Tree Stewards - Invasive Removal in Arlington

Over the last ten years I'm guessing I've cleared more than 10 acres of invasive plants and planted more than 4000 trees in their place.  It's one of the most satisfying things for me, maybe because it's so different from sitting in front of multiple screens all day.  I regularly find myself thinking out loud while I do it (hopefully not in range of anyone's video camera!), suggesting that it's one of those "centering" exercises where we get to put lots of things in perspective or rehearse challenging situations.  

I can't be there but I'm sharing this so you all can meet like-minded folks, get a little hands-on training, maybe just get a few photos for your Facebook page, or maybe take some friends or sig. others outside on what will apparently be a VERY nice day (low 50's and cloud-free).

JAE

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Join us as we continue the Barcroft Park Habitat Restoration Work Parties on Saturday morning November 17 at 9:30 am.  We will continue to cut Ivy from trees as we did on beautiful fall days in September and October.  Just last week, IPC (Invasive Plant Control, the County contractor) completed its fall treatment of Ivy, Vinca, and Wintercreeper on the ground, while leaving the Ivy on trees for volunteers like us.  In taking this role, we are saving the County thousands of $$$, thereby extending IPC's technical work on a fixed budget to other County parks.  The great progress that the County, IPC and we volunteers have made removing and treating invasive plants and trees throughout the park is evident and spectacular.

See Jim Hurley’s prior post concerning the results of work to date throughout the park: dead or browning porcelainberry vines, multiflora rose thickets, Oriental Bittersweet, and 15’ Japanese Honeysuckle bushes cut off at the base and treated, as well as Norway Maple, Mimosa and Japanese Pagoda trees cut andlying on the ground. Some 25 species of invasives were targeted for work over a five week period this summer. Better yet, join us on Saturday and see it first hand.

This event is sponsored by the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists. The work party will be followed by a walk led by Jim Hurley and others to admire the results of our collective work, view mature invasive trees such as Golden Raintree and Japanese Sophora, and identify as many plants as we can.

We will meet at the picnic pavilion in Barcroft Park at 9:30 am. If you park in the Barcroft recreational area parking lot, walk past the soccer fields toward the stream and away from Four Mile Run Dr., cross the stream on the wood and steel bridge and look for the picnic pavilion on your right.  Wear long pants and long sleeves. Bring gloves, clippers and a handsaw if you have them.

This project needs you!  Every pair of hands makes a difference for this valuable ecological site. Enjoy the satisfaction of clearing invasive plants to encourage growth of native plants which provide habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Come back to Barcroft and see a park on its way to natural health. If you have worked with us in the past, come see the results of your hard work and the county investment. If you are new to Barcroft, join us to see the park that has been designated the top priority natural aea for Arlington due to its unique habitat.