Restoring Habitat – 2,000 Native Plants

Matt Bright, Earth Sangha, explained the project to visitors walking by Haul Road on June 9.

On June 9, 2018, twenty volunteers and National Park Service staffers planted another 1,000 native plants on a cleared .65-acre site along the Haul Road trail.  The site was previously overrun with non-native or invasive plants, like English ivy, mile-a-minute and stiltgrass.

The group found many snails in the soil and on nearby plants.

During two days of planting (the first was on May 9, 2018), the team put in over 2,000 plants, 60 native species.  The project is an initiative of FODM and three partners -- the National Park Service, Earth Sangha and the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV).  These native species will provide more support for the native insects, birds and other wildlife with which they co-evolved. 

FODM appreciates grants from the National Environmental Education Foundation, Transurban, ASNV and Earth Sangha and member donations to purchase plants.

Photos contributed by Glenda Booth.

Katherine Isaacson helped put in plants and trees.

Volunteers put in a colored flag for each new plant.

Many plants were only three to six inches tall. Some will grow to four feet or more.