Other Activities

Weed Warriors
Little Bennett's forests, wetlands and meadows are gradually being threatened by an increasing number of invasive plant species. Such plants often do not provide feed source for park wildlife and tend to force out native plant species which do. In some instances (for example, multiflora rose) such invasive plants can become a considerable nuisance to the park, create eyesores, and even become impenetrable barriers that prevent movement through the park.

In addition to multiflora rose, among several other invasive plants that have been sighted in Little Bennett Park include ailanthus (tree of heaven), barberry, bush honeysuckle, stilt grass, mile-a- minute, and porcelainberry.

While there are exceptions, for the most part the heavily wooded and canopied forests of Little Bennett generally tend to be less prone to invasion by non-native plants. Their canopy usually prevents sufficient light from reaching the understory to enable non-native plants to take hold there.

However, around the forest edges and in wetlands and meadows that are not mown periodically and where sunlight can easily reach the ground, many invasive plants have often taken root, and in some instances are beginning to expand to several acres in extent.

The Friends of Little Bennett are working with the Park's managers to identify and control some of the worst areas. We periodically conduct work days in the Park where our experienced "Weed Warriors" lead work parties in identifying and removing invasive plants.

You do not need to be a MNCPPC-qualified Weed Warrior to participate in our work parties that are led by one of our Weed Warriors. We would hope, though, that after participating in a couple of our work parties, you would soon want to become one. We would like to be able to schedule work parties at least monthly but the Park is large and more volunteer Weed Warriors are needed.

Weed Warrior Program
Weed Warrior volunteers take a short online tutorial and receive a 2-hour training session from the MNCPPC Forest Ecologist about invasive plants, and how to remove and control them. Qualified Weed Warriors work at their own pace and schedule their own projects.

If you would like to become a Weed Warrior or just want more information about non-native invasive plants in Montgomery County, you can attend one of MNCPPC's training sessions beginning March, 2008.

For further information visit the Weed Warrior website, call their Volunteer coordinator at 301-942-4709, or email them.

A few Friends of Little Bennett removing non-native invasive plants along Hyattstown Mill Road.