UPCOMING EVENTS

april

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Montgomery County GreenFest

Sunday, April 28, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Brookside Gardens 1800 Glenallan Ave., Silver Spring

Live musicians, drummers and dancers, kids tree climbing, vendors and exhibitors, electric vehicle and car show, food trucks, more!  NNWB will have a table.  Come visit us!

Link to Greenfest website

may

Two young stream cleaners with bags of trash and recyclables

Upper Northwest Branch cleanup

Saturday, May 4, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Leader: Vanessa Kulick, vankulick@gmail.com

Park along Alderton Rd. near the NWB Trailhead.  Access Alderton from Bonifant Rd.

Wear long pants, long sleeves, and shoes that can get muddy.  Rubber boots would be even better, as some of the area is low and holds water.   Bring your water bottle.  Gloves and bags will be provided.  We will walk about 10 minutes to the NWB from the end of the NWB Trail.   If you weren't available for our April cleanups, here's another chance--and a chance to see a part of the NWB you may not be familiar with!  You might get a chance to see how the environmental mitigation under the ICC is doing.  Join us!


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! 

See pictures

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.

See pictures

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.

See pictures

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.

See pictures

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.

Find out more

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.

See pictures

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.

See pictures

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.