January in the Neighborhood: Save local forests and sing to the trees

Volunteers at a 2021 cleanup show off their invasive species haul (Rock Creek Conservancy photo)

The world’s problems – political, environmental, and otherwise – can seem overwhelming, and it can feel like there’s little we can do as individuals to effect change. We do have the power to tackle local issues, however, and can make a big and immediate difference.

DCist recently gave, as an example, the non-native invasive species attacking East Coast forests. “[W]hen it comes to forest health: put on some gloves and boots and you can have a noticeable impact with a few hours of work.”

There are several opportunities to do so this month in Rock Creek Park. Volunteers working under the guidance of certified Weed Warriors will be pulling invasive plants from locations including Reservation 630 and Broad Branch Stream. Rock Creek Conservancy’s volunteer calendar also includes an MLK Day trash cleanup at Peirce Mill and lanternfly spotting at Trail 9 on January 6th.

Save the trees, and sing to them too: Friends of Peirce Mill is inviting its members to a winter wassail on Saturday, January 6th, to carry on the ancient English tradition of singing to fruit trees to wake them from their winter slumber. Beverages from a local distillery and cideries will also be served. Becoming a member is simple – check out the options here.

Hike and learn: Starting at the barn at Peirce Mill, a Rock Creek Park ranger will lead a January 13th hike and and talk on the formerly enslaved people who lived and worked in the park, and their lives after Emancipation. You’ll find details here.

Pre-TV entertainment: Peirce Mill is hosting an all-ages winter workshop on Saturday, January 20th. Stop by anytime during the mill’s hours, noon to 4 p.m., to learn about flip books and toys that amused people in the days before TV and smartphones.

Sing your heart out at Levine: Levine Music’s Community Sing event returns to its original Upton Street campus on Wednesday, January 10th. The only requirement: a love of singing. RSVP here.

Shop for a cause: Carpe Librum’s used book and music shop will be popping up again at 4340 Connecticut Avenue, this time for four days, and inside Van Ness Main Street’s UDC-donated office. Proceeds from the sales go toward literacy programs. Check it out on Friday, January 12th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, January 13th through MLK Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Save the date: The Hillwood Museum is closing after January 14th for its annual deep clean, but it will reopen for its annual Crêpe Day festival on February 3rd and 4th.

Saturday, February 3rd is also the date of another Peirce Mill winter workshop: a demonstration of Kente cloth weaving.