Next Meeting: Monday, August 6, 2018; 7:30 p.m. in the Council Room. All are welcome to attend. Meetings are on the 1st Monday of each month. The Woods Committee meeting for September is subject to change because of the Labor Day holiday.
The Woods Committee continues our three-pronged approach to restoring forest health: control of non-native invasive plants, deer management, and reforestation. Invasive Plant Control has finished their work in the East Woods for this season. We have seen significant control of wisteria, English ivy, bush honeysuckle, and Japanese barberry as well as seasonal mile-a-minute and stilt grass, while consequently seeing re-emergence of many spring ephemerals including jack-in-the-pulpit. The Woods Committee is seeking advice from Montgomery County and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as we investigate deer management options in our woods. This Fall we will participate in the Maryland Woodlands Stewards Program sponsored by the University of Maryland Forestry Extension to investigate best practices as we move forward. In addition, we are reviewing and revising the Washington Grove 2009 Master Plan as it pertains to the East and West Woods.