Flexible Schedule
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Clarksville, MD 21029
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 more info. Tree & Shrub Planting Tuesday, March 21 / Trotter Parking Area / 9-11:30am Removing invasive exotic plants, while a crucial step, is only one component of habitat restoration. We visit a site already cleared of invasive plants and install native trees and shrubs that will benefit the local ecosystem. Plants are also protected with deer exclusion shelters. Invasive Plant Removal & Spring Flower Watching Tuesday, April 11 / South Wind Circle Trailhead / 9-11:30am Tuesday, April 25 / South Wind Circle Trailhead / 9-11:30am Garlic mustard and wineberry are tenacious invasive species that our volunteers traditionally remove every spring, particularly alongside one of our most scenic trail routes. After hand-pulling and digging up the two target species each morning, embark on an educational wildflower walk highlighting the blooming spring ephemerals. Shelter Clearing & Breeding Bird Atlas Saturday, May 13 / Trotter Parking Area / 9-11:30am Tuesday, May 23 / South Wind Circle Trailhead / 9-11:30am Non-native, invasive plants pose a continuing threat to our habitat restoration efforts, particularly within areas hosting trees and shrubs planted and sheltered by staff and volunteers. Remove vines and vinelike plants from some of these areas, freeing our young trees and shrubs from the threat of smothering. On May 23, participants will receive an introduction to the Breeding Bird Atlas community scientist survey. Japanese Barberry Removal Tuesday, June 20 / Trotter Parking Area / 9-11:30am Japanese Barberry is an abundant foe of the environmental area, and controlling this species requires continued efforts every year. Luckily, this invader is easy to uproot. Revisit an ever-expanding restoration site to continue digging and hand-pulling these spiny shrubs.
Date Posted: May 16, 2023
Flexible Schedule
|
Clarksville, MD 21029
2023 MPEA Plant Propagation Project | Middle Patuxent Environmental Area | Ongoing Opportunity| Dusk - Dawn | Ages 18+ MPEA habitat restoration efforts often include removing non-native invasive plants and replanting areas with native plants, and a significant quantity of native plant material is needed for these efforts. Many species can be propagated from plants on site, providing local ecotypes as well as species not readily available for purchase. The MPEA is seeking independent volunteers for the project, who will: Job Duties: - plant starter plants from seed into flats, quarts, or gallons - water established plants and repot as needed - under staff direction, collect seeds of or transplant desired plant species within the MPEA - assist with planting grown plants in designated habitat restoration areas - review the literature to assist with the creation of a propagation notebook for the habitat restoration species list A phone interview and onsite training will be required for any prospective volunteers.
Date Posted: May 16, 2023
