Volunteers Preserve Ecosystem on Charlestown's Campus

CATONSVILLE, MD (May 19, 2016) – Patapsco Heritage Greenway volunteers today partnered with Charlestown retirement community residents to remove invasive garlic mustard at several locations on the retirement community’s 110-acre campus, including the lake and the land near Herbert Run branch that runs into the Patapsco River. This invasive plant has spread to several forested sections within Charlestown, crowding out native plants that are essential to preserving the ecosystem.

Thirteen volunteers helped to remove 15 bags – each one weighing about 300 pounds -- of the plant in just about an hour and a half.

Garlic mustard was first recorded in the United States in the late 1800's and was brought to this country by European settlers to use as a cooking herb. Although it still can be used for that purpose, there are no natural controls for it in Maryland.

Deer do not like garlic mustard. The plant has displaced vast areas of native wildflowers and it is toxic to the larvae of several native butterflies.

Patapsco Heritage Greenway works closely with Charlestown resident Bert Clegern, who recruits and leads many other resident volunteers in the retirement community’s resident-run groups, including:

(1) Resident Council, which oversees many activities, including grounds and conservation actions.
(2) Nature Trail Committee, whose focus is on the ½-mile Nature Trail which parallels about half of the one-mile portion of the East Branch of Herbert Run, which flows through Charlestown’s property. The group annually cleans out part of the stream.
(3) Invasive Plants Crew, which works in winters on cutting ivy, grape vine, and other vines out of the many trees on campus. During April-June, this crew pulls garlic mustard. Summer brings miscellaneous projects, and then the cycle starts all over again.

Patapsco Heritage Greenway restores, protects, enhances and interprets the environment, history and heritage of the Patapsco River Valley. Its volunteers will return in June to work with Charlestown residents to conclude the garlic mustard removal.

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Caption for attached photos: Volunteers remove garlic mustard from Charlestown campus.

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