2024 Middle Patuxent Environmental Area Conservation Stewardship Project

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The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area Conservation Stewardship Project (MPEA CSP) addresses the issue of invasive exotic plant species in Howard County Recreation & Parks’ Middle Patuxent Environmental Area. Invasive exotic plants reduce native floral diversity by competing for sunlight, resources, and space, and other poorer quality or insufficient food and habitat for native wildlife; they may also increase soil erosion and reduce water quality, or present a nuisance to visitors. During the CSP events, volunteers help combat this problem through the removal of invasive plants and the restoration of native, ecologically appropriate species. Each event also includes an educational component concerning the target species or area of the day.

Registration is required, see requirements section for links and more info.

Shelter Clearing & Monarch Tagging Demonstration

Tuesday, September 10 / Trotter Parking Area

Non-native, invasive plants pose a continuing threat to our habitat restoration efforts, particularly within areas hosting trees & shrubs planted and sheltered by staff and volunteers. On this day, we’ll remove vines and vinelike plants from some of these areas, freeing our young trees & shrubs from the threat of smothering. Weather and presence permitting, we’ll also take advantage of the milkweed filled meadows to hold a demonstration of Monarch butterfly tagging for the Monarch Watch Tagging Program!

Japanese Barberry Removal

Tuesday, September 24 / Trotter Parking Area

Japanese Barberry is an abundant foe of the environmental area, and controlling this species requires continued efforts every year. Luckily, this invader is relatively easily uprooted; as such, on this day we will revisit an ever-expanding restoration site to continue digging and hand-pulling these spiny shrubs.

Perennial Pollinator Planting

Tuesday, October 8 / Trotter Parking Area

Removing invasive exotic plants, while a crucial step, is only one component of habitat restoration. As such, on this day we will visit a site already cleared of invasive plants and install native flowering perennials that will benefit the local ecosystem.

Autumn Olive Removal

Tuesday, October 22 / South Wind Circle Trailhead

Tuesday, November 5 / Trotter Parking Area

Autumn Olive shrubs are an unwelcome but plentiful remnant of the game farm that once existed in this area, and are relentless invaders requiring the implementation of a variety of control methods over several years. We have made great headway on several acres that we will expand upon this morning. Volunteers will cut down these shrubs to provide room for park staff to return and perform subsequent treatment. Any Japanese barberry shrubs found will also be dug-up and left to dry out.