Maryland Native Plant Society

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.

Gardeners often unknowingly harbor some serious invasive plants in their backyards, or maybe they know but aren't sure what to replace them with. Participants learn about how using native plants to replace invasive plants can offer benefits from attracting more butterflies and birds to reducing the spread of invaders in their neighborhood. Participants will learn how gardens can reflect their native landscapes instead as well as being ornamental.

Join us for our extensive Non-Native Invasive Plant Removal program in one of the last pristine watersheds on the Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Work as a team or individually; includes training, tools, water, and gloves.

There will be a full invasive training program August 14, 2010, but it is not necessary to participate on the workdays.

Become an Urban Weed Warrior!

Baltimore City Recreation and Parks has started its own Urban Weed Warriors program.  Training will include weed ID, removal techniques, and native alternatives to exotic flora.  The training will lead to certification as a weed warrior, whereby volunteers can work on their own to help control non-native invasives in City parks.  There will also be information about organized weed-pull activities throughout the summer.

Weed Warrior activities are scheduled throughout the year at Cylburn Arboretum, Herring Run Park, Leakin Park, and Wyman Park.

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.

Join us for a beginner's bird walk (March - May) followed by invasive plant removal. Bird walks resume in September. The diverse habitats surrounding the closed Oaks Landfill attract birds and other wildlife. Bird diversity has dropped off in recent years due to invasive non-native plants. We are partnering with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Montgomery County Bird Club to observe the relationship between bird diversity and habitat, remove invasive plants, and return the area into a birding hot spot.

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.

Invasive Plant Removal Outing on National Public Lands Day

The Montgomery County Sierra Club is co-sponsoring this event with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC).

There are about 3,000 native plant species in Maryland, with 800 at Chapman Forest and contiguous Swann Park, 49 of which are endangered.

Help remove invasive non-natives from the 200-acre Swann Park and 800-acre portion of Chapman Forest designated Chapman State Park. There will be time for plant identification and a beautiful beach lunch.

There are general methods and species-specific methods, such as best season for species, wet soil condition for pulling, handouts, extent of area of natives seen rescued, delayed gratification, targeted use of herbicides, and matching funds for staff to do what volunteers find hard to do.

Non-native invasive plant removal will reach maintenance phase following a major work effort at each site in the Mid-Atlantic region and around the world for about three to five years to remove the massive populations of species. Regular stewardship projects are conducted in all seasons including winter, early spring, late spring, summer, and late summer. This high-intensity program is followed by a low-intensity annual maintenance program for plants we have missed, plants emerging from the seed bank, and occasional plants migrating in from neighboring areas.

Cromwell Valley Park is a wonderful rural park just outside the Beltway on Cromwell Bridge Road. The areas we have worked on in recent years, Beehive Woods and Dogwood Hill, are looking much better, free of major invasives, with new trees and shrubs gaining a foothold. A new project last year was the installation of a deer exclusion fence demonstration to show the effects of excessive deer browsing in the forest.

Our Habitat Restoration Team has a tough ongoing assignment to eliminate non-native invasives from this scenic park, and we need all the help we can get. We have tackled multiflora rose, Japanese barberry, kudzu, garlic mustard, mile a minute, porcelain berry, oriental bittersweet and many others. There is still lots to do.

Tools and refreshments are provided.

Welcome to Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, located at the confluence of the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay on Maryland's Eastern Shore. This 2,285-acre island refuge is a major feeding and resting place for migrating and wintering waterfowl. More than 100,000 ducks, geese and swans seek sanctuary here each year, as do migrating and breeding songbirds and shorebirds, and Bald Eagles that thrive here year-round. Interpretive programs and hikes are offered at this wetland site known for its rare plant life.

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. Garlic Mustard is a newly arrived invasive species, and is a management priority. Wineberry is a raspberry-like plant that begins to ripen with fruit between June and July. Garlic mustard is pulled by hand, but a 4-pronged spading fork works best on wineberry.

Rachel Cliche, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist and the invasive species specialist for the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, will lead the outings and teach you how to identify the plants and management strategies.

The park comprises almost the entire area of Fort Dupont subwatershed which is approximately 460 acres; about 11% is impervious. It is the least populated subwatershed and the one with the highest level of forest cover in the Anacostia watershed, with a forest cover of 63.9%; the subwatershed possesses substantial areas of mature forests of 65 years or older. The park and the entire subwatershed are located entirely within the Coastal Plain physiographic province, although the park topography is quite hilly which explains why a military fort was built during the Civil War era.

Roughly more than 50 acres are infested with invasive plants. However, the magnificent mature forests of the park are, at many sites, almost free of invasive plants; in addition, there is a rather low deer population which means that the park has some healthy and nice-looking woods! In these sites the forest understory shelters native shrubs like mountain laurels (Kalmia latifolia) which are abundant on slopes. The Cranefly Orchid (Tipularia discolor) is another remarkable native species. At least two interesting native parasitic species occur in the park, Beechdrops (Epifagus virginiana) and Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora), the presence of the latter by itself shows how rich the woods are. Interestingly, the park has a healthy Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) population in the middle of the city!

AWS invasive removals usually employ hand-pulling, cutting (with hand pruners and cutting saws) and pulling using tools, i.e., pitchforks. We will focus on Garlic Mustard in springtime; however, we will also remove: Japanese Stilt Grass, Mile-a-minute, Multiflora Rose, Chinese Wisteria, English Ivy among others. Our invasive plant removal outings have an educative approach; volunteers usually have an introductory talk by one of the park rangers about the history of the park and other interesting facts. AWS staff will talk about some aspects of the natural history of the park and will surely point out interesting native plants and animals.

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 on identification, and control techniques of non-native invasive plants.

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 and non-native invasive plants and how these invasives adversely impact our natural ecosystem.

The Greenbelt Homes, Inc., (GHI) housing cooperative in Old Greenbelt has approximately 100 acres of stewardship forest as well as other wooded parcels. The Woodlands Committee is actively involved with urban forestry management. Regular work sessions and educational events are scheduled the third Wednesday of every Month. Typical outings include removal/eradication of non-native invasive plant species, tree plantings, bird counts, native landscaping seminars and guided hikes.

Located just 12 miles from Washington D.C., Greenbelt Park is a beloved retreat from the city and an important refuge for native plants and animals. Come join us in defending Greenbelt Park from encroachment by alien invasive plant growth. Volunteers will be hand pulling harmful non-native plants such as Japanese honeysuckle, Beefsteak Mint, Mile-a-minute weed and Garlic Mustard. People of all ages, backgrounds and interests are invited to spend a fun day outdoors while learning about the differences between native and non-native plants and helping to preserve the health and native wildlife of this local natural area.

Tree Maintenance Volunteers Needed!

The Gunpowder Valley Conservancy (GVC) is seeking volunteers, ages 12 and up, to adopt a tree planting site or be a helper on tree maintenance days coming up this Spring. You can help to maintain some of our 4,000 trees planted in the last 2 years. Invasive plants must be removed surrounding the trees; stakes and shelters must be secured; dead trees need to be marked; and watering may need to be done.

The hike on trails through the diverse ecosystems of the Accokeek Creek and Potomac River watersheds focuses on plants and animals that live there, the interdependence of organisms in food webs, natural cycles, and each person's connection to the environment.

Volunteers are needed for invasive plant removal.

Volunteer Spring Cleanup Workday

Hellen Creek Forest and Wildlife Preserve is 50 acres of stream and ravine along Hellen Creek. We have over 25 species of trees including hemlocks and we are adjacent to The Nature Conservancy's Hemlock Preserve.

Join us for a quick tour of the preserve before we get down to the ongoing work of invasive plant removal and native wildflower plantings. Learn how you can improve your own backyard to make it friendlier to the environment and take a native plant home for your garden. We will provide gloves and tools, and refreshments.

You will be working in city parks removing multi-flora rose, honeysuckle, English ivy, Japanese knotweed, Oriental bittersweet and more! Work consists of regular weed pull parties using shears, loppers, pick mattocks, and good 'ole muscles.

Activities may take place at Meadowood Park, Druid Hill Park, Stony Run Park, Western Run Park and Wyman Park.

Spring Stewardship Day

Adopt-a-plot Program

Built around a 38-acre lake, this beautiful park includes an aquatic garden, handicapped-accessible fishing pier and over two miles of hiker-biker trails.

Garlic Mustard Pull-off at Indian Creek Trail

Teams compete in removal of the non-native invasive weed Garlic Mustard. Prizes given to winning team for largest amount pulled in a given area and time.

Several of the worst invasive species in the Mid-Atlantic region, including English Ivy, Asiatic Bittersweeet, Garlic Mustard, Bush Honeysuckle and Porcelain Berry, are in the early stages of invasion in this park. Japanese Stiltgrass covers about 5% of the park. Research indicates that Japanese Stiltgrass is a major contributor of Nitrogen pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and reduces by half the ability of any land it dominates to hold water and release it slowly. Non-native invasive plant removal will reach maintenance phase following a major work effort at each site in the Mid-Atlantic Region and around the world for about 3 to 5 years to remove the massive populations of species. Regular stewardship projects are conducted in all seasons including Winter, early Spring, late Spring, Summer, and late Summer.

This high intensity program is followed by a low intensity annual maintenance program for plants we have missed, plants emerging from the seed bank, and occasional plants migrating in from neighboring areas. The project supporters are now removing English Ivy, wineberry, periwinkle, Ground Ivy, Japanese pachysandra, Bush Honeysuckle, and multiflora Rose to rescue the incredible diversity of native plants and animals at this particular park. Unlike most parks in the area the 150 acre Little Paint Branch Park is in the early stages of invasion and is essentially the native plant nursery for the Paint Branch itself.

See what our volunteers have accomplished! View before and after photos.

Our day will include natural history and special features of the park, methods and reasons for the project to control the spread of invasives. Native flowers and other plants will be identified as we work to rescue them. There will be a sign-in and safety orientation with handouts. Gloves and tools will be provided. Our objective is to remove the invasives to allow natives to grow back.

We will continue the wonderful progress accomplished the last three years by the Americorps workers, General Electric Volunteers, Robert Goddard French Immersion and Montesori Elementary School, Washington Quaker Work Camps, and World Bank volunteers at Little Paint Branch Community Park.

There are full indoor toilet facilities and a large seating area for lunch.

The Friends of Lower Beaverdam Creek hosts the monthly removal of non-native invasive plants from Woodworth Park in Cheverly, MD. This 15–acre wooded buffer wedged between a residential neighborhood and Route 50 is slowly returning to its natural state thanks to The Friends of Lower Beaver Dam Creek.

The group landscaped steps into a small hill that leads to an inviting trail the volunteers blazed along a shallow winding creek. The creek, which roughly divides the park in two, eventually feeds a tributary of the Anacostia River. The reclaimed land has a peaceful resonance. Trees stand out. Space, depth and light are abundant. Smaller trees such as sassafras, hickory, hornbeam and a dogwood — discovered on a hillside after the thickets were cleared — were labeled. The forest returned to its rightful winter hues — brown, black and gray.

Help clean up the most polluted stream in the Anacostia Watershed. Friends of Lower Beaverdam Creek seeks volunteers for invasive-plant removal and native planting activity. Meet at Woodworth Park on Wayne Place in Cheverly, MD.

Help Us by Becoming a Weed Warrior!

Garlic Mustard Challenge

More information: Weed Warriors web site.

Native plants included Aster, Blackberry, Pokeberry, Tulip Popular, Sweetgum, Sycamore, Poison Ivy, Skunk Cabbage, American Grape, American Beech, and Silver Maple in the woodlands and forested swamp

The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA), established in 1996, is 1,021 acres in size and contains a diversity of habitat types. There are upland and bottomland hardwood forest, fields, wetlands, ponds, and riparian habitats. The primary components of the MPEA's mission are natural resources management, education, research and recreation.

The Conservation Stewardship Project, a joint program of the Howard County Recreation & Parks and the Howard County Master Gardeners, targets the problem of controlling invasive, exotic species in the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area. Volunteer work dates occur monthly from March through November, skipping July & August. Each date includes an educational component concerning the target invasive species or target work area for the day.

Driving Directions:
Trotter Road Entrance:
From U.S. 29 at 32: Take 32 west to the Great Star Drive exit. Turn right onto Great Star Drive. Then make a right onto Summer Sunrise. Continue to Trotter Road and make a left. Proceed about 1 mile to the parking area on the right just beyond the small traffic circle.
From U.S. 29 at 108: Take 108 west and continue past Centennial Lane. Proceed past Harpers Farm Road to Trotter Road and make a left. Continue to the parking area on the left. If you reach the small traffic circle, you've gone too far.
South Wind Circle Entrance: Route 29 to Route 108W towards Clarksville OR Route 32 to Route 108E. Turn onto Trotter Road to South Wind Circle (about 1 mile). Enter the circle and proceed to trailhead on left (opposite Misty Top Path).

Contact: Master Gardeners: Aylene Gard at (410) 992-9889, Carol Filipczak at cfilipczak@comcast.net, or Jeff Claffy, Assistant Natural Resources Manager, MPEA at (410) 313-6209 or jclaffy@howardcountymd.gov.

More information about the MPEA: Web site: http://www.co.ho.md.us/RAP/RAP_MPEA.htm.

Invasinators!

Enjoy pink Lady's Slippers and native orchids in upland and wooded swamp. Become a part of the volunteer team of invasive plant removers and native plant restorers. Learn why non-native invasive plants are a threat to our ecosystem, how to identify problem plants, and removal and restoration strategies.

Participants receive an "Invasinators" T-shirt after attending two work days.

11th Annual Garlic Mustard Challenge

Remove Invasive Vines

More information: Patapsco Valley State Park Volunteer Opportunities.

Patuxent Research Refuge, established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936, was America's first and only refuge devoted to support wildlife research. Patuxent's mission is "to help protect and conserve the nation's wildlife and habitat through research on critical environmental problems and issues." Its 12,750 acres of forest, meadow, and wetland habitats are managed to promote biological diversity and the protection of native and migratory bird species.

Non-native invasive plants are threatening our wildlife habitat. We need YOU to help stop them. Come out for one of our "Weed Warriors Days" and help us treat garlic mustard, mile-a-minute, Japanese stiltgrass and other non-native plant infestations on the refuge. All ages and abilities are welcome. Do your part to protect Patuxent from alien invaders, and become a Weed Warrior! You will receive a short educational briefing explaining the effects of invasive plants on wildlife and wildlife habitats and how to identify and control these plants.

Potomac Conservancy's Growing Native is a year-round volunteer project that helps to restore and protect rivers and streams in the Potomac River watershed. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds participate in Growing Native by collecting native tree seeds and planting trees along streams and rivers across the region. Not only are participants creating forests for tomorrow, they are also learning the important connection between healthy, forested lands and clean waters

Since Growing Native's inception in 2001, nearly 30,000 volunteers collected more than 94,000 pounds of acorns, walnuts, and other hardwood tree seeds. These seeds have generated seedlings that will be used to restore sensitive streamside lands.

Growing Native's efforts culminate in the fall, when we do large scale outreach to individuals, community groups, and local businesses to get involved while seeds are dropping on the ground! We invite people to volunteer by acting as Growing Native ambassador, seed collection event coordinators, and Drop-off site coordinators.

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 Weed Warrior trainings, where volunteers learn 13 non-native plant species, adopt an area and work independently in the National Parks in the Potomac Gorge.

We have some upcoming volunteer workdays in the Potomac Gorge - please come join us! There will be a slew of fun opportunities in the spring! Please let Mary know if you are interested.

For those who love hiking and animal-watching, Prettyboy Reservoir provides habitat for a variety of forest wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, rabbit, squirrel, and songbirds.

Meet for a couple hours of cutting invasive vines along the CCC fireroads at Prettyboy Reservoir.

Rock Creek EXTREME Cleanup and Ongoing Activities

Invasive Plant Removal in Rock Creek Park, Chevy Chase

Battling "Botanical Bullies" in the Bear Pen Wildlands

Adult volunteers are needed to continue control efforts of Japanese spiraea in the Bear Pen Run area of Savage River State Forest. Bear Pen is designated as a Type 1 Wildland and like other natural areas around the State is threatened by a variety of exotic invasive species. Kerrie Kyde, Invasive Plant Specialist with the Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service, is providing technical support. Wade Dorsey, Savage River State Forest acting manager, is providing work tools. Mary Ironside, Big Run & New Germany State Park manager, is providing free camping the night before for any out-of-town volunteers. The Savage River Watershed Association is coordinating the project and providing snacks and drinks for volunteers.

Friends of Sligo Creek (FOSC) has launched RIP, its Removing Invasive Plants Project. RIP is an all-out effort to remove the invasive vines and shrubs in Sligo Creek. We will gradually build a corps of residents to come out for regular organized events in each section of the park. We welcome anyone who would like to take part in the fun! All Friends of Sligo Creek plant removal activities are done under the auspices of the Parks Department.

Impromptu events in several sections are planned for late Winter to Spring. From mid-April to mid-June we will work on removing all garlic mustard. For a schedule, see http://www.fosc.org/RIPEventSched.htm. Sites are between New Hampshire Avenue and Arcola Avenue.

Manual removal of honeysuckle and multiflora rose using shovels, pruners and perseverance. Come and help preserve this unique rare magnolia bog habitat.

We are partnering with Montgomery County Parks to remove non-native invasive plant species, restore the native plant communities, and create a living history museum where people can learn the fascinating stories of those who escaped slavery and the people who helped.

Watkins Regional Park covers more than 850 acres, and offers all kinds of outdoor adventures. The park is also home to the Watkins Nature Center, the Chesapeake Carousel, Old Maryland Farm, the Watkins Regional Park miniature train, and the Watkins Miniature Golf Course. Recreational amenities include 34 campsites at the park campgrounds, picnic areas with shelters, playgrounds, comfort stations, a paved, 1.7 mile circuitous hiker/biker trail, and several miles of trails through deciduous forest for hiking and biking.

Weed Warrior Work Day

Manual removal of the non-native invasive weed Garlic Mustard.

Woodend, the ANS' original sanctuary, is a 40-acre oasis in the middle of Chevy Chase, MD. Bordering Rock Creek Park, the sanctuary contains mature woods and meadows, a pond, and an intermittent stream that provide habitat for many birds, insects, deer, rabbits, and foxes.

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.