Greetings!
Have you noticed that "green blanket" covering plants and trees along
roadways and parkland edges? Porcelainberry and Mile-a-minute (aka Devil's
tearthumb) are aggressive non-native invasive plants. Now is a good time to
cut and clear these plants before they go to seed in the Fall. [More info
below.]

Join me next Saturday, August 9, from 9 to 11 am at Macomb Street & Mass Ave
NW (next to Washington Hebrew Congregation). Tools will be provided courtesy
of NPS Rock Creek Park. I'll demonstrate how to properly remove these
invaders, plus how to recognize and avoid poison ivy.

Wear long sleeves, long pants, sturdy shoes, bug repellant. Broad-brimmed
hats are great protectors from sun and bugs. Bring gloves, water, heavy duty
trash bags.

Children aged 12 and older accompanied by an adult are welcome!

Even 30 minutes of your time will help make a difference. Please let me know
if you can attend so enough tools are available. Thanks!

Joan Furlong * Rock Creek Park "weed warrior"
202-215-4637
Black Cat Ivy

MORE INFO:
Porcelainberry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata) vines can grow up to 15 ft. in
a single growing season, especially when rainfall is abundant, and seed may
be viable in the soil for several years.
Mile-a-minute (Persicaria perfoliata) is an annual vine and a prolific
seeder, with seeds lasting as long as seven years in the soil.

Here are National Park Service fact sheets with photos:
http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/ambr1.htm
<blocked::http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/ambr1.htm>
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http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/pepe1.htm

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