Maryland Native Plant Society

Help remove Japanese stilt grass, English ivy, garlic mustard, tree of heaven, multiflora rose, crown vetch, Japanese honeysuckle, common privet, Phragmites, Asiatic tearthumb, etc. You will receive a short training session from personnel from the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club or the Maryland Native Plant Society in the identification of, removal and control techniques for non-native invasive plants. People of all ages, backgrounds, and interests are invited to spend a day outdoors, hand-pulling some non-native weed populations while learning about the differences between native and non-native plants and helping to preserve the health and native wildlife of the natural areas located on a U.S. Army installation. This project is a Partnership between the Department of the Army, MNPS, the Md. Chapter of Sierra Club, and volunteers.

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 vine 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.

Please join us for a walk in the forest and to remove invasive plants including garlic mustard and multi-flora rose. Then we'll relax and have a vegetarian lunch.  All are welcome.

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.

On Saturdays we will walk through Swann Park and on Sundays we will walk through Chapman Forest. We will rescue native plants from non-native invasive plants, remove trash, participate in water quality sampling, and hear introductory talks about climate action. We will look for and remove invasive plants, identify and appreciate the native plants and animals we have rescued, bag trash we come across, and participate in water quality sampling on the wetlands meadow tributary to the Mattawoman Creek in Swann Park.

Starting in 1999, volunteers have removed almost all of the English ivy, Japanese stiltgrass, Chinese privet, Swedish ivy, Asiatic bittersweet, Japanese knotweed, Japanese honeysuckle, and other plants from Europe and Asia to rescue native violets, ferns, orchids, asters, St. Andrew’s cross, and other native American plants that contribute to global biological diversity. These native plants provide ecosystem services that reduce CO2 emissions and storm water and nitrogen runoff to the Chesapeake Bay. Invasive species, especially vines, generally can survive the new climate better.

Participating organizations with speakers include MNPS, Sierra Club, and Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

Our happy volunteers have something to show you:

Miranda Vargas, Madeline Pinckert, Erin Curran with Japanese honeysuckle pile at Ruth Swann Park on 10 January 2009 (photo by Bruce Kirk)