Virginia Master Naturalist Invasive Plant Removal Day is Saturday May 4
ARMN is featuring three events to celebrate Virginia Invasive Plant Removal Day. Join us at one of these events and bring your family and friends.
HOG – 9 am – 11 am
This is the second anniversary of our initial work day in the HOG area – Haley Park/Oakridge Elementary/Gunston Middle School Woods! We started in 2011 with a big boost from local LDS church members, ARMN members, Master Gardeners, VNPS members and Arlington County.
Our woods is home to foxes, raccoons, hawks and many other birds. It is also an outdoor classroom for the elementary school and the middle school. Volunteers may be in time to see the blooming of the Pinxterbloom Azalea and the wild black cherry. The area has been invaded by many exotic plants, notably Bush honeysuckle and Japanese honeysuckle, Wisteria, English Ivy, Euonymus, Porcelain Berry, Oriental Bittersweet, Multiflora rose, White Mulberry, Ailanthus etc. etc. On May 4, we’ll focus on garlic mustard, now blooming, English ivy honeysuckle and others.
We especially need knowledgeable volunteers to help direct first-timers. Wear long sleeves and pants, gloves and stout shoes with good soles. The terrain is hilly, rough, and has patches of poison ivy and brambles! Bring a refillable water bottle, and clippers or saw if you have them. The location is 2400 S. Meade St., Arlington VA.
Contact: Jennifer Frum at 703-300-2496.
Isaac Crossman Park – 9 am to 1 pm
The focus in this park will be multi-flora rose, garlic mustard and English ivy. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants and sleeves and perhaps a hat and bring a water bottle. Bring garden gloves and tools if you have them. Training and additional tools will be provided. Volunteers older than 9 years are welcome; a parent or guardian will be needed to sign the volunteer sing-in sheet for those under 18. We will meet at the park entrance, 1900 Westmoreland St., near N Westmoreland St and 19th Rd N, Arlington. Street parking is available. The closest metro stop is East Falls Church Metro Station.
Contact: Sarah Archer (571-237-3085), sarcher@arlingtonva.us.
Gulf Branch Nature Center – 10 am to 12 pm
Volunteers will sweep the park removing every evil garlic mustard plant we find! We are really starting to get it under control and I think this will be the year we turn the corner – so please join us! It’s recommended that volunteers bring water, a snack, sun screen & insect repellant. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants and long sleeves. Also bring work or gardening gloves if you have them. Onsite training will be provided for garlic mustard identification and removal techniques.
Gulf Branch Nature Center is located at 3608 Military Rd., Arlington. Please park on Military Rd or 36th Rd, as our parking lot can only take a few cars. The nature center is ~150 feet down the driveway. Meet on the upper terrace.
Contact: Jennifer Soles (703-288-3403, jsoles@arlingtonva.us)
