I take great pride in D.C.’s green spaces. Our parks and forests are unrivaled compared to other urban areas, and have been for years. So it broke my heart to learn that the District’s forests are at risk of disappearing.
While our deciduous trees look happy and well, the problem is closer to the ground. New baby trees are failing to take root, so when our local giants inevitably die and fall, there will be no new saplings to soak up the sun and take their place. A recent report said nine out of the 11 D.C. parks studied are in imminent or probable failure.
So why is this happening? Researchers blame an overpopulation of deer, who eat local seedlings, and fast-growing invasive plants that thrive while deer focus on native flora. But the good news is that those are solvable problems, and with intentional and persistent efforts, this trend is reversible.
Groups like the Rock Creek Conservancy, Casey Trees, Ward 8 Woods Conservancy, and Friends of Anacostia Park are doing just that — hacking away at invasive vines to allow local tree species to flourish and developing long-term resilience plans for local forests. All three groups take volunteers, so if you’re looking for opportunities to give back in the new year, here’s your shot.
