A Sustainable Chesapeake BETTER MODELS FOR CONSERVATION

Edited by David G. Burke and Joel E. Dunn

THE CONSERVATION FUND

The case study you have downloaded is highlighted below. Other case studies from this Chapter of A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation can be individually downloaded. The editors encourage readers to explore the entire Chapter to understand the context and principles involved with this and other featured case studies. The full publication contains 6 Chapters in total: Climate Change Solutions, Stream Restoration, Green Infrastructure, Incentive Driven Conservation, Watershed Protection and Stewardship.

CHAPTER 6 STEWARDSHIP

Introduction...... 220.

Hull Springs Farm of Longwood University...... 221. Using Stewardship Plans to Create a Sustainable Conservation Model . on Virginia’s Northern Neck . By Bobbi Burton and Kathleen M. Register

Fox Haven Organic Farm...... 229. . Restoring and Regenerating the Land for Food Production and Watershed Protection. By David G. Burke

USDA Conservation Programs...... 237. Improving Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. By Clay Robinson and David G. Burke

Using Engineered Wetlands to Enhance Water Quality...... 243. A Natural Treatment System at the Philip Morris USA Property Along Virginia’s James River. By Joel E. Dunn and David G. Burke

Sustainable Infrastructure at Navy and Marine Corps Installations...... 253. An Effective Approach to Controlling Stormwater Entering the Bay. By David Cotnoir and David M. Boone

Controlling Exotic Invasive Plants in Parks and Natural Areas...... 263. A Site-Based and Weed-Based Approach in the Anacostia Watershed. By Jorge Bogantes Montero and Dr. Marc Imlay

Effective Techniques for Invasive Plant Control and Wildlife Habitat Restoration...... 271. . Integrated Vegetation Management at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge. By Rick Johnstone.

A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation | Editors—David G. Burke and Joel E. Dunn | The Conservation Fund, 2010 6 Controlling Exotic Invasive Plants in Parks and Natural Areas

Stewardship 263 -

fishable, in keeping with the Clean keeping with the in fishable, the health and enjoy for Act, Water in the community. ment of everyone managing the extensive In addition to the program, plant control invasive programs restoration organization’s open lands, reforesting also involve pollu- removing wetlands, restoring banks in stream tion, and stabilizing the sub-watersheds. about 20 flows River Anacostia The in Prince its headwaters miles from Counties and Montgomery George’s River the Potomac in Maryland to It is the most D.C. in Washington, in the watershed densely populated million people and with 1.1 region urban and suburban predominantly parks in the wooded The land use. a particularly serious have watershed than 21 exotic with more problem (Puer- plants, such as kudzu invasive Rosa rose ( ), multiflora aria lobata ) and Japanese honeysuckle multiflora to ). In an effort japonica (Lonicera of stewardship community improve health and the environmental the river watershed, River of the Anacostia Society has Watershed Anacostia The Plant Invasive an Exotic developed (IPSCP). Program Species Control A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation nvasive Plants Plants nvasive I developed an innovative method to method to an innovative developed invasive exotic and control eradicate - species in public parks in the Anacos watershed. tia River Society is a Watershed Anacostia The working organization local non-profit environmental on community-based and restoration, ecological education, and protect to programs advocacy - water River the Anacostia restore the river make is to shed. Its mission and and its tributaries swimmable

tudy Summary tudy Multifora rose, an exotic .

e S Cas one plant species are invasive Exotic - biodiver to threats of the biggest function in the sity and Removal watershed. Bay Chesapeake in nature plant populations of invasive and parklands improves reserves species, native quality for habitat heritage of the the natural protects a bet- and creates region, Chesapeake public recreation. for environment ter Society has Watershed Anacostia The Volunteers with the Anacostia Watershed Society are driving a strategic attack on exotic attack on exotic Society are driving a strategic the Anacostia Watershed with Volunteers half dramatic improvements by removing that has already made invasive plant species the invasive plants on more than 802 acres at 23 sites in the Anacostia River watershed. A Site-Based and Weed-Based Approach in the Anacostia Watershed Approach and Weed-Based A Site-Based Controlling Exotic Exotic Controlling Areas Natural and in Parks The IPSCP is a long-term project that engages local residents in  Anacostia Watershed a coordinated effort to remove invasive plant species from parks in the watershed. The program was designed in 2005 by Dr. Marc Imlay, a conservation biologist with extensive experience with invasive plant spe- cies. The IPSCP uses site-based and weed-based approaches that involve targeted herbicide application, hand removal, hand removal with tools, bagging, and re-vegetation. The site-based approach aims to eradicate all invasive plants from a particular park, whereas the weed-based approach focuses efforts on the most significant exotic invasive plants in a park. Since teaming up with Dr. Imlay, the Anacostia Watershed Society has removed approximately 47 acres of invasive plants and tackled 21 highly invasive species in seven parks throughout the watershed.

Resource Management Challenge The ecological impacts of biological invasions caused by exotic invasive species are massive. Invasive spe- cies can eradicate native and fauna and destroy natural habitat, which leads to the degradation of ecosystem functions by disrupting ecological processes. Hundreds of species extinctions can be attributed to the spread of exotic invasive spe- The Mid-Atlantic region of the United allows for light penetration and cies throughout the world. States has been subject to a serious propagule distribution either by wind biological infestation of more than or animals. The remaining forests in Uncontrolled exotic invasive species 200 exotic invasive plant species.2 the Anacostia watershed, which cover can also result in substantial costs to Most of the plants are native to Asia approximately 25% of the landscape the economy by affecting agriculture and Europe and were brought to the in a matrix of urban/suburban land and landscaping infrastructure. The region either purposefully, for use use, are irregular, scattered, and often globalization and increase in inter- in horticulture or erosion control, or invaded by non-native highly invasive national trade and tourism provide accidentally through trade or tour- plant species. The fragmented urban unprecedented opportunities for ism. These plants now successfully forest patches remaining in the species to be spread accidentally and reproduce in areas throughout the Anacostia river watershed have been deliberately.1 Moreover, ornamental Chesapeake Bay watershed and often considerably damaged by invasive plant nurseries are still selling highly have no natural predators to keep plant species populations. The invasive plant species that lead to their populations in check. Invasive negative impact on the native biota is wide-spread intentional propagation plants often do well in fragmented striking and in need of rapid attention. of the destructive plants. habitats with lots of edge, which

264 A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation 6 Controlling Exotic Invasive Plants in Parks and Natural Areas

Stewardship 265 - General Interns Volunteers Staff AWS’s and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Foundation; Cafritz and Gwendolyn and Edith Fund; Curtis Horning Family Fish National Munson Foundation; Maryland- Foundation; and Wildlife and Planning Park Capital National - Pro Environmental U.S. Commission; Morningstar and the Agency; tection Foundation. Society has Watershed Anacostia The the for advice important also received experts: the following from program (Department of Plant Tangren Sara Dr. Architecture, and Landscape Sciences Karen Dr. of Maryland), University of University (geologist, Prestegaard, scientist, (soils Maryland); Del Fanning Michele of Maryland), Dr. University University Dudash (entomologist, (orni Donovan Mike and Maryland), of a botanist Metzger, Joe thologist). Plant Soci- the Maryland Native from identify plant has also helped to ety, the watershed. species throughout service hours of volunteer many The success. the program’s crucial to are Watershed As part of the Anacostia education environmental Society’s elementary, from students program, been schools have and high middle, of the volunteer a major component the students provides This workforce. and hands-on with both classroom to their adding depth experience, field - and strength experience educational Church Groups AWS-IPSC A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation High Schools Middle Schools Schools Elementary ntation Resources Implementation on this date made to progress The an equivalent has program innovative $433,000. of approximately cost $18/ at valued labor was Volunteer Of $22/hour. at staff hour and AWS $400,000 approximately this total, contributions volunteer represents hours. staff AWS were and $33,000 work 3,000 to labor is equivalent The 2008. 2005 to from performed days by has been financed program The organizations: eight from grants Morris Foundation; the Bancroft Volunteers at Greenbelt Park, Greenbelt, Maryland. at Greenbelt Volunteers

rvation Vision ervation Cons plant species cover invasive Exotic in the areas parks and natural many that watershed River Anacostia has movement the conservation habitat from protect been trying to other anthropogenic and destruction Imlay Marc In 2005, Dr. disturbances. Watershed Anacostia that proposed program Society lead a stewardship invasive exotic on controlling focused species in these parks and natural in Hawaii has worked Imlay Dr. areas. plant on invasive and North Carolina his share pleased to species and was scientifically He proposed experience. methods, which employed rigorous and of site-based a combination to approaches control weed-based plant populations. tackle the invasive Society Watershed Anacostia The engaged and the program assembled members of all ages and community volunteer in its extensive backgrounds their Through in the effort. network these work, of hard hours countless reduced dramatically have volunteers plant species popula- invasive exotic tions in the watershed. Before and after the removal of kudzu from a sapling in a reforested area along the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River Hyattsville, Maryland.

ening the invasive species control an iterative or adaptive management Removal Methods and Research program. In addition, volunteers from process—a “learn by doing” approach Hand removal: Hand removal is the church groups and concerned citizens that results in better ways to imple- preferred method because it is harm- have donated substantial amounts of ment the program at different sites less to the environment and draws their time. and with different focal species. public attention towards the problem An important component of the of invasive exotic species. Hand Conservation Strategy program has been the incorpora- removal is also simple for people of The IPSCP controls invasive plants tion of an early detection/rapid most ages to perform and can be through a combination of site-based response approach. Early detection/ effective for most invasive species. and weed-based strategies. The rapid response includes surveillance, Nevertheless, this technique requires site-based strategy focuses on identification, risk assessment, and substantial volunteer effort and can the removal of all exotics from quick response to new invasions of be difficult when dealing with spiny 3 a given site for the purpose of exotic plant species. The discovery species like wineberry (Rubus phoe- protecting keystone biotic resources of the rapidly expanding wavyleaf nicolasius) or multiflora rose Rosa( (threatened species populations, basketgrass (Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. multiflora). Plants must be removed fragile habitats, etc.) from the harmful undulatifolius) in 2005 at Little Paint with the entire root system because impacts of exotic invasive species. Branch Park in Beltsville, Maryland, some of the species may have the The weed-based strategy directs was an example of early detection/ ability to sprout from underground limited resources to the worst invasive rapid response for the protection of stems and root fragments. It is species, such as lesser celandine natural protected areas. The plants critical to use this method before the (Ranunculus ficaria) or English ivy were quickly controlled in the park, fruits and seeds have matured and (Hedera helix). With both methods, protecting native species and existing dispersed. Hand-removed biomass of the Anacostia Watershed Society uses habitat. species such as English ivy (Hedera

266 A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation 6 Controlling Exotic Invasive Plants in Parks and Natural Areas

Stewardship 267

by basal bark, hack and squirt, or cut squirt, hack and basal bark, by as a use of herbicides The stump. species invasive of exotic component in the been essential has control through these efforts of improvement and, therefore, efficiency greater of herbicide impact. Expanded use when large is sometimes necessary - not avail are numbers of volunteers herbicides of application The able. adult trained, is only carried out by personnel. method This Biological Control: of living organisms, the use involves and parasitoids, such as predators, exotic invasive control to pathogens, agent biological control species. The exotic is typically identified in the as influential location species’ native It growth. its unchecked in reducing any for studied is then thoroughly may damage its introduction potential it be harmless, to If it is found pose. The areas. in the problem is released Society just Watershed Anacostia (a species of using weevils started expanding rapidly control to beetle) - (Polygo of mile-a-minute populations A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation Volunteers remove weeds at Northwest Branch Volunteers College Park , MD. of the Anacostia River, is an agrochemical that usually bonds that is an agrochemical soil particles, which prevents to by leaching and uptake excessive of spraying plants. Instead non-target plants woody invasive of the foliage maple, Norway heaven, of tree as such which is normally and Chinese privet, herbicide a concentrated unpractical, either the tree into solution is injected - The removal of invasive exotic plants at The removal of invasive exotic plants at Cherry Hill Park, College Park, Maryland. phosate, in natural areas. Glyphosate Glyphosate areas. in natural phosate, The The herbicide application: Targeted Society uses Watershed Anacostia approved, federally targeted, carefully gly as such herbicides, biodegradable Bagging: plant species that For easily, sprout the ability to have bagged, the hand-pulled plants are and dumped. the site, from removed due preferred bags are Contractor to and resistance their toughness to fruits of some species The tearing. (Ampelopsis porcelainberry like also bagged ) are brevipedunculata disposed. and properly This method This with tools: Hand removal shrubs pull out stout has been used to x (Lonicera bush honeysuckle like periwinkle plants like ), trailing spp. have minor), or plants that (Vinca such as lesser stems, subterranean (Ranunculus ficaria). The celandine of the plant can system root entire be pulled out using a four-pronged The the soil is wet. when spading fork species can then be invasive uprooted piled up and left on site. ) or multiflora rose (Rosa multi- helix) or multiflora pile ) is usually left in one on-site flora decompose. to Targeted Invasive Plant Species in the Anacostia River Watershed Species Methods Time of the Year Beefsteak plant (Perilla frutescens) HR/H Summer Bush honeysuckle (Lonicera x spp.) HR/TR/H Year-round Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) H/TR Winter Common periwinkle (Vinca minor) TR/H Winter/Year-round English ivy (Hedera helix) HR/TR/H Winter/Year-round Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) HD/H Spring Gill-over-the-ground (Glechoma hederacea) HR/H Winter Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) TR Year-round Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) HR/H Late Spring/Summer Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) H/TR Year-round Japanese stilt grass (Microstegium vimineum) HR/H Late Spring/Summer Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) H Spring/Summer Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) TR/H Late Winter Mile-a-minute (Polygonum perfoliatum) HR/H/Bio Spring/Summer Multiflora rose Rosa( multiflora) TR/H Year-round Porcelain-berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata) H Spring/Summer Purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) HR Spring/Summer Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) Bio Spring/Summer Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) HR/H Year-round Wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. undulatifolius) HR/H Spring/Summer Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius) TR Year-round

HR: hand-removal; TR: hand-tool removal (with spading fork); H: herbicide application, Bio: biological control.

num perfoliatum) and will soon target any exotic invasive species, species that are in their first stages of release shipments of another beetle the Anacostia Watershed Society infestation either at a very local level species to control purple loosestrife has focused on the most prevalent or at the larger landscape level. (Lythrum salicaria) populations. The and highly invasive species in the The use of site-based and weed- weevils (Rhinoncomimus latipes) were watershed. based approaches, combined with applied at a mile-a-minute patch in adaptive management, has been vital the Northwest Branch of the Anacos- Results in addressing the abundant plant tia River, contiguous to Magruder Park As of April 2009, the Anacostia invasions throughout the watershed in the city of Hyattsville, Maryland. Watershed Society removed at least with limited resources. Additionally, 21 invasive plant species from a total Re-vegetation: Planting native trees, the early detection/rapid response area of approximately 47.2 acres. shrubs, and herbs is an integral approach promptly controlled the These figures are estimates because method of erosion control after outbreak of wavyleaf basket grass acreage was not recorded for all invasive plant removal. It is also one before it became widespread and out species removed. The invasive plant of the most commonly used habitat of control. removal was performed at 23 sites, restoration methods in this program. the majority of which were public rec- A site near the 38th Street Bridge, The Anacostia Watershed Society reational parks in Maryland. Removal on the Northwest Branch of the works with nurseries to ensure that efforts help control the dispersion of Anacostia River near Hyattsville, all the seedlings are native species of harmful species that would otherwise has especially benefited from this local provenance. affect sensitive and remnant urban program. As a consequence of levee Target Invasive Species natural areas if left unmanaged. This construction in the 1950’s, much of Even though plant removal efforts is particularly true for the control of its natural channel morphology was

268 A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation 6 Controlling Exotic Invasive Plants in Parks and Natural Areas

Stewardship 269 replaced with large, angular blocks of with large, replaced Anacostia The (rip-rap). granite gray an Society conducted Watershed re-vegetation native experimental the slope at on the rip-rap project demonstrate to bank in order river annual the county’s to an alternative of herbicide, mowing-and-spraying open-land a native also restore and to is disappearing that ecosystem in Maryland. rapidly individual than 9,080 more In 2007, species locally native plants of 27 site. the Hyattsville at planted were and observations results Preliminary with the plot cultivated that show species along the herbaceous native support the river slopes of rip-rap (80 plant species diversity more than those and wildlife plant species) the mowing-and- subject to are that method (43 plant species spraying the end of the survey). at found the plantings provide native These the park added benefit of improving a continuum landscape and providing along wildlife for of open-land habitat the riverbanks.

1 7.20 3 3 9 0.1 3.5 0.2 0.5 6.11 0.6 1.49 4.73 0.22 6.02 6.09 0.09 0.09 A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation 0.145 0.8475 0.4638 otal: 4 Area of Plants Area Removed (Acres) (Acres) Removed ) Species Wavyleaf basketgrass basketgrass Wavyleaf ) lobata (Pueraria Kudzu Hedera helix ) (Hedera English ivy Acreage of Invasive Plants Removed (2005-2009) Plants Removed of Invasive Acreage ) rose (Rosa multiflora Multiflora ) (Alliaria petiolata Garlic mustard Vinca minor ) (Vinca periwinkle Common ) (Rubus phoenicolasius Wineberry ) sinense (Ligustrum Chinese privet ) frutescens plant (Perilla Beefsteak ) x spp. (Lonicera Bush honeysuckle ) (Ailanthus altissima Tree-of-heaven Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria ) celandine Lesser ) perfoliatum (Polygonum Mile-a-minute ) purpureum Purple deadnettle (Lamium ) Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. undulatifolius ssp. (Oplismenus hirtellus Lonicera japonica) (Lonicera Japanese honeysuckle ) (Glechoma hederacea Gill-over-the-ground T Microstegium vimineum) (Microstegium grass Japanese stilt ) cuspidatum (Polygonum Japanese knotweed ) (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata Porcelain-berry the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River in Hyattsville, Maryland. the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia Volunteers plant native herbaceous plants in an experimental plot along plant native Volunteers Keys to Success Photos and Figures 3National Invasive Species Council. hhInvolve the public and engage All photos and figures by the 2003. General Guidelines for the enthusiastic volunteers, such as Anacostia Watershed Society except Establishment and Evaluation of school groups, church groups, and page 264, Burke Environmental Invasive Species Early Detection interns. Associates/The Conservation Fund and Rapid Response Systems. U.S. hhLink invasive plant species control Department of Interior, Washington, with public environmental educa- References D.C. 18 pp. Available online at: http:// invasivespecies.nbii.gov/documents/ tion to increase awareness of the 1International Union for Conservation problem. inv_NISCEDRRGuidelineCommunica- of Nature. 2000. IUCN Guidelines for tion.pdf. hhUse an adaptive management the Prevention of Biodiversity Loss approach and be flexible with the caused by Alien Invasive Species. Fifth proposed control methods. Meeting of the Conference of the Par- ties to the Convention on Biological hhUse the early detection/rapid response approach to avoid further Diversity, Nairobi, Kenya, 15-26 May, serious invasive plant invasions that 2000. 21 pp. Available online at: threaten to become costly. http://www.cites.org/eng/com/AC/16/ Inf16-10.pdf. hhSupport your actions with scien- tific criteria, even if the project 2Swearingen, J., K. Reshetiloff, B. is an on-the-ground stewardship Sattery and S. Zwicker. 2002. Plant effort. Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas. hhSecure stable and long-term finan- Report by the National Park Service, cial resources because invasive and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. plant species control is a long-term Washington, D.C. 82 pp. Available conservation project. online at: http://www.nps.gov/plants/ alien/pubs/midatlantic/.

i For More Information

Project Contact: Anacostia Watershed Society Phone: (301) 699-6204 | www.anacostiaws.org

270 A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation