Downtown Columbia Stream and Forest Restoration

A degraded, urban stream is restored and its smothering cover of invasive plants is replaced by a thriving native forest.

A 30-year master plan for the revitalization of Columbia, MD established a goal to restore a healthy forest structure dominated by native tree species, but the city’s two watersheds were both degraded by channelization and invasive species. Biohabitats developed and implemented the first two phases of restoration for both watersheds. This included 800 linear feet of stream restoration and the reforestation of over 20 acres of woodlands.

As a first step to recreating a thriving natural forest system, Biohabitats developed a strategy to eradicate or control invasive species, reforest cleared areas with native trees and shrubs, and enhance the understory of existing forest stands. Biohabitats also created a design to stabilize an eroding tributary to the Little Patuxent River so that it could withstand a 100-year flow and supply fish passage and habitat upstream of Symphony Woods Road.

Biohabitats performed an existing conditions site assessment to determine and document the ecological communities and invasive species present. A multi-phase approach for invasive species removal and replanting with native species was then developed, along with a three-year maintenance program to completely sever the foothold of invasive species. To establish a strong native plant community resistant to invasive vegetation, mechanical removal, stump treatment, and Glyphosate was used to control invasives. The planting plan included strategies to make the conditions less favorable for exotic pioneer species. These included augmenting the native species in the forest understory and creating a dense barrier of native evergreens at the forest edge to limit light penetration.