Eight years ago, Sara Holtz decided to join a group of scouts removing invasive Garlic Mustard at Cub Run—only to discover that the same plant was all over the park in her own backyard! Sara contacted the FCPA Invasive Management Area (IMA) program and asked, “Could I become an IMA site leader? I want to do this in my own neighborhood.”

The IMA program is a volunteer-led community project that aims to reduce invasive plants in our parks. Sara led her first volunteer training at Difficult Run Stream Valley Park from the back of a Park Authority pickup truck to a tiny group. For the first few sessions, they focused solely on Garlic Mustard, because at the time, it was the only invasive plant she knew!

Since Sara founded the site in April 2017, it’s expanded both in size and impact. “I’ve learned more plants,” she explains, “and we’ve had more people.” She brought in three more co-site leaders: Tucker Newberry, Nick Newberry and Karin Lenghik. Their workdays draw a crowd, with around 40 volunteers showing up consistently. It’s usually a mix of scouts, students and families and other good Samaritans.

What brings people back week after week to volunteer? Sara noticed that people were looking for an outlet—a way to channel their energy into doing something positive for the community. The IMA volunteer program offers just that, combining time spent in nature, socializing, exercise and environmental conservation.

The sustained efforts of IMA Volunteers at Difficult Run Stream Valley Park have paid off. Five acres of the park were once filled with invasive Japanese Barberry, and volunteers removed almost all of it. Now, that area is covered in native ferns.

Sara’s decision to hold an IMA session on her 50th birthday is a testament to her dedication to the program. The party brought together 88 participants, including fellow site leaders, enthusiastic volunteers and Park Authority team members. That’s due in part to the fact that Sara is such a strong crosspollinator—a true social butterfly! She frequently visits other IMA site leaders’ workdays to support and learn from them. Sara says what she enjoys most about the role is the social side—spending time with kids, adults, and people from all different backgrounds, religions and cultures. “Some people have never even used a lopper before. It’s really fun to watch them learn,” she adds.

Her birthday cake was decorated with invasive English Ivy vines, which she cut through to distribute slices to friends and family. Instead of gifts, Sara asked attendees to donate to the IMA program in her honor. “I’m thinking for my 55th, I’m going to do the same thing,” she says with a laugh.

In recognition of her monumental contributions to our parks, Sara was awarded a 2025 Elly Doyle Park Service award: the Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award.

Sara is a shining example of stewardship of the parks in your own backyard. Find an IMA site in your own neighborhood, and if there isn’t one at your local park, create your own! You don’t need to be a plant expert. All you need is a park you care about and a curious mind to learn more. Sign up for an IMA session to get started!