MNPS Montgomery Chapter Meeting: "Alienweeds: The Art of Invasives"

Speaker: Patterson Clark, The Washington Post's "Urban Jungle" columnist

A super-abundance of invasive weeds often overwhelms parklands, out-competing native vegetation and degrading biological diversity. Land managers often attempt to stem the exotic tide by hiring manual labor to remove the plants, or by using chemicals to thwart the onslaught. But an alternative perspective exists, which regards invasive species as profuse material abundance, the harvest of which helps restore ecological balance. Based on this philosophy, artist Patterson Clark created Alienweeds, an art project to create art out of invasive plant materials. He will describe and demonstrate the different types of artwork he creates from a host of familiar invasives.

Come enjoy this creative approach to dealing with invasives.

Patterson Clark did a spot on NPR:  
http://www.npr.org/2011/02/28/134054004/the-art-of-war-on-invasive-species

See Patterson Clark’s photo of the red maple setting fruit:  
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/metro/urban-jungle/

The meeting is open to non-members.

Registration is not required.

Location: White Oak Library - Large Meeting Room. Doors open at 6:30, the talk begins at 7:30. The Library will be closed; enter the meeting room from the lower level.

Directions: Exit the Washington Beltway at New Hampshire Ave (exit 28). Go north about 2 miles. Once you have passed under Route 29 turn right at the blinking light, then turn left into the library parking lot. Directions and map.

There will be refreshments and door prizes. Pot luck refreshments are always welcome.

Meetings take place on the last Tuesday of each month.