Upcoming Events
Winter - Spring 2020 Meetings, White Oak Library, 11701 New Hampshire Ave., 7:30 - 9 p.m. Join us!
- February 4: Plastic pollution. Dr. Kathleen Michels, neuroscientist, will discuss the effects of microplastics (plastic bits less than 5 mm long) on fish and sea birds, and synthetic turf as one source, both when used and when discarded. Microplastics have been found in Anacostia River fish and tributary sediments. She will also discuss bills in the Maryland General Assembly aiming to reduce plastic bags, helium balloons, plastic straws, and synthetic turf. This program previews the 2/18 presentation by marine ecologist and environmental toxicologist Jesse Meiller hosted by our sister organization Friends of Sligo Creek. Please join us! But if you have a conflict, consider attending the FOSC meeting. Either way, you will be thoroughly educated on the harm plastics are doing to us and to other inhabitants of our planet.
- March 3: Board election and TBD
- April 7: Agenda TBD
- May 5: Agenda TBD
- June 2: Agenda TBD
Everyone interested in improving the health of the Northwest Branch is invited!
Stream cleanups
Sunday, March 29, 10:00 - Noon
Lamberton Tributary
Meet near the end of Lamberton Drive.
Leader: Laura Turbe, president@neighborsnwb.org
This cleanup is joint with Kemp Mill Citizens Assn.
Rain date April 5
Saturday, April 25, 9:30-11:30
Burnt Mills Park East (downstream side of Colesville Rd.)
Leader: Larry Hush, lwhush@yahoo.com
For all cleanups, be sure to wear long pants and sleeves, shoes that can get muddy, and bring your reusable water bottle of water. Bags and gloves will be provided. Greet the spring by joining neighbors to remove whatever has accumulated over the winter and spruce up your park for the season! The birds and other wildlife will appreciate your removal of litter they could mistake for food.
October-November 2019 stream cleanups: Improving the health of the Northwest Branch. Thanks to all who helped!
On Oct. 26, 17 volunteers, mostly members of the National Junior Honor Society, hauled 17 bags of trash and assorted metal objects from the Northwest Branch at Burnt Mills, upstream of Colesville Rd. Photo by J. Hornick.
Recent Event: 10/1/19 Program: Mechanized Bikes/Scooters
Our October 1 program featured Mr. Charles Kines, AICP, CPRP, Park Planning Coordinator, who explained the Montgomery County pilot program allowing mechanized bikes and scooters on paved park trails. If you missed the program, you can find information about it on the MoCo Parks website at: Montgomery County's pilot program to allow mechanized bikes and scooters on paved park trails. You can also find the slides from Mr. Kines' presentation linked below. (Photo by Laura Turbe of a scooter abandoned beside Pine Lake in Wheaton Regional Park.)
Recent event: Lamberton stream cleanup Sept. 29, 2019 (Photos by Jason Hornick)
Getting ready.
Recent event: August 6 general meeting
The NNWB August meeting included reports on the beltway-I-270 expansion plan and a proposal to build a new middle school in the NWB floodplain in Hyattsville, both using Public-Private Partnerships (P3). We also discussed the Montgomery Parks pilot project to allow certain mechanized bikes and scooters on paved park trails and NNWB plans and speakers for the fall.
Recent Event: Impact of Plastics on the Northwest Branch
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.
Recent Event: NNWB cleanup on the upper NWB, 5/4/19 : 12 volunteers, 18 bags, 3 tires, car parts, surf board. Fantastic job! Thanks to everyone!
Jennifer came down from Burtonsville to help out!
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recent event: NNWB at GreenFest 2019
All set up and ready to go!
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Recent Event: April 13, 2019 cleanups: Kemp Mill Rd., Lamberton Trib, Burnt Mills, and W. Hyattsville Metro.
Kemp Mill Rd. site: NNWB teamed up with One Montgomery Green. 14 workers collected 12 bags of trash, 5 of recyclables.
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Recent Event: Spring cleanup at Burnt Mills, Woodmoor side, April 6, 2019: 28 bags of trash, 4 of recyclables, legacy metals, 6 tires
Most of the group, all smiles, bags in hand, ready to set out. Photo by leader Frank Sprtel..
Recent events: Hike on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail: 3/16/19
The group prepares to skirt the field to the trailhead. Photo by Trey Sherard.
Water Quality Testing 10/14/18
Wow ! A dragonfly larva
