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Invasive Plant Removal
Invasive Plant Removal
Baltimore
Baltimore City Parks
Get certified as an Urban Weed Warrior! Baltimore City Recreation and Parks supports an Urban Weed Warriors program. If you are certified as a weed warrior, you may work on your own to help control non-native invasives in Baltimore City parks. Weed-pull activities are scheduled throughout the summer and fall, with tools and refreshments provided.
CONTACT: For information about training and activities, to get on the e-newsletter list, or with questions, contact Amanda Holloway, Urban Weed Warrior Coordinator, at Amanda.Holloway@baltimorecity.gov or 410-396-0359.
weeds@baltimorecity.gov
Urban Weed Warrior Coordinator
Baltimore City Recreation & Parks
2600 Madison Ave.
Baltimore City, MD 21217
Cromwell Valley Park
DATES: Monthly removal work parties are scheduled at Cromwell Valley Park in northern Baltimore County on the 2nd Saturday of each month 9-12 (8-11 in July and August). The rain date is the following day, at the same time. Tools and refreshments are provided.
Cromwell Valley Park is a wonderful rural park just outside the Baltimore Beltway on Cromwell Bridge Road. The "Beehive Woods" is looking much better--we are almost down to the road. The stream is revealed and is quite pretty. The former “Kudzu Hill” is being replanted with native trees and bushes, and is now “Dogwood Hill.” Our Habitat Restoration Team needs all the help we can get to eradicate invasives and plant natives. We have tackled multiflora rose, Japanese barberry, kudzu, garlic mustard, mile-a-minute and many others.
CONTACT: For information contact Bill Breakey at breakeys@comcast.net. The Park office is at 410-887-2503, or check out the Park's website at cvpark@bcpl.net. Volunteers are placed on an email notify list.
Herring Run Watershed Association
CONTACT: For any questions about upcoming invasive removal activities in Herring Run Park in Baltimore City, contact Angela at (410) 254-1648 or agaude@herringrun.org. Check out the website at http://www.herringrun.net/ .
Jones Falls Watershed Association
DATE: Western Run Invasive Plant Removal on July 14, 9:30 a.m. – noon. Free the trees! Help to remove invasive vines from trees along Western Run creek in the Mt. Washington neighborhood.
CONTACT: Suzanne Greene at sgreene@jonesfalls.org or 410-366-3036 for more information or to register for this or future outings.
Jones Falls Watershed Association
3000 Chestnut Avenue, Suite 100
Baltimore, Maryland 21211
410-366-3036
Calvert County
Hellen Creek Preserve
Join the Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust for invasive removals at Hellen Creek Preserve.
DIRECTIONS: From Washington, take Rt. 4 south to Calvert County. At Lusby, turn right at the second light at Coster/Mill Bridge Road then take an immediate left onto Coster. After passing two rights (Bassford), look for the MACHINE SHOP sign on the left and then turn right at Clifton Drive. Take the first left. Turn at a handmade sign with the number 11785.
Follow to the sign and gate for the Preserve.
CONTACT: For more information or to receive updates about workdays, email or call Bob Boxwell at 410-394-1300 or bobboxwell@hotmail.com.
Bob Boxwell, Executive Director
Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust
11785 Clifton Drive
P.O. Box 336
Lusby, MD 20657
American Chestnut Land Trust, Port Republic
Join the Holly Arboretum Volunteer Crew as they maintain the historic holly trees at Warrior's Rest. Work includes invasive vine removal, mulching, mowing, and pruning. Bring work gloves, clippers, and a smile.
CONTACT:
American Chestnut Land Trust
P. O. Box 204
Port Republic, MD 20676
Phone: 410-414-3400
land@acltweb.org
Caroline County
Adkins Arboretum
Adkins Arboretum trains volunteers to assist the staff in the removal of invasive non-natives on the Arboretum's 400-acre site. Workdays are flexible.
CONTACT: For more information, contact Sylvan Kaufman at 410 634-2847, ext. 24 or e-mail info@adkinsarboretum.org.
Charles County
Chapman Forest and Ruth Swann Park
DATES: Chapman Forest on the first Sunday and Ruth Swann Park the following Saturday each month. Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Remove invasive non-natives from the 200-acre Swann Park and 800-acre portion of Chapman Forest designated as Chapman State Park. There is time for plant identification and a beautiful beach lunch. Participating organizations include Maryland Native Plant Society, Sierra Club, and Chapman Forest Foundation. Casual clothing, long sleeves, pants, sturdy comfortable walking boots/shoes, and gloves are encouraged.
DIRECTIONS:
For first Sundays, directions to Chapman Forest, Chapman State Park, Mount Aventine, and the Glendening Natural Environment Area: Take the Washington Capital Beltway to Indian Head Highway (MD 210) south toward Indian Head (from VA Exit 2; from MD Exit 3A). At 14 miles, continue on MD 210 through the traffic light at MD 227. (This crossroads is the center of the community known as Bryans Road.) At about 1.1 miles past the light, veer to the right onto Chapmans Landing Road. Follow for 1.6 miles to the gated entrance of Mount Aventine and Chapman State Park. Meet at main gate of Chapman Forest.
For the following Saturday, directions to Ruth B. Swann Park: 20 miles (30 to 40 minutes) south of Washington Beltway (I-495) on Rt. 210 (Indian Head Hwy), about a mile and a half south from the traffic light on Rt. 2l0 in Bryans Road. Meet at the Potomac Branch Library parking lot.
CONTACT: Marc Imlay at 301-699-6204 or 301-283-0808. On outings days, I can be reached on my cell phone at 301-442-5657. For information about the area and a map, check out http://www.chapmanforest.org and www.mattawomanwatershedsociety.org.
For carpool information, meet at the Sierra Club Md. Chapter office at 9 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. Call Laurel Imlay at 301-277-7111.
Garrett County
Savage River State Forest
DATE: Battling Botanical Bullies in Bear Pen Wildland from 9 a.m. to noon Friday June 15. Volunteers are needed to continue control efforts of Japanese spiraea in the Bear Pen Run area of Savage River State Forest. Kerrie Kyde, DNR Invasive Plant Specialist, is providing technical support. Elk Ridge NatureWorks is coordinating the project and providing snacks and drinks for volunteers.
CONTACT: For more details or to register, contact Ron Boyer at 301-895-3686 or
info@elkridgenatureworks.com.
Howard County
Patapsco Valley State Park
DATE: Join the Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park on the second Wednesday evening each month at the Avalon area to eradicate invasive vines. This is the worst place in the park for non-native vines, where they have killed or broken many trees, so we need lots of help. Wear long clothes and bring gloves, as there is some poison ivy. If you have them, bring hand pruners and lopers (the 2 handed cutters for larger vines). We will have a few extra tools if you need to borrow some.
CONTACT: Jim Palmer to confirm date and time via email at J.G.Palmer@jhuapl.edu or at 410-531-2065. See our web site for updates at http://www.fpvsp.org/
DIRECTIONS: Meet at the Avalon contact station. From I-95 take I-195 east to Rt. 1 toward Elkridge. Turn right immediately on South St. The park entrance is on the left. Proceed 1/2 mile to the contact station.
Middle Patuxent Environmental Area
DATE: The Conservation Stewardship Project at the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA) meets on fourth Tuesdays monthly from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. from March to October. Each trip has an educational component and a work component. The Conservation Stewardship project is sponsored by Howard County Recreation and Parks and the Howard County Master Gardeners.
CONTACT: For information, directions, or registration, contact Aylene Gard at 410-992-9889 or Carol Filipczak at cfilipczak@comcast.net.
Howard/Anne Arundel/Prince George's County
Fort Meade
Help remove Japanese stilt grass, English ivy, garlic mustard, tree of heaven, multiflora rose, Japanese honeysuckle, common privet, phragmites, Asiatic tearthumb, etc. Prior to removing the weeds, there will be a short training session. People of all ages, backgrounds, and interests are invited to spend a few hours outdoors, hand-pulling some non-native plants while learning about the differences between native plants and non-native invasive plants and how these invasives adversely impact our natural ecosystem.
Fort Meade Army Installation
DATE: Second Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. (Time is flexible if enough volunteers are available.)
DIRECTIONS: Take Route 175 East from the 295 Baltimore Washington Parkway. Turn right onto Reece Road to enter the post, immediately turn left onto Ernie Pyle Street, go approximately 1 mile, turn left on Llewellyn Avenue, turn right onto Chisholm Avenue, turn left on 3rd Street, turn right on Ross Road, and go to 2nd building on the right--Environmental Division Office.
CONTACT: At least three days before the event, contact Don Marquardt, Installation Forester, by phone at 301-677-9185 or by e-mail at donald.marquardt@us.army.mil. A list of names must be provided to the Forester, who provides them to guard personnel at the Reece Road entrance to ensure access to the Post. Bring hand tools, gloves, lunch, and water. Long sleeves and pants are recommended.
Patuxent Research Refuge
Outings are conducted in partnership between the Department of the Army (Fort Meade), the Maryland Native Plant Society, the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club, and Patuxent Research Refuge and volunteers. Non-native invasive plants are threatening our wildlife habitat. Do your part to protect the Patuxent from alien invaders. Become a Weed Warrior! We need YOU to help stop them. Come out for one of our "Weed Warriors Days" and help us treat the garlic mustard, mile-a-minute, Japanese stiltgrass, and other non-native plants infesting the Refuge. Warriors of all ages and abilities are welcome. You will receive a short educational briefing. Wear long sleeves and pants and bring gloves.
DATES (subject to change if necessary):
Monday, June 11, North Tract Visitor Contact Station, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Thursday, July 12, National Wildlife Visitor Center, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Tuesday, July 24, North Tract Visitor Contact Station, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Wednesday, August 8, North Tract Visitor Contact Station, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
DIRECTIONS:
To the North Tract Visitor Contact Station: From I-295, take the exit for MD-Route 198 towards Fort Meade. Go approximately 1.5 miles until you see Glory Days Auto Salvage on your near right corner and baseball fields on your far right. Turn right between them onto Bald Eagle Drive. Proceed through the gate and continue about 1/2 mile to the Visitor Contact Station.
To the National Wildlife Visitor Center: The Center is located off Powder Mill Road between MD Route 197 and the Baltimore/Washington Parkway, south of Laurel.
CONTACT: For additional information, call 301-497-5763 or visit http://patuxent.fws.gov. Please register for these events by calling 301-497-5887.
Christopher Wicker
Wildlife Biologist
USFWS, Patuxent Research Refuge
12100 Beech Forest Road, Room 138
Laurel, MD 20708
E-mail: Christopher_Wicker@fws.gov
Fax: (301) 497-5515
Riverfront Park, Laurel
Wishing for weeders in Laurel. Wholesome river with lots of curves seeks outgoing naturalists for invasive species removal and native plant propagation, possibly leading to complete restoration of the wild.
DATE: Second Sunday of every month, 1 - 4 p.m.
DIRECTIONS: From I-95, take the MD Route 216-Laurel exit. At the second traffic light (Main Street), turn right. Go to the end of the next block, turn right at 9th Street, and park at the swimming pool.
CONTACT: Brigitte Fortin-Zaidan bfzaidan@Safe-mail.net or 240-506-8976.
Kent County
Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge
Wineberries with garlic mustard: A new type of exotic fruit salad? Not quite. These are two invasive plant species that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would like help removing from Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge at 1730 Eastern Neck Road, Rock Hall. Garlic mustard is a newly arrived invasive species, and is a priority for management. Wineberry is a raspberry-like plant that begins to ripen with fruit between June and July. The weed-pulling guide is Rachel Cliche, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist and the invasive species specialist for the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Garlic mustard is pulled by hand, but a 4-pronged spading fork works best on wineberry. High boots (for ticks) are recommended, along with a DEET-based bug repellent, a hat, and gloves.
CONTACT: Rachel is always looking for volunteers to help pull weeds. Contact her at Rachel_Cliche@fws.gov or 410-639-2108 for details about when and where.
Montgomery County
Brookside Gardens
Weed Warriors are needed for the forested areas surrounding the gardens. You will be given directions so that you may work independently, weekends or weekdays, on your own schedule.
CONTACT: Stacy Parsons 301-962-1417 or stacy.parsons@mncppc-mc.org . Websites: http://www.BrooksideGardens.org and/or
www.MC-MNCPPC.org/environment/weed_warriors/intro.shtm
Montgomery County Parks
Weed Warriors Wanted! The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission's (M-NCPPC) Forest Ecologist is assembling a team of volunteer Weed Warriors to monitor and remove non-native invasive plant species in Montgomery County Parks. We need your help! As a Weed Warrior volunteer, you will receive a short training session from the forest ecologist. Weed Warriors can then work at their own pace and choose a schedule that best suits them. Many Weed Warriors live near a M-NCPPC Stream Valley Park or Regional Park and do their volunteer work while walking their dogs or hiking through their neighborhood park. Whether you choose to work individually or in a group, your efforts will contribute to the control of non-native vegetation in the 32,500 acres of Montgomery County parkland.
CONTACT: Carole Bergmann, M-NCPPC Forest Ecologist, at 301-949-2818 for more information or to sign up.
The Potomac Gorge
Invasive Plant Control Workdays in The Potomac Gorge. Help protect native plant biodiversity near DC! The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with the National Park Service, will continue all season with invasive plant control workdays in the Potomac Gorge, a 15-mile stretch of river valley between Great Falls and Georgetown with over 200 rare plants and 5 globally rare plant communities. Volunteers are welcome to sign up for a variety of workdays, where we cut or pull some of the most problematic weeds, often in scenic areas. We will hold two more Weed Warrior training sessions, where volunteers learn about 13 non-native plant species, adopt an area, and then work independently in the National Parks in the Potomac Gorge.
CONTACT: For more information or to sign up, go to: http://www.nature.org/maryland for a list of workdays, or contact Mary below if you would like to sign up a school or organizational group for a workday, or want to be added to our email list:
Mary Travaglini
PotomacGorgeVol@tnc.org
(301) 897-8570
Potomac Gorge Habitat Restoration Manager
The Nature Conservancy of MD/DC
5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 100
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 897-8570 x235
fax: (301) 897-0858
Sligo Creek
The RIP - Removing Invasive Plants Committee of Friends of Sligo Creek holds plant removal events in different parts of Sligo Creek Park between New Hampshire Ave and the headwaters in Kemp Mill and Wheaton. The group invites local residents and other newcomers to work on shrubs in fall and winter, garlic mustard in spring, mile-a-minute in summer, and vines throughout the year.
CONTACT: For a schedule, see www.fosc.org/RIPEventSched.htm . Be sure to check http://www.fosc.org for last-minute weather changes or call Sally Gagne at 301-588-2071.
Woodend Nature Sanctuary, Chevy Chase
The Audubon Naturalist Society needs your help to remove invasive non-native plants from its Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, MD! Join us for group work sessions where training will be provided. Trained volunteers may also be authorized to work independently.
CONTACT: Liz Jones at volunteer@audubonnaturalist.org or 301-652-9188 x 30 for more information or to sign up.
Liz Jones
Volunteer Coordinator
Audubon Naturalist Society
8940 Jones Mill Road
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301 652-9188 x30
Northwest Branch of the Anacostia, Montgomery County
DATE: Third Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. monthly
Join us for a walk in the forest and to remove invasive plants including garlic mustard and multi-flora rose. Afterwards, we'll relax and have a vegetarian lunch that is provided. All are welcome. Bring water and gloves.
DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of 29 (Colesville Road) and University Blvd in Silver Spring, go east on University and turn (there's only left) on Williamsburg Drive. Stay on Williamsburg at the first fork you come to (bear left), and then at the second fork (Williamsburg N. vs. S.) bear left again. Williamsburg turns into Big Rock Road at the bottom of the hill. Go to 10204 Big Rock Road.
CONTACT: Jane Osburn at 301-754-1564 or jgosburn@earthlink.net.
Prince George's County
Belt Woods, Bowie
DATE: Ongoing Saturday, Sunday, and occasional mid-week invasive species workgroups. Times and dates vary based on available team leader. Please call or email for schedule. We will be removing creeping euonymous, Japanese honeysuckle, winged burning bush, multiflora rose, oriental bittersweet, Japanese Stiltgrass, Garlic Mustard, etc. from various parts of the property. Tools and gloves are provided, but feel free to bring your favorite tool or pair of gloves.
CONTACT: Email to be added to the contact list at pamelakcooper@verizon.net or call (301) 390-0797.
Woodworth Park, Cheverly
DATE: The Friends of Lower Beaverdam Creek, Cheverly will not be working in June - August, but will resume invasive plant removals in the fall on the last Saturday of every month.
All age groups can help rescue our native flowers, ferns, and other plants from non-native plants covering 30-90 percent of our parks that we have worked so hard to preserve. Tools are provided, but wear work gloves and sturdy shoes. Earth Day was a great success! About 28 volunteers planted over 600 native plants, purchased from Sara Tangren’s nursery with money from a Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant. We now have two attractive butterfly gardens at the Community Center and Woodworth Park entrances to the trail. In addition, we’ve replaced invasives with native plants in a woodland area nearer the Arbor Street entrance.
CONTACT: Cathy and Dan Smith at 301-386-0889.
DIRECTIONS: Take Rt. 202 East under the BW Parkway. Go one block and turn right on Cheverly. Go one mile and turn left on Forest Road. Go two blocks passing a church on the left and turn right on BW Parkway. Go 2 blocks and turn left on Wayne for one block. We meet at the park by the small playground.
Suitland Bog Invasive Plant Removal Days
Join us for manual removal of honeysuckle and multiflora rose using shovels, pruners, and perseverance. Come and help preserve this unique habitat. Bring water, work boots, durable clothes, long sleeves, gloves, pruners, and shovels. Light refreshments will be provided. There is some poison ivy at the work site.
DIRECTIONS: From the Capital Beltway (I-495), take Exit 7A (Branch Avenue), toward Waldorf. Take Route 5 south. Take the Allentown Road exit. Make a left onto Allentown Road. Stay on Allentown Road through five lights. Turn left onto Suitland Road at the 6th light. Follow Suitland Road until it passes under Suitland Parkway. The entrance to the Suitland Bog is to the right. Meet in the parking lot.
CONTACT: M-NCPPC Park Ranger Office Park Ranger Chris Garrett at 301-627-7755.
Indian Creek Trail at Lake Artemesia, Berwyn Hgts
DIRECTIONS: Meet in the Lake Artemesia parking lot along Berwyn, at Indian Creek Trail @ Lake Artemesia, Berwyn Hgts, Prince George's County. The lake is located on Berwyn Road in College Park.
From the south from the Capital Beltway (I-495), take Exit 23 (Kenilworth Avenue) toward Bladensburg. Make a right onto Route 193 (Greenbelt Road). Make a right onto Branchville Road. (This road turns into 55th Avenue). The Lake Artemesia parking lot is on the left at the Berwyn Road intersection.
From the north from the Capital Beltway (I-495), take Exit 25 (Route 1) toward College Park. Make a left onto Route 193 (Greenbelt Road), then a left onto Branchville Road. (This road turns into 55th Avenue.) The parking lot is on the left at the Berwyn Road intersection.
Bring water, work boots, durable clothes, long sleeves, and gloves. Light refreshments will be provided. There is some poison ivy at the work site.
CONTACT: M-NCPPC Park Ranger Chris Garrett or John Dillon
M-NCPPC Park Ranger Office
301-627-7755
Watkins Regional Park
Join us for Weed Warrior Work Days at Watkins Nature Center in Watkins Regional Park. Meet at Watkins Nature Center parking lot. Bring water, work boots, durable clothes, long sleeves, and gloves. Light refreshments will be provided. There is some poison ivy at the work site.
DIRECTIONS: Located in Upper Marlboro at Watkins Regional Park, one mile west of the Six Flags America amusement park.
From the Capital Beltway (I-495), take Exit 15A (Central Avenue) east. Continue for approximately three miles. Turn right onto Watkins Park Drive (Route 193) and follow the park signs to the facility.
From Route 301, turn onto Central Avenue (Route 214) west. Continue for approximately three miles (past Six Flags America). Turn left onto Watkins Park Drive and follow to the park entrance on the right.
Contact: M-NCPPC John Dillon or Chris Garrett
M-NCPPC Park Ranger Office
301-627-7755
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