UPCOMING EVENTS

April 2018

Our April bird walk has unfortunately been hit by the prospect of rain and snow and was postponed.   We will, however, celebrate Earth Day with clean-ups all along the NWB. 

April 21, Saturday

Earth Day Weekend Clean-ups.   Please come and help!  Wear shoes that can get muddy and long pants and sleeves.  Bring your water bottle.  Gloves and bags will be provided.  Bring your friends and make it a fun way to improve the health and beauty of the Northwest Branch!

 

NW Branch behind the W. Hyattsville Metro Station
9 a.m. -12 noon
New parking fee $2 on Metro lot.
Leader: Maurie Kathan, maurie.kathan@gmaiil.com

Broadacres Local Park
9 a.m. - noon
Park free at JoAnn Leleck E.S.
710 Beacon Road Silver Spring  Leaders: Kristen Backert and Michael Evans, 62evansm@cua.edu

NW Branch at Burnt Mills Special Park East
9:30  - 11:30 a.m.
Park free at 10701 Columbia Pike (Colesville Rd.) Silver Spring
Leader: Larry Hush, lwhush@yahoo.com 

April 29, Sunday

Macro-invertebrate monitoring in NWB.

9:30 a.m. 

The NNWB site is just downstream from the NWB trailhead at  Kemp Mill Road. 

 You are welcome to come observe.

May 2018

In May, we’ll visit Rachel Carson’s home and hike the stream’s mid-section along the Rachel Carson Trail when the Mountain Laurel is in full bloom.

May 2, Wednesday

NNWB meeting

7:30 p.m.

Topic and location TBD

May 5, Saturday

Montgomery County's Greenfest.

Jesup Blair Local Park

900 Jesup Blair Dr, Silver Spring 

11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

NNWB will participate with a table showcasing what we do for the Northwest Branch.

May 12, Saturday: Bird Walk, postponed from April 7

Bird Walk with leader Ross Feldner
Burnt Mills Dam, 9:00 a.m.
Because a large group would scare the birds away, the leader has requested we limit the group to 10-12. Please email anambler@gmail.com to sign up.  

May 27, Sunday

Rachel Carson Open House

Hike on the Rachel Carson Trail

Date, time, and starting location TBD

June 2018

In the warmth of June we’ll explore the lower section of the Northwest Branch by biking from the Beltway to its confluence with the Northeast Branch, then hop on a boat to boat down the mainstem of the Anacostia. (provisional) (picture by Anacostia Watershed Society)

June 2, Saturday

Bike Ride - along the Lower NWB from Beltway to Mainstem

Start time and location TBD. Stay tuned.

June 6, Wednesday

NNWB meeting

7:30 p.m.

Topic and location TBD

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Getting ready.

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

On the job.

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

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

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

Two Mile Trek

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

Rachel Carson's Pollinator Garden

After the tour and presentations we toured the pollinator garden.