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Environmental Education
Hyattsville's Canopy Conservation Project
The City of Hyattsville was awarded a 2023 Stormwater Stewardship Grant from Prince George's County and the Chesapeake Bay Trust to conserve our tree canopy by removing invasive vines. One of trees' many benefits is the critical role they play in filtering stormwater and preventing erosion with their complex root systems. Unfortunately our City is losing many trees due to an overgrowth of invasive vines that stunt young trees and strangle mature ones.
Through the grant the City is partnering with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) to empower residents to be tree stewards. The Anacostia Watershed Society will also provide workshops in Spanish. CCAN has a proven track record in this work, saving 4,000 trees without the use of herbicides in Takoma Park, MD!
We need your help! Scroll for volunteer opportunities below!
Additional creative vine removal tactics, like grazing goats!, will help City staff preserve our tree canopy without the use of potentially harmful herbicides.
Spanish-language Tree Care Courses
Join our community partner, Defensores de la Cuenca, for Spanish-language Tree Care and Community Science Trainings!
Participants will help care for community trees and learn about our local environment. Become a community scientist by documenting plant and animal species in the park while you work!
Upcoming dates:
- Saturday, November 18, 1:30 PM - 3:30 p.m.; Heurich Park, 2900 Nicholson Street. Follow the roadway past the dog park; meet in the back parking lot by the Comic Hero Playground. Register here.
Save our trees! Volunteers needed!
CCAN assessed City trees and identified approximately 3,747 trees currently being strangled by invasive vines on public and private property. The City is looking for volunteers to assist with invasive vine removal to save these trees!
Upcoming trainings:
- December 16, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 6201 Belcrest Road. Register here.
- January 13, 2024, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Location TBD. Register here.
During the training participants will learn the skills and tools needed to remove vines without harming the tree. These skills can be applied at home or to support neighbors needing tree care. CCAN will organize groups of trained volunteers to assist with the trees at most risk over the next several months.
Snacks and water will be provided at the trainings, though we do recommend people bring their own water bottles. Participants will be working outdoors and in brush and should be dressed appropriately (pants, long-sleeved shirts, and hats). Tools (pruning clippers, hand saw) and gloves will be provided, but please bring your own if you have them!
Because we will be using sharp tools, we ask that participants be ages 13 and up to participate safely.
For questions about the Canopy Conservation project, please get in touch with environment@hyattsville.org or call (301) 985-5032.
Grazing Goats
To assist with invasive vines in the Driskell Park woods, the City has used herds of goats and sheep from Browsing Green Goats to remove harmful plants without using chemicals.
Why goats? Ruminant animals, like goats and sheep, can eat tough, woody plants and digest them, turning them into a helpful fertilizer (also known as goat poop!) The digestion process kills off plant seeds, helping to ensure invasive plants won't return the following season.