Guest Post by Maydale Weed Warrior Supervisor Ellen Mann: Maydale Needs Your Help!

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One of the most serious challenges Maydale faces is the explosion of non-native invasive species of plants (NNIs). These botanical bullies are overtaking Maydale and crowding out the native plants upon which the native animals depend for survival.


To combat these bullies, a small team of volunteers called Weed Warriors holds a workday one Saturday morning a month. Weed Warriors are volunteers trained in the identification and removal of invasive species from county parks.


Of all the NNIs, vines are the worst because they smother and strangle the trees. Therefore, Weed Warriors devote most of our time to the removal of: oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, English ivy, and winter creeper. Since the park covers 20 acres, we would really appreciate your help. So, please join us for one of our Saturday morning workdays. If you have any questions about Weed Warrior work, please contact me, Ellen Mann, at elandonmann@verizon.net. Thank you!


Weed Warrior Workdays: March 2, April 6, May 4, and June 1

* Day and time: first Saturday morning of the month, 10-11:30 AM
* Meeting place: parking lot of the former Maydale Nature Center, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville, MD 20905.
* Weed Warrior supervisor: Ellen Mann: elandonmann@verizon.net.


Weed Warrior Tips
* Wear long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy close-toed shoes. Tick spray is recommended.
* Bring gloves, pruners, and loppers. No power tools allowed.


For students, Weed Warrior work is pre-approved for MCPS-SSL hours.
* Ages under 16 are not permitted to use tools.
* Ages 14 and under must be accompanied by responsible adult.



*Weed Warrior background:
In 1999, Montgomery Parks recognized that the invasive species problem was so enormous throughout the more than 37,000 acres of parkland that it overwhelmed staff’s ability to combat it. So, they decided to invite citizen participation. As a result, Forest Ecologist Carole Bergmann established Weed Warriors, a program which trains volunteers to identify and remove NNIs. Since Ms. Bergmann retired in December 2018, the Weed Warrior training program has been suspended while Montgomery Parks seeks a new program coordinator.