All NeighborSpace sites have trees. We keep an eye on them and plant additional trees whenever possible. But some of our sites are truly wooded. Urban forests are often threatened by deer browsing, invasive species, and effects of climate change, such as fungal diseases, and NeighborSpace forests are no exception. Assessing the health of these forests, as well as making recommendations to steward them sustainably, requires an expert eye.

DNR Forester Rob Prenger was so kind as to visit and assess three of our larger wooded sites with us: Tollgate Wyndham Preserve (Owings Mills), Levickas Woods (Catonsville), and Volz Neighborhood Park (Middle River). We are pleased to report that each of these forests is healthy: an understory is present underneath a mix of mature canopy trees and invasive species are not overwhelming. NeighborSpace wants to keep it this way and improve upon what is already there by managing the invasive species and planting additional trees and shrubs where suitable.

The next step is to work with Rob to draw up a Forest Stewardship Plan for each of the three sites, which will allow for a more targeted approach when implementing projects. In the meantime, NeighborSpace staff will continue to monitor our sites and organize volunteer events to help with stewardship.      

What can you do?

• Join us at a stewardship event to remove invasives or plant trees: https://www.neighborspacebaltimorecounty.org/events/
• Participate in one of our new educational events to learn more about forests or invasive management.
• Learn to identify and remove invasive species in your own backyard. A good place to start is the University of Maryland Extension website: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/removing-invasive-plants-and-planting-natives-maryland