Remove Invasive Vines:
SAVE THE TREES!
Free your trees from being overtaken by invasive vines at no cost to you.
Trained CCAN volunteers will come to your residence and remove invasive vines from your trees using simple hand tools.
Saturday, May 9th, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Join CCAN, The Langdon Park Forest Stewards, and Casey Trees to get outside and remove invasive plants! Take part in the exciting Assisted Natural Regeneration efforts happening to restore the forest at Langdon Park in NE DC.
We will meet at the parking lot of the Langdon Park Rec Center at 10am. We will start with a brief training on non-native invasive species and best practices for removal, and spend about 2 hours removing invasives. We will focus on non-native invasive plants like Bush (Amur) Honeysuckle.
Please wear long pants, long sleeves, and close-toed shoes. Instructions and tools will be provided, so just bring yourself and a good attitude!
A reminder email will be sent out the day before with detailed instructions on where to meet.
Saturday, May 16th, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Work alongside staff from the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) and the District’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to remove English Ivy from the trees at Hillcrest Park!
We will start with a brief training on invasive species and removal techniques then apply what we’ve learned by removing the arborized non-native invasive vine, English ivy (Hedera helix) from the trees. Instructions, tools, and personal protective equipment is provided, so all you need to bring is a can-do attitude!
We’ll be outside so dress according to the weather and in comfortable, sturdy work clothes (long pants, long sleeves, boots with good tread) that you don’t mind getting dirty or snagged.
Wednesday, May 20th, 9:00am – 11:00am
Join Meredith from CCAN and DOEE to remove Invasive Vines at Branch Ave Park in DC.
We will meet at the entrance to the park along Eerie St. at 9am. We will start with a brief training on non-native invasive species and best practices for removal, and spend about 2 hours removing invasives. We will focus on non-native invasive vines including porcelainberry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata) and English ivy (Hedera helix).
Please wear long pants, long sleeves, and close-toed shoes. Instructions and tools will be provided, so just bring yourself and a good attitude!
A reminder email will be sent out the day before with detailed instructions on where to meet.
Saturday, May 30th, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Join Meredith from CCAN to remove Invasive Vines around the Hillcrest neighborhood in Washington DC.
We will meet at the Hillcrest Rec Center and spend 30 minutes doing training. From there we will break into pairs and head to a list of pre-surveyed residences in the area to offer vine removal for residents. We may also drop off flyers at additional residences.
We will focus on non-native invasive vines including porcelainberry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata) and English ivy (Hedera helix). Please wear long pants, long sleeves, and close-toed shoes. Instructions and tools will be provided, so just bring yourself and a good attitude!
A reminder email will be sent out the day before with detailed instructions on where to meet.
Saturday, June 6th, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Join the Hyattsville Tree Stewards and the City of Hyattsville to remove Invasive Vines around the neighborhood.
We will meet at University Hills Park and spend 30 minutes doing training. From there we will break into pairs and head to a list of pre-surveyed residences in the area to offer vine removal for residents. We may also drop off flyers at additional residences.
We will focus on non-native invasive vines including porcelainberry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata) and English ivy (Hedera helix). Please wear long pants, long sleeves, and close-toed shoes. Instructions and tools will be provided, so just bring yourself and a good attitude!
A reminder email will be sent out the day before with detailed instructions on where to meet.
CCAN is partnering with Casey Trees to tackle invasive vines on both private property and public lands in Prince George’s County and DC.
Our Goal is to mobilize volunteers in disadvantaged communities to save thousands of trees, connect with community members, and empower residents to take ownership of their local trees.
Non-native invasive plant species, particularly vines, pose a significant threat to trees. Trees provide countless benefits to both people and wildlife, including sequestering carbon!
- Help to filter air and water
- Control stormwater
- Conserve energy
- Provide habitat
- Reduce noise
- Add economic value to communities
DIY: Learn How to Remove Invasive Vines with This Video!
Can’t wait to get started saving trees before one of our events?
Watch this video to learn how to remove invasive vines on your own (or with a friend or three!)
You’ll learn how to identify English Ivy and the proper steps to remove it.
Our Events:
Park events: Join these if you’ve never removed invasive vines before and want to learn how! We will host park events on a monthly basis. This is an opportunity to get trained in invasive vine removal and help out ecosystems in our local green spaces
Door-to-door events: These will be the beating heart of our program. We will be heading out on foot every other week to knock on doors and remove invasive vines from private residences. This is an opportunity to engage in conversations, educate the public, and provide a much-needed service to community members. These are also a fantastic way to get your steps in! Please attend a park event first so we can train you to safely and effectively remove invasive vines.
Want to Get Involved With CCAN's Invasive Vines Program?
Request Invasive Vine Removal
Meet Meredith Prescott: CCAN's Invasive Vines Manager
“In my time working in DC parks, I have built trails, planted trees, installed countless erosion control structures, and even constructed a boardwalk or two. However, there has been no project that is both rewarding and low-maintenance like invasive species removal. It’s a tangible, hands-on way to make a noticeable difference in a short time and a great way to build community around outdoor work. We may not be able to fix the systemic issues that have gotten us to this point in the climate crisis, but we can all go outside and tackle those invasive vines one by one. And in the face of massive biodiversity loss at a global level, it is more necessary than ever.
I am thrilled to kick off this new chapter with CCAN, reigniting this volunteer program and working towards making every green space accessible and thriving. Every vine pulled is a step towards a greener, more equitable world. Let’s get to work!”
Read the full blog post here:
Resources:
- Learn about the threat of invasive vines
- Learn how you can remove invasive vines
- Download the Invasive Vines Handout in English
- Download the Invasive Vines Handout in Spanish
This project is sponsored through a partnership between CCAN and Casey Trees, and is funded in part by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
