Consider this: Twenty years from now we can have ten alien plant species covering much of the Park, or we can have our 372 native plants thriving in impressive variety!
Why RIP
We are losing the Park to invasive plants. These are non-native plants, which out-compete our many native species, and which are growing far faster than our members have been able to remove them. As vines sweep over mature trees and also stifle seedlings, we worry that in ten to twenty years there will be significantly fewer trees. We also expect a smaller array of native plants, as they lose habitat space. If we plan to keep the native plants we have had for centuries, now is the time to act.
How
In August the Friends of Sligo Creek Board asked the Department of Parks to partner with us in a plant removal program. The Park will provide removal advice and support as needed, and we will inform Sligo residents of the plant problem and invite their help in the park. The program, called RIP for Removing Invasive Plants, will be launched this spring.
Who
Friends of Sligo Creek has divided the watershed into sections, which allows individuals to get involved in activities in their own neighborhoods. This winter each section will initiate a RIP team, to include a leader, an invasive plant specialist, and an event coordinator. The team will report to an overall Friends of Sligo Creek RIP Coordinator. We hope a steady corps of residents in each section will work at regular planned events through much of the year, with others participating occasionally as they can.
The RIP Program Will Offer
Regular invasive plant removal work events
Training in invasive plant identification
Weed Warrior instruction so that individuals may obtain Park approval to work on their own
Encouragement in recruiting friends and neighbors to join the effort
Join a Team!
To request RIP announcements (phone or email), to become involved in your section RIP team, or for further information, contact Jane Curtin, 301-565-2411 or E-mail.
