Location: Chevy Chase, MD
Partners Involved: SMC, Empire Landscaping, Capital Flexipave and many more subcontractors
Type of Buffer: Urban
Submitted by: Bradley Simpson
Woodend Nature Sanctuary consists of forests, meadow, and an ephemeral stream nestled within the urban environment of the capital beltway. Large stormwater events, invasive species and overabundant deer have severely impacted this already stressed urban ecosystem. To alleviate these effects, as well as to increase access to the natural habitats on the property, a large stream and trail restoration was conducted.
An eroded stream sending large amounts of sediment and nutrients to Rock Creek has become a meandering system of step pools that help to slow down and capture stormwater at Woodend. In total, 1400 linear feet of stream was restored with 44 step pools and buffer planted. Many invasive plants were removed to make room for over 350 new native trees, 800 new native shrubs, and nearly 10,000 new native herbaceous plants. As part of this project, the Audubon Naturalist Society has granted Montgomery County a perpetual forest conservation easement on 24 forested acres at Woodend. A permeable, wheel-chair accessible trail was also added to reduce sediment loads into the stream and allow for diverse audiences to experience the wonders of Woodend like never before.
After a year of hard work, we gladly say that this project was a huge success! Thank you to SMC and Empire Landscaping for their dedicated work throughout this project.
You can visit this site for yourself during our Maryland Turning a New Leaf Field day- for more information, and to register click here
This post Is part of the first annual CCLC Riparian Buffer Month.
For more information check out our page
If you would like to support professional training of landscape professionals in the design, instillation, and maintenance of riparian buffers, please donate today to the CBLP-Buffers scholarship fund. We believe that landscape professionals have a unique ability to directly affect the health of our landscapes- and your donation will directly assist a professional in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to pursue training.
