This program is part of our Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the staff of Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
On Saturday, April 26, at 1:00pm, help us remove invasive garlic mustard from a meadow in the refuge. We will partner with Refuge staff, Audubon volunteers and neighbors to make more space in the meadow for native grasses that birds love!
Garlic mustard's roots release chemicals that alter the important underground network of fungi that connect nutrients between native plants, inhibiting the growth of important native species. Luckily it can be easily removed - but there is a lot of it! Learn more about Garlic mustard here.
Upon arrival, attendees will meet USFWS Visitor Services Specialist, Gabriela (Gabby) Youngken, in the Central Parking Lot (not the Visitor Information Center.) There is a half-mile walk to the removal site.
No experience necessary! We will show you how to identify and remove Garlic mustard. Trash bags will be provided. The area may be muddy so please bring rain boots or waterproof shoes, and gardening gloves if you have them.
Meet at the Central Parking Lot, not at the Visitor Information Center lot. Registration recommended but not required, please feel free to bring a friend!
At 3:00pm, there will be an optional iNaturalist walk. Get iNaturalist downloaded to your phone in advance. A tutorial will be given on how to log an observation. April 26 is part of the City Nature Challenge - so the more observations we make, the better!
Please be sure to wear closed-toed shoes, long pants and long socks to protect against ticks, and please do a tick check when you get home.
