Area Residents Saving Native Plants: Weed Warriors of Carroll County

From across the woodland areas outside of the Bear Branch Nature Center located in Westminster, to the local wildlife habitats found within Piney Run Park, the Weed Warriors of Carroll County identify and manage non-native invasives. Each month, there are volunteers ready to help root out plant invaders. Both are places where local residents roll up their sleeves and provide lending hands ready to work for community and sustainability. During the course of action, volunteers pull together to reduce environmental degradation and improve local green spaces.

Five of the weeds going wild live in Carroll County:

• Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) – A leaf that has a garlic odor when crushed. Local plants compete for nutrients, light and moisture. Can displace an entire ecosystem as it takes out the insects and smaller mammals from the food web.
• Kudzu (Pueraria Montana) - Introduced from Asia for soil-erosion control. Can grow up to a foot a day and often overruns the host it lives on. Critically changing the native habitat.
• Japanese Stilt Grass (Microstegium vimineum) – The grass was used as a packing material for shipping items. The materials ended up in the local lands. Today, it is a direct threat to the understory of any forest or woodland area.
• Multifora Rose (Rosa multiflora) – Back in the 1930s, the pretty thorny shrub was used to treat poor soil and as living fences for livestock. The ornamental rose has white to pink flower that eventually overtake and choke the native plants.
• Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) – During the late 1700s, the tree was used for shade and beautification. In 1902, its popularity grew. Now, in 2017, many native plant communities compete for space with this deciduous tree as it has the potential to grow to 80 feet tall, and then some, even in during drought times.

In 2010, Carroll County Forestry Board Member Carolyn Puckett developed the Weed Warriors program in Carroll County to help with invasive species management. Her foresight and devotion improved many an acre for the citizens of Carroll County. When asked why she started the program, Puckett said “she was interested about the dangers of Stilt Grass to the environment, and wanted to have a program in place to help others learn about the importance of protecting native plants.”

Though several environmental groups within Maryland offer Weed Warriors opportunities, Carroll is one of two counties, the other being Montgomery, that have a dedicated person trained specifically for a County program.

According to Nick Yoder, Volunteer Maryland Coordinator of the Carroll County Forestry Board, “we had 86 new volunteers sign up last year, and our volunteers worked a total of 683 hours.” Yoder has seen the program grow as well as his passion for invasive species management related to wildlife habitats. “I've always loved animals and even wanted to be a veterinarian when I was growing up.” Invasive plants degrade our habitat limiting quality options for food and shelter. I figured this work combines my educational background with the joy I get from helping protect our native wildlife.”

Weed Warriors help produce better soil chemistry that leads to healthier forests for wildlife, trees, shrubs, and increase the vitality of local watersheds. Volunteers receive training before heading out to restore the land. Carroll County Public School students can earn service-learning hours this summer, and throughout the school year for participating in the program. The remaining dates for June include Saturday the 24th at Bear Branch Nature Center and Saturday the 17th at Piney Run Park. Both programs run from 9am until noon. To learn more about digging in and connecting with your area Weed Warriors contact Nick Yoder at ccforestryboard@gmail.com

Publishing Note: The author is the Vice-Chair of the Carroll County Forest Conservancy District Board