Campers Pull Invasive Plants at New Germany

Volunteers, Staff Battle Botanical Bullies

Teams of young women joined forces with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Conservation Corps to remove more 700 pounds of invasive plants from New Germany State Park. 

These volunteers, members of the Washington, D.C. Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, devoted much of June 20, working in the park as part of their annual summer camp.

The teams targeted coltsfoot, crown vetch, exotic bush honeysuckles, garlic mustard and Japanese stiltgrass, among other invasives. 

“Controlling invasive plants is one of the goals in our strategic management plan, so this was an important project for us,” Park Manager Erin Thomas said. “It’s exciting to have such a large group of volunteers helping us achieve this objective.”

The project was organized by local plant experts, Liz McDowell and Ron Boyer, both active volunteers with the Friends of New Germany.