Mary Farrah, the Extension Agent for the Cooperative Extension Service at UDC and a recent Forest Hills contributor (on native plants), says free soil testing is available to residents, used bikes in good shape are needed, and some classes on invasive species and what to do about them are being offered.
The Environmental Quality Testing Lab at UDC is Open and Providing Free Soil Sampling to DC Residents and Gardeners!
I am very pleased to announce that our college’s (CAUSES) lab, The Environmental Quality Testing Lab at UDC is open! A special offer is available for DC residents and gardeners! We will provide one free soil quality testing service for DC community and home gardeners! The test includes micro and macro nutrients and environmental trace metals such as lead. To apply for the service, please follow the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/196iyqIAI3w0vIncl_ZEN7CYAxSBamwJ0qP0bKioY_Rg/viewform. We will contact you as soon as we receive your online application to schedule the sampling time.
If you have any questions reading this application, please feel free to contact Dr. Tolessa Deksissa at his email ([email protected]) or phone (202-274-5273). We look forward to receiving your application.
Requesting Bicycle Donations for the 4-H Bike Club
Is that old or broken-down bike of yours doing nothing but collecting dust? Or are you looking for an excuse to buy that new bicycle you’ve been eying? Why not donate your old bike and make a difference in a District youth’s life? The 4-H Bike Patrol Club is teaching basic bicycle repair, and participating youth will then be given a club-repaired bicycle. Mountain bikes are preferred. Both pick-ups and drop-offs are available!
Please contact 4-H Extension Agent, Jaime Brown, for more information or scheduling at [email protected] or 202-274-7136.
“Let’s Get Growing” Gardening Workshop – Georgetown Library- Saturday, July 26th at 2:00 PM
Let’s Get Growing is a comprehensive overview for beginning or novice gardeners that want to learn more. The topics we’ll cover are useful in both new and already established gardens, including: garden planning, vegetable families, soils, fertilizers, pests and pathogens. The Georgetown Library is located at 3260 R St. NW.
Information about this event and the link for the registration will be posted here: http://dclibrary.org/node/43141
MAIPC Biocontrol Workshop- Going Beyond Pull, Cut, & Spray: Managing Invasive Plants with Biocontrol Agents – Monday, July 28th and Tuesday, July 29th
The Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council (MAIPC) has really outdone itself and has found excellent speakers for this two-day workshop. For those of you interested in bio-control as an alternative to other forms of invasive plant management, come learn more about this fascinating subject! Speakers will present case studies and the latest research on biocontrols for terrestrial and aquatic invasive plants in the Mid-Atlantic. Our goal is to facilitate discussion and share practical management advice among researchers, land managers, program coordinators, and policy makers. The event will be held at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center (5200 Glover Road, NW Washington, DC 20015). This event is free!
Please register here: http://www.maipc.org/Workshop2014/registration.html
DPR Invasive Plant Class – Wednesday, August 13th
Come learn about the invasive plants of Washington, DC and about native alternatives for your landscape. I co-teach this class with Ana Chuquin of Rock Creek Park and Damien Ossi of the District Department of the Environment. This evening class will take place at the Raymond Recreation Center located at 915 Spring Road, NW.
More information and registration is available here: http://dcdpr.asapconnected.com/CourseDetail.aspx?CourseId=57581
Invasive Plant Class at Casey Trees – Wednesday, August 20th and Saturday, August 23rd
Come join Ana (NPS), Damien (DDOE) and I (UDC Extension) at Casey Trees to learn about non-native, invasive plants and how they are threatening our native landscapes. Participants will learn how to identify and control species of non-native, invasive plants found in the Washington, D.C. area. Native alternatives to common non-native, invasive plants and incoming invasive plants will also be discussed. The course consists of two parts on two different days: a 2.75 hour classroom session at the Casey Trees headquarters (August 20th, 6:15 PM – 9:00 PM) followed by a 2.5 hour field session (Saturday, August 23rd, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM) in Rock Creek Park. Dinner is provided on Wednesday evening.
Information about this event and the link for registration are available here: http://caseytrees.org/event/class-non-native-invasive-plant-removal-3/