Healthy Forests Workday + National Public Lands Day with Arundel Rivers Federation

Celebrate National Public Lands Day by giving back to YOUR local forest!

Join Scenic Rivers Land Trust and our friends at Arundel Rivers Federation for a special Healthy Forests workday at Bacon Ridge Natural Area in Crownsville. Together, we’ll spend the morning caring for this publicly accessible forest by removing harmful invasive plants from along the trails.

Scenic Rivers’ Healthy Forests Program brings community volunteers together to protect the long-term health of the forests within Bacon Ridge Natural Area, home to Scenic Rivers’ largest conservation easement. On National Public Lands Day, we’re celebrating the important role public lands play in our community and the people who give their time to care for them.

And this workday will offer a little something extra! Mairin from Arundel Rivers Federation will guide us through mindfulness moments throughout the morning, giving us opportunities to slow down, experience the forest we’re working to restore, and reflect on nature’s calendar as summer gives way to fall.

Our September 2026 workday will focus on invasive vines, shrubs, and grasses. These aggressive plants threaten native vegetation at every level of the forest, from the forest floor all the way into the canopy.

Event Details

Volunteers will be working on designated trail sections to remove specific invasive plant species.

Volunteers will be trained in how to identify and remove these plants.

Work gloves and tools can be provided by Scenic Rivers, though volunteers are welcome to bring their own gear.

To participate, volunteers must:

Be 16 years or older to attend without a supervising adult. Volunteers age 10 to 15 may attend with an accompanying adult(s) to supervise work;

Be able to hike up to 1 mile to get to designated work areas.

Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and closed toed shoes. Poison ivy is present in these work areas.

Bring a full water bottle.

We must have at least 5 registered volunteers for the workday to proceed. So, be sure to invite some friends!

Controlling invasive species infestations is a big job and we’ll be happy to have as much help as possible!

Registration will open September 1st.