Botanical Restoration along the North Fork of the Blackwater River
The first aspect of this project is to remove invasive species from along the 3.8 mile section of the Blackwater Rail Trail from Thomas, WV to Douglas Falls. The main problem species include: autumn olive, stilt weed, multiflora rose, garlic mustard, Tartarian honeysuckle, and Japanese barberry. These plants choke out and overgrow important native species like milkweed, an essential host for monarch butterflies.
Removing invasive species.
The second aspect of this project is planting native species where invasives were removed. We plant a variety of native species such as common ninebark, sycamore, yellow birch, red maple, cinnamon fern, white oak, and more!
Planting Native
Species
We recently received a shipment of native plants. Luckily, the National Youth Science Center in Davis, WV gives us permission to store our plants at their greenhouse. This is especially helpful during the cold months when planting is not optimal.
Read our five-year plan.
Click on the document to view.
Our Botanist, Samantha Miller, just completed a coloring book about our work on the Blackwater Rail Trail! Illustrations were done by Artist, Carol Jackson.