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Catoctin
Mountain Park Invites Individuals and Groups to Join the Barberry Brigade It has been stated
that the invasive of non-native, alien plants is the most irreversible human
impact on earth's ecosystem. Catoctin Mountain Park hopes to lessen the impact
of Japanese Barberry through citizen involvement in the "Barberry Brigade." "Japanese Barberry
was introduced for erosion control because it grows and spreads quickly,"
states Superintendent Mel Poole, "these same traits have made it a forest
monster, displacing native vegetation that provides food and shelter for forest
wildlife. We hope to reverse this trend and encourage a balanced
forest-ecosystem with volunteer help through the Barberry Brigade." The goal of the
Barberry Brigade is to recruit 100 volunteer teams to contribute 100 hours or
more with the objective of removing visual signs of Japanese Barberry within
100 feet of all roads, trails and developed areas in Catoctin Mountain Park by
the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service on August 25,
2016. Participating individuals volunteering 10 or more hours to this cause
will receive a special patch. All members of the Barberry Brigade will be
invited to a recognition picnic on National Public Lands Day in September,
2016. The Barberry Brigade
will require more enthusiasm than skill, as plants will be literally ripped
from the soil. Interested individuals or groups may enlist by contacting
Volunteer Coordinator Debra Mills at e-mail us, or by calling 301-663-9399.Participation is possible year-round, but
conditions for pulling are best in late Spring and early Fall. Catoctin Mountain Park is one
of over 400 units administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of
the Interior. The park Visitor Center, located on State Route 77 three miles
west of Thurmont, Maryland, is open daily from 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and
until 7:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Correspondence should be addressed
to: Superintendent, Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD
21788. Our website address is www.nps.gov/cato.General information can be obtained by calling the Visitor Center at
(301) 663-9388. |
Last updated: May 16, 2018