Invasive Removal with Anacostia Watershed Society, Prince George's County

Sponsoring Organization: Anacostia Watershed Society

AWS invasive plant removals usually employ hand-pulling, cutting, and pulling using tools i.e. pitchforks, hand pruners, small saws. Our invasive plant removal outings have an educative approach; AWS staff will talk about our watershed and the history and ecology of the area, and will be sure to point out interesting native plants and animals. AWS staff will brief the group on plant removal tips and techniques, as well as basic safety measures, to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience!

Bring: We strongly recommend wearing long pants, closed-toe shoes (hiking or waterproof) and basic gear to protect from UV rays (hat, sunglasses and sunscreen) in this open-land habitat. Also, long sleeve shirts should help protect skin during plant removal and minimize skin exposure to poison ivy and ticks, which are found in parks throughout the D.C. area. We recommend bringing along a repellant designed to repel both deer ticks and mosquitoes. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and a snack if you feel that would be necessary. AWS will provide gloves, tools and other supplies to get the job done.

Project Coordinator: Maddie Koenig, mkoenig@anacostiaws.org, 301-699-6204 ext.109.

Directions: Magruder Park is 32-acre park located in Hyattsville, MD run by the City of Hyattsville. The park serves as an important recreational location for the surrounding community. The small streams in Magruder Park flow into the Northwest Branch, which meets the Northeast Branch at nearby Bladensburg to form the mainstem of the Anacostia River. We will be meeting at the furthest parking lot in the park, past the Hamilton pool and close to the sports fields. Magruder Park is accessible by Hamilton St., the street address of the swimming pool is 3901 Hamilton St. Hyattsville, MD. Some of the signs for the park on Hamilton St. say Hamilton Park, not Magruder. Don’t be confused, you are in the right place! From Queens Chapel Rd. take Hamilton St., go by the Safeway on the right, pass 38th St., go about one block and the entrance to the park will be on your right. The closest Metro station is West Hyattsville (Green line). From the station you can walk about 10 blocks (20 min. at most) down Hamilton St. and the park will be on your right. If you are facing away from the station, go left through the parking lot and turn right down Jamestown Rd. Walk down Jamestown Rd. until you hit Hamilton St., where you will take a left. Walk down Hamilton St. about 10 blocks to the park, which will be on your right. You can also take the bus F8 towards the Cheverly Station and get off at the bus stop between 38th Av. and Hamilton St. View a Google map of our meeting place at Magruder Park.

More Information and RSVP: AWS website, http://www.anacostiaws.org/calendar.