be a great stress relief. Which I still do!”

Q: Why did you become an IMA volunteer/site leader?

A: “This was the perfect thing where I felt like I was contributing to my community, which was something I felt like I was missing in my life a little bit. And it was outside and with people who were also looking for that sort of thing. I’ve met so many awesome people as a volunteer and a site leader now.”

Q: What do you love about being an IMA site leader?

A: “The community aspect—how much fun it is to talk to other people and create an opportunity for students who come to our work sessions to get to know other students who care about the environment, who care about doing great things for their community.”

Q: “How has the site has changed since having IMA volunteers for the past four years?

A: “I think the most visible impact is we are really close to getting rid of most of the vines and bush honeysuckle, the shrubs…And that’s huge because then you have these visible open areas where you can do planting.”

“We’ve planted hundreds of trees in the park already, and a lot of them have done very well. It’s always nice to see new stuff coming up naturally as well.”

Q: What’s your favorite memory from your time as a IMA volunteer?

A: “I wish my dad were here today because this would make him smile, but I love it when he comes to work sessions and we can work together, because we’ve been doing yard work together since I was little. I hated it then, but I’m doing it [now] because I want to and it’s fun. And now it’s something we can do together.”

Ready to make a difference?
Just like Karin, you can help transform our parks—clearing invasive plants, planting trees and building a healthier environment for people and wildlife. Every volunteer hour matters, and your efforts will have a visible, lasting impact on your community.

Grab your gloves, join an IMA workday and be part of the movement to restore Fairfax County’s natural spaces. Sign up today and help our parks thrive for the next generation.