Starting in 1999, volunteers have removed almost all of the English ivy, Japanese stiltgrass, Chinese privet, Swedish ivy, Asiatic bittersweet, Japanese knotweed, Japanese honeysuckle, and other plants from Europe and Asia to rescue native violets, ferns, orchids, asters, St. Andrew’s cross, and other native American plants that contribute to global biological diversity. These native plants provide ecosystem services that reduce CO2 emissions and storm water and nitrogen runoff to the Chesapeake Bay. Invasive species, especially vines, generally can survive the new climate better.

Our happy volunteers have something to show you:

Miranda Vargas, Madeline Pinckert, Erin Curran with Japanese honeysuckle pile at Ruth Swann Park on 10 January 2009 (photo by Bruce Kirk)