Bowie Invasive Species Management Study

An Invasive Species Management Study helps the City progress toward environmental infrastructure goals by providing accessible, safe, clean, visually appealing, and environmentally sound parks.

Maryland’s 5th largest city, Bowie covers about 18 square miles of land. Many important natural resources are contained within and adjacent to the City’s boundaries. Bowie includes many large park areas, and the Patuxent River, National Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, and Belt Woods National Natural Landmark are all within a half mile of its boundaries. All of these sensitive natural features are threatened by invasive plant species. Recognizing the economic, social, and ecological benefits of a healthy network of forests, parks, and open space, the City of Bowie crafted an Environmental Infrastructure Action Strategy Plan to protect and enhance existing natural resources and amenities.

To help the City meet the goals of the Environmental Infrastructure Action Strategy Plan, Biohabitats conducted an Invasive Species Management Study for 328 acres of city-owned parcels throughout the City. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which invasive species are located on the parcels and to recommend strategies for managing invasive species to achieve successful afforestation and improved forest condition. The study provided the City with an assessment of and prioritization for control of invasive plant concentrations, a summary of available intervention methodologies for allocating limited invasive suppression resources, and an understanding of the budget required to conduct an effective invasive species management plan. Tasks included an assessment of invasive species, evaluation of site conditions, site prioritization, operational review of City policies and practices, short- and long-term maintenance recommendations, and planning-level implementation cost estimates.

TAGS

• Analysis+Planning
• Assessment+Monitoring
• Conservation
• Ecological Restoration