Help the Suitland Bog

Sponsoring Organization: Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation

Please participate in a special opportunity to help protect a rare, local ecosystem at Suitland Bog. Technically not a bog but a fen, this unique gem provides a home to the carnivorous pitcher-plant as well as other unusual plants in a 60-acre protected area inside the Beltway. It features a half-mile boardwalk and a wooded trail.

We'll remove plants that compete with the rarer plants in need of protection. TO WORK IN THE BOG: PLEASE SCRUB THE SOLES OF YOUR SHOES BEFOREHAND AND BRING THEM IN A BAG TO PUT ON AT THE BOG.

The park ranger will be there to talk about the park and provide tools.

If you need a ride from the metro, indicate so in your rsvp and hopefully we can work something out.

More park info: http://www.pgparks.com/Things_To_Do/Nature/Suitland_Bog.htm.

Directions: The google map does not show it but there is a road between Suitland Parkway and Kingswood Drive. Drivers can turn onto that road (the gate should be open) and park at the circle, where we will meet. The best way to get there from the District or 295 is to take Suitland Parkway. The park is about 10 minutes or so from SE Capitol St.

From the Capital Beltway (I-495), take Exit 7A (Branch Avenue), toward Waldorf. Take Route 5 south. Take the Allentown Road exit. Make a left onto Allentown Road. Stay on Allentown Road through five lights. Turn left onto Suitland Road at the 6th light. Follow Suitland Road until it passes under Suitland Parkway. The entrance to the Suitland Bog is to the right.

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=suitland+bog+address+suitland+md &fb=1&gl=us&hq=suitland+bog+address&hnear=Suitland,+MD&view=map&cid=11995914629326988347&ll=38.840911,-76.901293&spn=0.026073,0.053816&z=14&iwloc=A

Bring: Tools are provided but feel free to bring your own. Wash and bring your shoes in a bag to work in the bog. Bring water.

Notes: There is poison sumac in the bog and contact with it, even in the dormant stage, can create a reaction in people that are allergic, so long sleeves, long pants, and gloves should be worn. The ranger marks the trees but there is still the chance he will miss one.