For just over two years, volunteers with the Town Run Watershed have been working to remove invasive plants from the stream – in sections at Morgan Grove Park, near Jefferson Security Bank/New Street, and Back Alley in Shepherdstown. Invasive plants such as Yellow Iris and Parrot Feather affect the flow of Town Run and the freshwater organisms that live there.
One of the first priorities was pulling Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus), introduced from Europe through the nursery trade. This aquatic plant is deceptively beautiful and chokes waterways, displaces native wetland species such as green arrow arum and seedling development of willows. According to Shepherdstown resident Suzie Patrick, “Town Run literally runs through my small lot and removing Yellow Iris from the stream immediately improved the water flow.” Increased water flow improves oxygenation of the water which is beneficial for stream critters. Adjoining property owners are encouraged to keep an eye out for new growth of Yellow Iris and either dig it out themselves or contact Town Run Watershed.
Further upstream in Morgan’s Grove Park, Parrot Feather is another invasive plant which chokes the flow of Town Run and shades out native plants and beneficial organisms. Originally from the Amazon River, Parrot Feather is used in the aquariums and water gardens and has spread to freshwater streams where it can grow up to 5 feet. Sandy Brown, team leader for clean up and removal of invasives for Town Run Watershed, has led crews every month to pull and control Parrot Feather. “It’s gratifying to see the progress we have made removing Parrot Feather and other invasives. We are super conscious about checking the debris for the beautiful little red-backed salamander, and releasing them back into the stream.”
Town Run Watershed volunteers meet the 2nd Saturday of each month, April through October and work from 9 – noon. Brown says that volunteers are needed to work in the water and on the stream banks and there is something for everyone. Some volunteers rake and pull weeds, others run chain saws, and even the youngest can help with parental assistance. The workday always ends with an appreciation lunch of pizza.
