Search Results for: walk in the woods

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Walk in the Woods: Mussel Power with Anacostia Watershed Society

March 25, 2024

Mussels are mighty protectors of clean freshwater, filter-feeding all kinds of pollution from their habitat. Here’s a chance to meet these fascinating critters, and the folks putting them back in the river!

Join us for a walk from Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens to Kenilworth Lake, where the Anacostia Watershed Society will showcase their fantastic work on native mussel restoration in the Anacostia.

Expect to walk about 1 mile on easy terrain. Materials for mussel meet and greet will be provided, but please bring your own water bottle, snacks, and bug spray (if needed).

This event is FREE of cost, but please register in case of delays or rescheduling due to inclement weather or high river flow.

Each participant will be required to complete the following form. Copies will be available at the beginning of the hike or you can bring your own printed, signed copy: https://www.potomacriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Liability-Waiver-and-Medical-Form_2020.pdf

This hike is produced by the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) in collaboration with the Anacostia Watershed Society. It is part of ICPRB’s Walk in the Woods series of hikes.

If you need special accommodations to participate, please contact ICPRB via telephone at 301-984-1908 or through email at info@icprb.org. Requests should be made at least 10 business days in advance of the event. Please contact us so we may serve you better.

 

About Anacostia Watershed Society:

AWS is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect and restore the Anacostia River by bringing partners and communities together to achieve a clean and safe Anacostia River for the benefit of all living in its watershed and for future generations.

The vision is to make the Anacostia River and its tributaries swimmable and fishable, in keeping with the Clean Water Act, for the health and enjoyment of everyone in the community. Community involvement is critical to achieving this vision and AWS seeks win-win solutions through strong partnerships and coalitions, with all parts of the community, government, and other stakeholders. Core to our work is reaching out to, educating and engaging the next generation of decision-makers, our youth.

Since 2018, AWS has released over 36,000 mussels of 4 different native species: Eastern lampmussel, Eastern floater, Eastern pondmussel, and Alewife floater, the last two species being Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in both Maryland and DC. That number of mussels can filter the equivalent of 200 Olympic-sized swimming pools on an annual basis. Our goal is to propagate and introduce these mussels into the river so that more mussels filter more water therefore improving the water clarity and the aquatic ecosystems

Stream running through a forest in Strawberry Hill Preserve.

Walk in the Woods: Strawberry Hill Preserve

February 28, 2024

Join us for a guided fall hike to explore the stunning Strawberry Hill Preserve while learning about the vital role its streams play in providing clean drinking water to over 5 million people downstream. Strawberry Hill Preserve, in the northern reaches of the Potomac River watershed, is the gateway for clean water downstream. Join the dedicated staff of Strawberry Hill and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) as they partner to share their mission to protect and preserve vital water resources. Explore the streams found on the Strawberry Hill property and gain insights into their critical role in maintaining the health of the watershed.

This event is not just a hike; it’s an opportunity to connect with nature, understand the importance of preserving our water resources, and be part of a collective effort to safeguard our environment.

Expect to walk about 2-3 miles on moderate terrain. Please bring your own water bottle, snacks, and bug spray (if needed).

This event is free but please register in case of delays or rescheduling due to bad weather.

Each participant will be required to complete the following form (copies will be available at the beginning of the hike):

https://www.potomacriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Liability-Waiver-and-Medical-Form_2020.pdf

This event is produced in partnership with the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) and Strawberry Hill Preserve. It is part of ICPRB’s Walk in the Woods series of hikes.

Two people stand alongside a stream. One person is holding a water sample up.

Walk in the Woods: Let’s be Smart About Winter Salt

February 28, 2024

Step into the shoes of an environmental detective as we explore the hidden impacts of oversalting our streets and sidewalks during the winter season. Discover how the excess salt harms delicate aquatic creatures, disrupts the fragile balance of our ecosystems, and pollutes our drinking water.

Join the Izaak Walton League of America and the City of Gaithersburg on this fun and informative hike to learn about our addiction to deicing salt and how we can all live on a low winter salt diet. Together, we can make a significant difference and create a cleaner, healthier future.

Expect to walk about 3 miles on easy terrain. Please bring your own water bottle.

This event is FREE but please register on Eventbrite in case of delays or rescheduling due to bad weather. The rain date is October 26.

Izaak Walton League will be providing a Salt Watch kit to anyone interested in getting involved.

Each participant will be required to complete the following form. Copies will be available at the beginning of the hike or you can bring your own printed, signed copy: https://www.potomacriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Liability-Waiver-and-Medical-Form_2020.pdf

This hike is produced by the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) in collaboration with the City of Gaithersburg and the Izaak Walton League of America. It is part of ICPRB’s Walk in the Woods series of hikes.

Walk in the Woods: Frederick Municipal Forest

February 23, 2024

Join us for an spring guided hike focused on protecting and managing the Frederick Municipal Forest (w/ some plant ID in the mix).

What does it take to protect drinking water for the residents of Frederick City?

Join us for a hike in the Municipal Forest of the City of Frederick, Md. Our guide is Jenny Willoughby, the Sustainability Manager of Frederick City. Jenny will share her extensive knowledge of the Frederick Municipal Forest and what it takes to sustainably and responsibly manage the city’s source of drinking water. She will talk about the active forest management, the history, and the flora and fauna of the area.

Expect to walk about 3 miles on moderate terrain. Please bring your own water bottle, snacks, and bug spray (if needed).

This event is free but please register in case of delays or rescheduling due to bad weather.

This event is produced in partnership with the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, the City of Frederick, and Frederick City’s Sustainability Committee. It is part of the ICPRB’s Walk in the Woods series and Frederick City’s Sustainability Committee’s Green Events series.

We will be meeting at the Hamburg Blue Lot (directions below) at 9:00 am.

Each participant will be required to complete the following form (copies will be available at the beginning of the hike but we encourage you to bring a completed copy for each person in your party):

https://www.potomacriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Liability-Waiver-and-Medical-Form_2020.pdf

If using Google Maps, find the parking lot along the main road near 10420 Hamburg Road, Frederick, Md.

From points south and east:

  1. Follow Route 40 to Gambrill Park Road
  2. Right onto Gambrill Park Road
  3. At the t-intersection, turn right to stay on Gambrill Park Road (left takes you to the Gambrill State Park Tea Room)
  4. Follow Gambrill Park Road through the state park for several miles to Hamburg Road
  5. Turn right onto Hamburg Road
  6. Parking area will be ¼ to ½ mile on the right side—if parking area is full, park on side of road

From Route 15:

  1. Take the Rosemont Avenue exit and head north/west
  2. Rosemont Ave becomes Yellow Springs Road—continue on Yellow Springs
  3. Yellow Springs Road becomes Hamburg Road—continue on Hamburg
  4. Follow Hamburg up the mountain, pass Hamburg Pond on the left
  5. Parking area will be on the left less than ¼ mile from the pond—if parking area is full, park on side of road

From points north:

  1. Take Route 15 to Route 77 heading toward Cunningham Falls State Park
  2. Follow 77 to Catoctin Hollow Road
  3. Turn left onto Catoctin Hollow Road
  4. Turn right onto Mink Farm Road
  5. Mink Farm Road will turn right—stay STRAIGHT onto Tower Road
  6. Follow Tower Road to a Y-junction with Gambrill Park Road, continue straight onto Gambrill Park Road
  7. Follow Gambrill Park Road south to Hamburg Road
  8. Turn left onto Hamburg Road

Parking area will be ¼ to ½ mile on the right side—if parking area is full, park on side of road

Person stands in front of a large boulder in the forest.

Walk in the Woods: Potomac Marble in Dickerson, MD

February 23, 2024

Discover the stone that was used to rebuild Washington D.C. after the British invaded in 1814. Join local historians, Paul Kreingold and Jon Wolz, on a hike to learn about the lost history of the Potomac Marble on our first Walk in the Woods of the year!

Paul Kreingold will discuss the 200-year-old quarries discovered during the research for his book Potomac Marble: History of the Search for the Ideal Stone. Mr. Kreingold is the Conservation Director of the Loudoun County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League and a Virginia Master Naturalist, Banshee Reeks Chapter.

Jon Wohl, Poolesville historian, C&O Canal expert and journalist will point out various, interesting Civil War and other historical sites along the way.

We will be walking about 2.2 miles each way to the quarry on the C&O Canal towpath. Once we reach the site we will cross over the canal in a usually dry spot and then scramble up a steep incline into the quarry itself.

We will meet at the Dickerson Conservation Area Parking Lot in Dickerson, MD (20700 Martinsburg Rd, Dickerson, MD 20842) at 10:30am. If you are using your GPS, please note that White’s Ferry is currently closed so you will need to use the bridge over the Potomac River at Point of Rocks off Route 15.

A few important items to note:

– Wear sturdy hiking shoes, dress appropriately, and bring a snack and water (there is no potable water during the hike). Don’t forget your camera and walking stick!

– Registration is required as space is limited. Please cancel your registration if you cannot attend so that we can open the spot for someone else.

– There is a well-maintained porta-potty about two miles from the starting point of the walk.

– We should return to our starting place before 3:00 PM.

– Each participant will be required to complete the following form (copies will be available at the beginning of the hike): https://www.potomacriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Liability-Waiver-and-Medical-Form_2020.pdf

– You will be notified by email if the event is delayed due to weather. The rain date is April 13.

More about the history of Potomac Marble:

The destruction of Washington in 1814 by the invading British challenged President Monroe & Benjamin Latrobe with the task of rebuilding the edifices which had been destroyed. As did Washington and Jefferson earlier, they understood that the principal buildings of the government were not mere offices but symbols of the aspirations of the Republic. They had to be more than functional, they had to be beautiful. As classicists, their notions of beauty were derived from the ancient Greek and Roman Republics. Like the Greeks and Romans, the preferred building material was marble. The question was, where was such building material to be found?

The building material which was discovered and used was Potomac Marble, which exists in abundance on both sides of the Potomac River, extending from Leesburg to Montgomery County. It is not actually marble, but a limestone conglomerate. Architect of the Capitol Benjamin Latrobe and President Monroe rode all up and down Loudoun and Montgomery Counties opening up quarries, and despite many problems and political opposition, Latrobe was able to build the beautiful columns in the Capitol from this marble.

In the process of his research, Kreingold has re-discovered some of the two-hundred-year-old quarries and has polished samples from these local quarries for display.

He will also discuss:

1. The step-by-step invasion of the British from the Patuxent River to D.C.

2. The methods the British used to actually burn the stone buildings; after all, how do you burn stone?

3. How stone was quarried in the early 19th century, along with sample quarry tools.

4. The utilization of George Washington’s Potomac Canal to ship the stone to D.C. for carving.

This hike is produced by the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB). It is part of ICPRB’s Walk in the Woods series of hikes.

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**RESCHEDULED** Walk in the Woods: Frederick Municipal Forest

October 12, 2023

We want rain, we were just hoping it wouldn’t come this Saturday morning for our Walk in the Woods in Frederick, MD. Unfortunately, the October 14 hike has been rescheduled due to the rainy forecast. Please stay tuned for a new date.

In the meantime, you can still sign up for future Walk in the Woods on our Eventbrite page.

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Announcing ICPRB’s Fall Walk in the Woods

August 4, 2023

We are excited to announce three upcoming events where the public can join experts in their field on a walk and talk. We’ll cover issues related to watershed management, environmental challenges, winter salt use, park management, and more. The Saturday morning hikes are FREE, but please register at the links below so that we contact you in case of weather delays or other issues. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a conservationist, or simply curious about the natural world around you, this event is perfect for you!

People hiking along a bridge over a stream in the Frederick Municipal Forest.

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Join us for a Walk in the Woods: Frederick Municipal Forest

March 10, 2023

What does it take to protect drinking water for the residents of Frederick City?

Join us on April 29 for a hike in the Municipal Forest of the City of Frederick, Md. Our guide is Jenny Willoughby, the Sustainability Manager of Frederick City. Jenny will share her extensive knowledge of the Frederick Municipal Forest and what it takes to sustainably and responsibly manage the city’s source of drinking water. She will talk about the active forest management, the history, and the flora and fauna of the area.

The event is free but registration is requested.

Please visit the Eventbrite site to register. 

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Register for the Nov. 19 Walk in the Woods: Antietam Along the Potomac

November 3, 2022

Join the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) and the Potomac Valley Audubon Society (PVAS) for an easy, guided hike along the C&O Canal to learn the local flora, fauna and natural and human history of the Potomac River Basin.

The hike will be on November 19, 1:00pm.

Our hike leader, Jim Cummins, retired Aquatic Biologist of ICPRB and current President of PVAS, will walk us through the fascinating human and biological history of the area.

The hike is FREE but registration on Eventbrite is required.

Man stands next to a path in a wooded area with other hikers standing near him.

Contact us for more information