Langdon Park: Invasive Species Removal
We’re Saving Langdon Park Forest from Invasive Species
Join CCAN, The Langdon Park Forest Stewards, and Casey Trees to get outside and remove invasive plants! Take part in the exciting Assisted Natural Regeneration efforts happening to restore the forest at Langdon Park in NE DC.
What to Expect: We will start with a brief training on non-native invasive species and best practices for removal, and spend about 2 hours removing invasives. We will focus on non-native invasive plants like Bush (Amur) Honeysuckle, multifloral rose, kudzu, and English Ivy.
Upcoming Events
FAQ
Select an event date above and click “register” for each date you would like to attend.
A reminder email will be sent out the day before with detailed instructions on where to meet. We will meet at the parking lot of the Langdon Park Rec Center.
Please wear long pants, long sleeves, and close-toed shoes. Instructions and tools will be provided, so just bring yourself and a good attitude!
Yes, kids (under 16) are welcome to participate in events! However, they need to be accompanied by a guardian. Based on the guardian’s discretion and child’s comfortability, kids are welcome to use the tools provided, such as pruners, loppers, and pullerbears. These tools are sharp and should be handled with care. Kids should wear long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy, close-toed shoes since we may be working in areas with thick brush where poison ivy is present, so the less exposed skin the better!
Embedded among 100 year old homes sits Langdon Park in Northeast DC Ward 5. A ~11 acre park with a pool, skatepark, basketball courts, a dog-park, community garden plots, and a 2.2 acre forest. In this forest, you will find over 30 different types of native trees, including tulip poplars, black cherries, dogwoods, lindens, ashes, and more!
But, these trees need our help. Invasive species have taken over, limiting the sun and space that native trees need to thrive. Come join us this summer as we use hand tools to remove invasive species like porcelain berry, kudzu, english ivy, and bush honeysuckle. All experience levels are welcome.
CCAN, The Langdon Park Forest Stewards, and Casey Trees are partnering to lead volunteers in multiple events each month throughout the summer to remove these invasive plants and help restore Langdon Park Forest Patch.
Trees serve many important roles in protecting the environment and our health including....
- Cleaning the air and water by absorbing harmful pollutants, like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide.
- Cooling the city’s temperature, mitigating the impact of urban heat island effect, by providing shade and evaporation.
- Preventing soil erosion and runoff after rainstorms by filtering water
- Supporting biodiversity through providing habitat for species such as migratory birds and the park’s resident fox.
Help us restore the urban tree canopy alongside the DMV community.
Meet Burnley Truax: CCAN’s Invasive Species Volunteer Coordinator
Burnley Truax is joining CCAN as a Volunteer Coordinator for this project. She brings a background of public health, native plant restoration, and a joy of building relationships between people and the environment. As an avid biker, gardener, and scuba diving enthusiast, Burnley enjoys any activity outside and being in awe of the world we live in. If you have questions or comments about this effort, please reach out to Burnley@chesapeakeclimate.org
Resources:
- Use this guide from Casey Trees to explore Langton Park Native Trees.
- Learn about how invasive species removal is one of the most effective ways to promote native tree growth, a process called Assisted Natural Regeneration.
- Watch a short film about the Langdon Park Forest Stewards.
