The Maryland Native Plant Society

The Maryland Native Plant Society
  • Home
  • Invasive Species Removal at Ruth Swann Park

Invasive Species Removal at Ruth Swann Park

  • 09/11/2010
  • 10:00 AM - 3:59 PM
  • Ruth Swann Park, Charles County

Sponsoring Organizations: Maryland Native Plant Society, Sierra Club, Chapman Forest Foundation

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. 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.

Directions: Meet at Ruth B. Swann Park-Potomac Branch Library parking lot, 20 miles 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. Give yourself 30 to 40 minutes from the Beltway.

Carpool Info: Meet at Sierra Club Md. Chapter office at 9 a.m.; return 5 p.m. Call Laurel Imlay at 301-277-7111.

Wear/Bring: Casual clothing, long sleeves and pants, sturdy comfortable walking boots/shoes; gloves are encouraged for these events.

Contact: Marc Imlay, 301-699-6204 or 301-283-0808; call 301-442-5657 (cell) on workdays.

More information: Area information and map can be found at www.chapmanforest.org and www.mattawomanwatershedsociety.org.

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software