Columbia Association: Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities To Help Beautify Columbia

Columbia MD

27 January, 2022

3:41 PM

Description

Press release from Columbia Association: January 26, 2022 Spring is quickly approaching, and CA is gearing up for the new season with a number of volunteer opportunities to beautify Columbia.  You don't have to have any gardening experience to make a difference. CA's Open Space team welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to come have fun, learn something new, and meet their neighbors. Here are hands-on ways you can get involved this spring!  Nurture native plants  First, we have a number of Pull and Plant events taking place, where volunteers are taught to remove non-native plant species and replant the area with native plants. Native plants are vital for providing habitat for wildlife and preserving Columbia's biodiversity. And because they evolved in our region, native plants tend to thrive with relatively little care once they're well-established. Pull and Plant events These events take place throughout the year, so there's lots of chances for you to help restore Columbia's native plant habitat. Become a Weed Warrior  If you're interested in taking Pull and Plant to the next level, you can apply to become a Weed Warrior. This program trains and certifies individuals interested in leading volunteer groups to remove non-native invasive plants in open space. The training, which will be held this March, involves a four-hour class room session and a four-hour field session. Weed Warriors may also work independently if that is their preference. you can apply to become a Weed Warrior. Reach out to [email protected] to be placed on the interest list for this year's training session. Plant trees We also have a number of group tree planting events coming up during the spring and fall months. group tree planting events This is a fun way to get outdoors and help improve our environment — trees clean the air we breathe, reduce stormwater runoff, and provide wildlife habitat for generations to come. A number of tree planting events take place, so stay tuned for more details to come.    Clean up the community  If you're looking to make a difference in your own backyard, mark your calendar for Columbia Cleans Day on Saturday, March 26th. Each village will hold its own trash pick-up and nature clean-up event, all sponsored and supported by CA. Speak with your village manager to find out more about your village's start time and location. You can also check this webpage for the latest updates. Columbia Cleans Day   Get in the water Last but not least, we're looking forward to our Stream Waders events. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the relationship between land use and stream quality, as well as stream stewardship ethics. Participants will have the opportunity to sample local streams for macroinvertebrates, which provide an index for overall stream health. While on-site, we'll also remove litter, measure water chemistry and plant live stakes to reduce erosion.  Stream Waders events Stay tuned for more details on dates!    Thank you for your support If any of these events interest you, feel free to contact CA Open Space for more information: [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you! Your support of our environmental efforts means the world to us and truly has a long term impact.  Remember, we love to see what you and your friends are doing to make a positive impact. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and tag us in your photos and videos. You might just see them shared with our thousands of CA followers, inspiring even more efforts across our community. This press release was produced by Columbia Association. The views expressed here are the author's own.