You can't get any more "grass-roots"
than this! Last Sunday, 14 volunteers provided the equivalent of 28 hours of labor
to remove pesky invasive plants (read: weeds) from the trailhead at Brad Street
and Dye Drive. They filled 17 giant bags with English Ivy, multiflora rose,
garlic mustard and oriental bittersweet - as well as trash - from the
hillside. In the process, they rescued 17 young and mature trees from their
stranglehold.
This is the third year that volunteers
have convened on that spot, as part of a long-term project to create an oasis of
native habitat for the native plants, insects, birds and animals whose natural
sources of food and shelter are being crowded out by overly aggressive non-native vegetation. Thanks to all
Raymondale neighbors and friends who participated! A special thanks goes to
Falls Church High School for sending four students, who were also a great help!
The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) provided tools, free gloves and free
"Take Back the Forest" T-shirts to all participants.
But wait! There's more! Raymondale
Civic Association also wishes to thank Josh Byrd's Boy Scout Troop 863 for
picking up trash from the wetland near Luria Park on Saturday. There were some
curious finds -- baby carrier, metal pipes, you name it!
In the "other good news" department...
At long last, the new footbridge into Luria Park is now open! Stay tuned to find
out when/if the county will be repairing the rest of the boardwalk, but in the
meantime, enjoy your access to the
park!
Please enjoy this fun photo gallery from the invasive plant pull!
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