Weed Warrior work morning at Sligo near Dennis Ave
Wednesday, July 9 from 8:00am – 10:00am-ish
Enter the park at Roswell & Tenbrook Drive
We’ll be meeting at the “Roswell Dr.” Tributary Restoration Site. This site was restored several years ago and the caged shrubs and trees need to be freed from vines. The site has a lot of nice native plants.
Parking available at Roswell Dr. and Tenbrook Dr. (near Dennis Ave.) Go down dirt trail to Sligo Creek Parkway.
FOSC Listservs on
Friends of Sligo Creek – Main Listserv
FOSC Advocacy Listserv
FOSC-Stewards Listserv (for Section Stewards only)
FOSC-WeedWarriors Listserv (for Weed Warriors only)
News & Updates
FOSC received a note about the Native Plant Protection Act from Councilmember Evan Glass’ office. The act would 1) prohibit the commercial sale of invasive bamboo and 2) require that 50% of landscaping at new construction projects consist of native Mid-Atlantic plant species.
“Thank you to everyone who has shared feedback on Councilmember Evan Glass’ Native Plant Protection Act. Our office is keeping track of your suggestions and thoughts. Know that your engagement is helping shape this important effort to protect Montgomery County’s ecosystems and promote sustainable landscaping.”
The Council will hold a public hearing on the bamboo ban and native plants zoning amendment on Tuesday, July 22 at 1:30 p.m.
FOSC urges you to express your support for this bill. You can email the Council, submit video testimony, or sign up to testify in person or virtually or call 240-777-7803.
Native Plant Protection Zoning Amendment – Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 25-10
Invasive Bamboo Ban – Bill 26-25, Vegetation – Invasive Plants
Office of Councilmember Evan Glass
Montgomery County Council
Office: (240) 777-7966
montgomerycountymd.gov/glass/
FOSC in the News: Bring Your Own Bag Bill
Update: the County Council passed the Bring Your Own Bag Bill (Bill 24-24) on Feb 11th. The bill will go into effect Jan 1, 2026. FOSC had testified in favor of the bill and encouraged President Stewart to sign it.
FOSC’s efforts to support the plastic bag ban at the County Council hearing last Tuesday were noted in Bethesda Magazine’s Jan. 14th article, Supporters turn out for proposed plastic bag ban, citing environmental impact. Several members of the FOSC Advocacy committee testified in favor of the ban. Similar bans in Prince George’s and other nearby counties have been successfully implemented with little drama.
Join FOSC
Sligo Creek connects us. Please join FOSC and help protect and restore the Creek for everyone in our community. It’s simple to do and can be free if you wish. Membership gives you early notice of events and the FOSC newsletter.
You can make a donation too, either online (simple and secure) or by check to FOSC, P.O. Box 11572, Takoma Park, MD 20913. Thank you!
FOSC Action Hub
Summer 2025 Top Invasives
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- Bush honeysuckle
- Multiflora rose
- English ivy
- Porcelainberry
- Bush honeysuckle
- Multiflora rose
- English ivy
- Porcelainberry
Invasives alarm: Italian Arum and Incised Fumewort
Italian arum
Italian Arum is back in force around Sligo Creek and Long Branch. It has spread from nearby yards. One of the EDRR (Early Detection, Rapid Response) invasive species, it has many little “daughter” corms attached to its main corm which makes it difficult to remove completely. Dig it out carefully. Screen the loosened soil for small “daughter” corms. There is some evidence that spraying with glyphosate is effective at killing all its corms.
Incised fumewort (Corydalis incisa) is a fast spreading invasive plant from East Asia. First discovered in NY in 2005, it has rapidly spread northward as well as southward into PA, MD, DC, VA, NC, IL, and TN. Dig it out in April when the telltale purple flowers appear, before it flings its seeds up to 10 feet from the flower stem. It has a tuber which is difficult to dig out completely, but it’s worth doing because it forms a dense mat that can easily double in size each year. Dr. Christina Andruk, Associate Professor of Biology at Iona University, who has been studying and battling it in Westchester County, NY, says “It’s not only a threat to your yard, it [leads to] reduced native plant diversity, reduced nutrient cycling, reduced diversity of animals…it’s going to affect the whole ecosystem.”
Don’t be fooled by its appearance – Corydalis incisa is a tough invader. See this UMD Extension article for more information on this USDA designated High Risk plant.
FOSC on iNaturalist
Heard about FOSC on iNaturalist.org but uncertain how to navigate the site or contribute your own observations? Expert birder and iNaturalist… Read more