recent event: Impact of Plastics on the Northwest Branch

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Wednesday, June 12, 7:30 - 8:45 p.m.: Impact of Plastics on the Northwest Branch

FEATURED SPEAKER Tiffany Boone-Hines, a Montgomery Blair High School student, spoke about her participation in One Montgomery Green's Clean Headwaters Program and what she has learned about the impact of plastics waste in marine environments through her hands-on study of the Northwest Branch and its tributaries.


Overall, plastic micro- and macro-pollution in waterways is a huge problem, and the Northwest Branch has its share of plastic waste.  The team, using a sieve to isolate particles which they then viewed under a microscope, found tiny bits of plastic foam and synthetic fibers.  Rather than rely on recycling plastics, we must reduce our use in the first place.   It appears that our removal of all those plastic bottles and cups from the NWB has been beneficial, however, as the amount of particles in the water was not overwhelming.  The slides from Tiffany's presentation can be viewed below.


One Montgomery Green is a local nonprofit fostering partnerships to support environmental sustainability and promote the development of a green economy. 

Macro and Microplastics pollution- Tiffany Boone-Hines (pdf)

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Recent Events

Festival del Rio: Anacostia River

Anacostia River from shore during Festival del Rio

 NNWB participated in the Festival del Rio Anacostia on Saturday,  October 13.  Held at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park, the festival was a  great opportunity for NNWB to connect with residents of PG County,  Montgomery Co, and DC about the work we do in the Anacostia watershed.  

Festival del Rio: NNWB table

NNWB table at Festival del Rio

Many stopped by to learn more how protecting the Northwest Branch is  critical to the health of the Anacostia River and the adjoining  communities. Laura Turbe, board member of NNWB, signed "passports" for participants proving they came to the table.        

Stream cleanup at Burnt Mills

White Oak M.S. cleanup helpers holding empty bags

On October 13 also, White Oak Middle School students set off to beautify the Northwest Branch at Burnt Mills by removing trash and recyclables.

Stream Cleanup at Burnt Mills

White Oak M.S. cleanup helpers

Many thanks to the students at White Oak Middle School for their help Oct. 13 cleaning up the stream valley at Burnt Mills.  Thanks also to their leader and photographer, David Field!  (Photos by Mr. Field)

Recent event: Deer Management in Montgomery County

October 3, 2018: A crowd of more than 20 residents heard from Ryan Butler, Principal Natural Resources Specialist at Montgomery County Parks, about deer impacts on our parks and on people.  He outlined current and ongoing deer population management projects near the Northwest Branch Stream Valley and said that Northwest Branch Stream Valley Unit #4 and Sligo Creek Stream Valley Unit #5 will soon be added to Park Police-based sharpshooting operations.  He stressed that before a shot is fired, the sharpshooter must track where the bullet will land and ensure there is a backstop. Participants raised the question of birth control rather than culling. This is not deemed currently feasible for such a mobile and unconstrained  population.  Park police telephone numbers to keep handy:

 Emergencies - 301-949-3010. 

Non-emergencies, i.e., to report a wounded deer, 301-949-8010. 

Find out more-link to parks deer program

Recent Event: Stream Clean-Up at W. Hyattsville Metro

July 1, 2018:  An enthusiastic team of five volunteers led by board member Maurie Kathan removed 9 bags of trash and 8 of recyclables from the stream and banks of the NW Branch behind the Metro station.  Many thanks to those who braved the very warm morning to improve the health and beauty of the Northwest Branch! 

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Recent Event: Raingarden Plants that Attract Pollinators and Birds

Chris Lewis, Professional Horticulturist and manager of the garden shop at Behnkes, showed pictures and discussed the attributes of plants that do well in soggy sites.

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Recent Event: Earth Day Stream Cleanups

NNWB sponsored three cleanup sites: Burnt Mills, Broad Acres Local Park, and the stretch of the NW Branch behind the W. Hyattsville Metro station.

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Recent Event: Exploring the African American legacy in the NWB, Mar. 17, 2018

A group of 13 explored the Underground Railroad within a remaining patch of woods along the NWB, concluding with a visit to the Sandy Spring African American Slave Museum and Art Gallery.

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Recent Event: Rethink your Yard with Rainscapes, Mar. 7, 2018

Ann English, Rainscapes Planner for Montgomery County spoke to our group of about how to turn yards into sponges to reduce polluted runoff into our streams, and how to tap into the county's program of rebates that help offset some of the cost.

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Recent Event: "Sense of Wonder" virtual bird walk, Feb. 7, 2018

A group of over 20 participants were treated to a sight-sound match of birds and their songs, along with interesting information about the birds' habits and talents.  Many of these birds are ones we can expect to see on our outdoor bird walk April 7, 9 a.m., Burnt Mills dam.

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Recent Event: MLK service weekend cleanups, Jan. 13 and 15, 2018

Check out pictures from a very cold weekend of cleanups at Broad Acres Local Park and the Lamberton Tributary. Both areas contribute trash to the Northwest Branch.  Best to get it BEFORE it gets to the Branch.

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Recent Event: Cleanup at Burnt Mills (10/28/17)

Getting ready.

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Participants from White Oak Middle School sign in and pick up bags and gloves for the morning's work.

On the job.

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We would prefer not to have to clean up careless people's trash, but those who help in this endeavor enjoy some camaraderie while they work.

Result

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After sorting and consolidation, what we removed from the stream and valley amounted to 13 bags full of recyclables and 12 bags of other trash.

Recent Event: Rachel Carson House visit (9/16/17)

Meeting at Burnt Mills Dam

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James Graham discusses the hike to Rachel Carson's home along the Rachel Carson Trail on the Northwest Branch.

Two Mile Trek

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Walking north upstream on a beautiful day, if unseasonably warm.

Rachel Carson's Pollinator Garden

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After the tour and presentations we toured the pollinator garden.