In the City of Alexandria, the Dept. Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA), Natural Resources Division; Dept. T&ES, Office of Environmental Quality; and Ford Nature Center have partnered together to maximize the City’s efforts in eradicating invasive exotic species. The ongoing restoration work at the following sites are some of many ongoing invasive exotic plant removal and stream clean-up efforts in Alexandria sponsored by the City and its partners, including the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust; Arlington Regional Master Naturalists; Virginia Native Plant Society, National Park Service; T.C. Williams High School, George Washington Middle School, and Alexandria City Public Schools; Episcopal High School; Volunteer Alexandria; various civic groups, neighborhood associations, and residents; and others. Through these collaborative efforts, the City typically hosts several large-scale, volunteer invasive exotic plant removal workdays each year, as well as numerous ongoing projects.
Invasive exotic species are recognized nationally and locally as a costly and leading threat to healthy ecosystems. The estimated annual cost of invasive species in Virginia is $1 billion (Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation). Non-native invasive plants, animals, and diseases occur in all of Virginia's ecosystems and negatively affect water quality, wildlife populations, and other natural resources. Virginia's citizens can improve the situation by not planting or spreading invasive plants, by removing invasive species on their own properties, and by helping to remove them from parks and other public areas (IPRD 2012).
On May 5 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, the City will again participate in the annual Statewide Invasive Exotic Plant Removal Day – sponsored by the Virginia Master Naturalists and Virginia Native Plant Society – by hand-pulling Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) throughout parks and natural areas in Alexandria. Garlic Mustard is easy to recognize and easily pulled and therefore appropriate for a variety of volunteers and ages. Moreover, a lot can be accomplished by targeting this species because numerous plants can be effectively removed and each plant pulled and bagged prevents hundreds to thousands of seeds from germinating into future years’ crops.
Garlic Mustard poses a severe threat to native plants and animals in forest communities in much of the eastern and midwestern U.S. Many native wildflowers that complete their life cycles in the springtime (e.g., Spring Beauty, Bloodroot, Dutchman's Breeches, Toothworts, and Trilliums) occur in the same habitat as Garlic Mustard. Once introduced to an area, Garlic Mustard outcompetes native plants by aggressively monopolizing light, moisture, nutrients, soil, and space. Wildlife species that depend on these early plants for their pollen, nectar, foliage, fruits, seeds, and roots are deprived of these essential food sources when Garlic Mustard replaces them. Humans are also deprived of the vibrant display of beautiful spring wildflowers.
We welcome volunteers! For those interested in participating in this event at the following City of Alexandria locations, please contact Rod Simmons at Rod.Simmons@alexandriava.gov or visit http://www.
Bags will be provided. Please bring gloves, water, and wear sturdy shoes (we will have gloves on hand for those who don’t have them). Sandals, shorts, and short-sleeved shirts are not recommended.
Chinquapin Park and Forest Park: These adjoining parks are high priorities for Garlic Mustard removal, especially where the Garlic Mustard is concentrated on a hillside at the eastern end of Chinquapin Park and along the main trail from the park entrance. We can accommodate at least 75 volunteers or more at these parks. (See Conservation Assessment and Natural Resource Management Plan for Chinquapin Park and Forest Park, City of Alexandria, Virginia at http://alexandriava.gov/48838 for more information on the parks, as well as natural resource management in the City of Alexandria.)
Directions: Shirley Highway (395) to King St. (Rt. 7) east exit. Continue east on King St. past intersection of Braddock Road and Quaker Lane and just past T.C. Williams High School to Chinquapin Dr. on right. Turn right onto Chinquapin Dr. and immediately left into small parking lot facing King St. (Additional parking above the park along Chinquapin Dr.) Walk from parking lot to entrance of Chinquapin Park at edge of woods (visible from parking area). Meet at the entrance sign.
Dora Kelley Nature Park: A large City park that stretches along Holmes Run at the eastern end of the Holmes Run Gorge. We also want to be sure to include the section along Holmes Run between Beauregard Street and the Shirley Highway (395) bike path tunnels. Past Garlic Mustard removal efforts in these areas have been very successful, however new infestations need to be removed. We can easily use 50 volunteers at these sites (or more).
Directions: Shirley Highway (395) to King St. (Rt. 7) west exit. Gradually move to left lane after exiting and take left onto Beauregard St. at bottom of hill (Beauregard St. becomes Walter Reed Dr. at this intersection at edge of City of Alexandria and Arlington County). Follow Beauregard St. south and uphill past Seminary Rd. and downhill to Sanger Ave. Take right onto Sanger Ave. and continue to its end. Turn left into parking area and proceed to parking lot at woods edge and park. Meet at Ford Nature Center, 5750 Sanger Ave.
Timber Branch Park: A small stream valley park along Timber Branch, just off W. Braddock Road. This site will require the fewest number of volunteers, with 10 or so probably sufficient to cover the park.
Directions: Shirley Highway (395) to King St. (Rt. 7) east exit. Stay in right lane of King St. after exiting and take first right onto Menokin Dr. (church on corner). Take immediate next right onto N. Van Dorn St. and follow to intersection of Braddock Road. Take left onto Braddock Road at light and proceed east past Episcopal High School and past intersection with King St. and Quaker Lane and continue east to Timber Branch Parkway on right (TB Pkwy is a long, linear loop). Turn right onto Pkwy and continue along park about half-way down its length to bridge. Park and meet at bridge.
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