Opportunity Search Results

Description

MPEA Conservation Stewardship Project: Invasive Plant Removal & Spring Flower Watching II | Middle Patuxent Environmental Area | Apr 21, 2026 | 9:00am - 11:30am | Ages 18+ (or 13-17 with a guardian present)

Garlic Mustard is a tenacious herbaceous plant that may chemically alter the soil, rendering it less suitable for many native plants and fungi. Volunteers help pull this invader each March and April with the goal of maintaining previously cleared patches, as well as finding and removing any new satellite invasions.

In addition, a significant amount of Wineberry is present in the area. Wineberry is a spiny, rapidly growing shrub which can form vast thickets and has required the implementation of a variety of control methods over several years: volunteers' control methods will involve digging or hand-pulling these invasive shrubs.

While a significant amount of time will be spent dealing with these two invaders, we will also search for and identify many species of spring ephemeral flowers. With luck, our trip will coincide with the annual blooms of gorgeous Virginia Bluebells near the river. Plan on spending the first half of the morning removing invasive species and the latter half finding native wildflowers.

Job Duties:
- Hand-pull and bag (to prevent seeding) invasive Garlic Mustard plants
- Dig and hand-pull Wineberry shrubs
- Observe and learn about native spring ephemeral wildflowers, while removing any incidental invasive species

Notes:
- Training, plant removal tools, and supplies will be provided
- Precautions for the thorns, ticks, poison ivy, & stinging insects that may be encountered should also be taken
- This event may be cancelled in the case of adverse weather conditions (such as moderate to heavy precipitation, high winds, or lightning)
- There is no make up date

Please Bring/Wear:
- Drinking water
- Snacks, if desired
- Work gloves
- Long pants
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
- Appropriate clothing for the weather

Additional info:

- Minimum age 18 (or 13-17 with a guardian present)
- Weather may cause us to cancel BUT we may reschedule.

Requirements

Minimum age: 13

Description

MPEA Conservation Stewardship Project: Shelter Clearing | Middle Patuxent Environmental Area | May 09, 2026 | 9:00am - 11:30am | Ages 18+ (or 13-17 with a guardian present)

Non-native, invasive plants pose a continuing threat to our habitat restoration efforts, particularly within areas hosting native trees & shrubs planted and sheltered by staff and volunteers. On these days, we'll remove vines and vinelike plants from some of these areas, freeing our young trees & shrubs from the threat of smothering. If time, weather, and site conditions permit, we'll also install additional native plants in select areas.

Job Duties:
- Hand-pull, dig, and (if necessary) bag Mile-a-Minute, Japanese Honeysuckle, and any other non-native invasive species found

Notes:
- Training, tools, and supplies will be provided
- Precautions for the ticks, poison ivy, & stinging insects that may be encountered should also be taken
- This event may be cancelled in the case of adverse weather conditions (such as moderate to heavy precipitation, high winds, or lightning)
- There is no inclement weather date

Please Bring/Wear:
- Drinking water
- Snacks, if desired
- Work gloves
- Long pants
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
- Eye protection (recommended)
- Appropriate clothing for the weather, including sun protection

Additional info:

- Minimum age 18 (or 13-17 with a guardian present)
- Weather may cause us to cancel. There is no makeup date.

Requirements

Minimum age: 13

Description

MPEA Conservation Stewardship Project: 05/19 Shelter Clearing | Middle Patuxent Environmental Area | May 19, 2026 | 9:00am - 11:30am | Ages 18+ (or 13-17 with a guardian present)

Non-native, invasive plants pose a continuing threat to our habitat restoration efforts, particularly within areas hosting native trees & shrubs planted and sheltered by staff and volunteers. On these days, we'll remove vines and vinelike plants from some of these areas, freeing our young trees & shrubs from the threat of smothering. If time, weather, and site conditions permit, we'll also install additional native plants in select areas.

Job Duties:
- Hand-pull, dig, and (if necessary) bag Mile-a-Minute, Japanese Honeysuckle, and any other non-native invasive species found

Notes:
- Training, plant removal tools, and supplies will be provided
- Precautions for the thorns, ticks, poison ivy, & stinging insects that may be encountered should also be taken
- This event may be cancelled in the case of adverse weather conditions (such as moderate to heavy precipitation, high winds, or lightning)

Please Bring/Wear:
- Drinking water
- Snacks, if desired
- Work gloves
- Long pants
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
- Appropriate clothing for the weather, including sun protection

Additional info:

- Minimum age 18 (or 13-17 with a guardian present)
- Weather may cause us to cancel. There is no makeup date.

Requirements

Minimum age: 13

Description

MPEA Conservation Stewardship Project: Japanese Barberry Removal | Middle Patuxent Environmental Area | Jun 23, 2026 | 9:00am - 11:30am

Japanese Barberry is an abundant foe of the environmental area, and controlling this species requires continued efforts every year. Luckily, this invader is relatively easily uprooted; as such, on this day we will revisit an ever-expanding restoration site to continue digging and hand-pulling these spiny shrubs.

Job Duties:
- Dig or hand-pull invasive Japanese Barberry shrubs

Notes:
- Training, plant removal tools, and supplies will be provided
- Precautions for the thorns, ticks, poison ivy, & stinging insects that may be encountered should also be taken
- This event may be cancelled in the case of adverse weather conditions (such as moderate to heavy precipitation, high winds, or lightning)

Please Bring/Wear:
- Drinking water
- Snacks, if desired
- Work gloves
- Long pants
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
- Eye protection (recommended)
- Appropriate clothing for the weather, including sun protection

Additional info:

- Minimum age 18 (or 13-17 with a guardian present)
- Weather may cause us to cancel BUT may be scheduled.

Requirements

Minimum age: 13

Description

2026 Tree Steward Volunteer | Middle Patuxent Environmental Area | Feb 1, 2026 - Jan 1, 2027 | Sunrise - Sunset |18 yrs. +

The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA) seeks volunteers to assist with the maintenance of the 2500+ planted trees and shrubs within its borders.

A phone interview and online video training & quiz will be required for any prospective volunteers.

Volunteer Duties:
- Manual removal of intruding vegetation on established tree and shrub plantings by pulling, cutting, digging, etc.
- Submit records of all removal activities using provided planting site maintenance form.

Qualifications:
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Must be able to lift 10 lbs or more.
- Must be able to work outdoors alone.
- Must be able to hike up to 1.5 miles round trip on unpaved trails.
- Phone interview required.

Training:
- 20-minute online training video and quiz.
- Additional training and training materials provided as needed.

Time Commitment:
- Minimum 1 hour per month. Volunteers will choose the days they work. All hours must be reported.

Requirements

Minimum age: 18