An “oasis in the city” needs our help

Rock Creek Park is an oasis of nature in the middle of our city, but nature in a city needs a lot of human help to thrive.

Rock Creek Conservancy has identified five “mini-oases” where it is focusing its restoration efforts over the next two years. By 2020, it aims to show “what a fully restored forest can look like,” and apply what it’s learned to restoring the rest of Rock Creek Park.

One mini-oasis is a section of Melvin C Hazen Park west of Connecticut Avenue.

The mini-oasis in Melvin C Hazen west (image courtesy of Rock Creek Conservancy)

Rock Creek Conservancy says this spot has been invaded by invasive species:

The area currently houses a large variety of invasive plant species including an almost 100% distribution coverage of groundcover English ivy. The site also features bush honeysuckle and a large swath of bamboo directly south of the community garden.

Restoration efforts through this summer will focus on removing the invasive plants to prepare the site for native species planting this fall.

And this is where you come in. You can support Rock Creek Conservancy’s efforts with your donations, and your time. Track volunteer events here (there’s one Sunday, March 10th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.), and see what a difference you can make.

Get out of here English ivy! Right now Melvin Hazen is covered in invasive plants (pictured here). Volunteer this weekend to help transform this Rock Creek oasis.

Learn more and sign up >> https://t.co/xV7ckNlFFt pic.twitter.com/3VG6BBGJpS

— RockCreekConservancy (@LoveRockCreek) February 28, 2019