Rock Creek

https://www.nps.gov/rocr/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Creek_Park Rock Creek Park is a large urban park that bisects the Northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C. The park was created by an Act of Congress in 1890 and today is administered by the National Park Service. The main section of the park is along the Rock Creek Valley. The parklands follow the course of Rock Creek across the D.C-Maryland border to connect with Rock Creek Stream Valley Park and Rock Creek Regional Park in Montgomery County. Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation's capital. This 1,754 acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the third national park to be designated by the federal government. It offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge, recreation, fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals, and thousands of years of human history. Ample parking for hiking, biking and visiting the Nature Center is located at 5200 Glover Rd, NW. Rock Creek Park is a large urban park stretching from the Maryland - DC border to the Potomac River. Rock Creek Park also administers 99 separate neighborhood small sites. A large network of public roads provide access to all points administered by Rock Creek Park. Nature Center The Nature Center is home to our Planetarium and nature exhibit area which features displays of plants and animals that can be found in the park. Most of Rock Creek park's public and educational programs begin at the Nature Center. From the beltway: • Take exit 31B and head south on Georgia Avenue. • Take Georgia Avenue to 16th Street and veer right (you are continuing south). • Turn right (west) at Miliatary Road. • At Glover Road turn left (south) and veer to the left when the road forks. • Turn into the first driveway on your left. The second parking lot is for the Nature Center. Old Stone House Built circa 1766, Old Stone House is the oldest structure on its original foundation in Washington, DC. Old Stone House is open for visitors at the hours listed below. The grounds are open according to general park hours (sunrise to sunset). The Old Stone House is on M Street NW between 30th and 31st Streets NW and at the intersection with Thomas Jefferson Street NW. Peirce Mill Peirce Mill, built in the 1820s, is the last operational grist mill on Rock Creek Park. The grounds are open according to general park hours. The mill is open for visitors at the hours listed below. • Take the Beltway north into Maryland; exit at Connecticut Ave. and proceed southbound toward Chevy Chase. • Continue down Connecticut past the University of the District of Columbia. One block past the university turn left onto Tilden Street. •Follow Tilden to the bottom of the hill and turn left into the parking lot at Peirce Mill. Rock Creek Park Campgrounds There are no campgrounds in Rock Creek Park. Overnight camping is not allowed Rock Creek Park's Boulder Bridge Stone bridge and fall leaves Boulder Bridge in Rock Creek Park Rocks in the Creek Water swirls around large boulders in a creek. Trees in autumn colors line the bank Rock Creek in Autumn Nature Center a one story building nestled among green leafy trees Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium Rocks in Rock Creek Dark boulders scattered through a narrow creek. Green trees rise up on either bank. Rock Creek Peirce Mill A stone mill house Peirce Mill 2011 NPS Environmental Achievement Awards Recipients of the 2011 NPS Environmental Achievement Awards Pawpaw: Small Tree, Big Impact Pawpaw are small trees that don't grow past 100 feet. Yet they have a big influence-- they're the most commonly observed sapling in our National Capital Region forests. Pawpaw trees are virtually immune to deer browse and also produce the largest edible fruit native to North America! A hand holds a lumpy green pawpaw fruit Lichens and Air Quality Lichens are durable enough to grow on tree bark and bare rock, yet are sensitive to pollution and air quality. One species in particular was used to track levels of air-borne lead over a 100 year period! Pale green lichen growing on rock. NPS Structural Fire Program Highlights 2014 Intern Accomplishments Archeology and History in Rock Creek Park Archeological resources in Rock Creek Park preserve significant points in the regional history of Washington DC. They include Native American camp sites dating to 2,500 BC and AD 1,400, colonial tenancies, 19th-century dwellings, and Civil War military artifacts. Learn about the significance of archeology for understanding stories of people who lived and worked in the area. Officers and men of Company F, 3rd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, in Rock Creek Park's Fort Stevens. Soldiers, Veterans, and Horses Connect National parks are places people seek out for physical recreation but also mental relaxation. One group that needs to get away from the city hustle are military and veterans, specifically those recovering from traumatic brain injuries and PTSD. Rock Creek Park provides a perfect getaway. five men on horseback ride a wooded trail Unsung Heroes of the Night Eerie chirps erupted from an acoustic detector placed near the creek bank at Rock Creek Park on a full moon night in spring. Bat songs! Visual frequencies of their echolocation calls, called spectrograms, danced across the monitors. The BioBlitz2016 bat inventory at Rock Creek Park had begun, and the bats were flying near. Biologist wears latex gloves while holding a big brown bat, BioBlitz 2016, Rock Creek Park. African Americans and the Civil War Forts of DC The 28th Regiment of U.S. Colored Troops was one of the troops attached to the Defenses of Washington. This regiment of infantry was established on November 30, 1863 by Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton. Reverend Willis Revels of the African American Episcopal Church was the chief recruiting officer. The recruits trained for three months and on April 25 1863, six companies of the 28th left Indianapolis for Washington, D.C. where they were attached to the capital’s defenses. african american civil war soldiers stand in front of white building Native Peoples of Washington, DC The village of Nacotchtank (from which the name Anacostia is derived) was the largest of the three American Indian villages located in the Washington area and is believed to have been a major trading center. three native americans seated, black and white photo Death and Dying The somber aftermath of Civil War battles introduced Americans--North and South--to death on an unprecedented scale and of an unnatural kind, often ending in an unmarked grave far from home. Neither individuals, nor institutions, nor governments were prepared to deal with death on such a massive scale, for never before or since have we killed so many of our own. The Civil War revolutionized the American military's approach to caring for the dead, leading to our modern cult Photo of freshly buried marked and unmarked graves near Petersburg, Va. Forest Regeneration 2018 In 2018, tree seedlings and small saplings are in short supply in the parks of the National Capital Region. Without these trees of tomorrow, what will our forests look like? A forest plot in Rock Creek Park showing some vegetation recovery. Elizabeth Proctor Thomas Elizabeth Proctor Thomas grew up in the early 1880s in a small community of free African-Americans in northwest Washington, D.C. During the Civil War, Union troops took possession of her land for construction of a fort. After the war, Elizabeth continued to reside near Fort Stevens. She sold some of her property to an influential Washingtonian who planned to preserve the remaining earthworks and establish a park. A woman with a long, dark dress stands beside a door in a wooden structure NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Rock Creek Park, District of Columbia Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. Links to products from Baseline Geologic and Soil Resources Inventories provide access to maps and reports. [Site Under Development] hikers on park trail American Eels in the Potomac Watershed American eels are found everywhere along the Atlantic Coast, but many aspects of these fish remain poorly understood. They are perhaps one of the most mysterious fish in the Potomac watershed. Hands hold a 2 to 3 foot long eel over a red container. National Capital Region Energy Savings Performance Contract The National Park Service is investing $29 million in 81 individual energy efficiency and water conservation projects at national parks throughout the greater Washington region. Cherry Blossoms at the National Mall Forest Regeneration 2017 Tree seedlings and small saplings are in short supply in the parks of the National Capital Region. Without these trees of tomorrow, what will our forests look like? A forest plot showing tree seedling and low-growing plant recovery. Go green for the National Park Service’s birthday! We're adding energy- and water-saving improvements to save money! How can you do the same in your home? National Mall and Memorial Parks Yearly Savings 50.9 M gallons of water, $1 M, 2.7M kwh. 2002 NPS Environmental Achievement Awards Recipients of the 2002 NPS Environmental Achievement Awards Summer in the Parks (1968-1976) What began as a summer transportation program to send DC urban youth to Catoctin and Prince William Forest Parks in 1966 grew to a city-wide summer-long festival attracting residents to parks in every quadrant of the city. After the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., the program took on an additional role to help save a city from destroying itself. A group of boys smiles for the camera Joan of Arc Has a New Sword! In March 2018, thanks to support from A+E Networks, the Joan of Arc statue in Meridian Hill Park in Washington, DC, was re-outfitted for battle and revealed to the public as part of the National Park Service’s commemoration of Women’s History Month. bronze statue of a young woman on a statue with her sword Stream Restoration Dreams: Stage Zero Learn “stage zero” stream restoration basics and how they could be applied in Mid-Atlantic streams. Water spreads across the ground around standing and fallen trees African-American History in Washington Excavations of the Whitby house cellar, and documentary research done as part of the same project, have opened a window into Washington's African-American past. Black and White photograph of James Wormley's five-story hotel Native Americans in Rock Creek Park: Introduction Native Americans have roamed the hills around Rock Creek and the falls of the Potomac for at least the past 10,000 years. However, for much of that time they do not seem to have stayed long. Finds of spearpoints, arrowheads, grinding stones, potsherd left by Native Americans The Palisades When professional archeologists first worked around Washington, in the 1870s and 1880s, the city was rich with ancient Native American remains. Large sites lined both banks of the Anacostia River, and they stretched for miles along the Potomac from Rock Creek to above Little Falls. Archeologists accidently find the Location of the Little Falls Sites. The Quarries The stones found near Rock Creek and its streams don't look like much, but they are the remnants of a prehistoric industry where ancient Indians once made hundreds of thousands of stone tools. Three Rough Stone “Bifaces” Quarried from the Banks of Rock Creek around 2200 BC Links to the Past In the summer of 2016 the National Park Service began a study on the history and design of the National Park Service golf courses at East Potomac Park, Rock Creek Park, and Langston. The study will provides historical information and will be used as a planning tool for the ongoing management and public use of these golf courses. A man instructs boys in golf Coastal Plain Oak Forest in Rock Creek Park You’ll come across this natural community in the parts of Rock Creek Park that are in the Coastal Plain, usually in areas that were cleared during the Civil War era. Willow oak, southern red oak, and white oak form the canopy of the Coastal Plain Oak Forest, and vines (native and non-native) are common in the understory. Two eastern gray squirrels on a tree branch The Fortifications of Washington On July 11 and 12, 1864, the nation's capital came under attack. Guns boomed in the northern suburbs as Confederate troops under Jubal Early probed Union defenses. Photograph of Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal Early The Charles and Jane Dickson Site The Charles and Jane Dickson properties caught the eye of historians because they represent the type of provision some slave owners made for freed slaves, and it was thought that they might represent old slave quarter sites. Antique mule cart toy with an iron figurine of an African American driver The Sarah Whitby Site Among the many African-American families that moved to Washington were the Whitbys. In 1895 the Whitbys rented a house on a small parcel of land that had belonged to Isaac Shoemaker. Artist's Reconstruction of the Sarah Whitby House. Cultural Landscapes and Community Well-Being: An Interview with ParkRx's Anne O'Neill The idea that spending time in green spaces can improve our health is not new. What if doctors prescribed activities in parks as a path to wellness? The Park Cultural Landscapes Program recently talked with Anne O'Neill, an Outdoor Recreation Planner for the NPS, about her work with the National ParkRx Initiative in Washington, DC. A group of individuals of varying ages do Zumba on a paved area of Meridian Hill Park. Ash Tree Update 2017 The state of ash trees in 2017 in the National Capital Region after more than 10 years of harm from the invasive emerald ash borer. A white ash leaf Forest Regeneration 2019 In 2019 tree seedlings and small saplings are in short supply in National Capital Area parks. Without these trees of tomorrow, what will our forests look like? A brown bird with a white breast and dark spots on its chest stands on the leaf-littered ground. Prehistoric Landscapes of the Nation's Capital In 1996 and 1997, Parsons Engineering Science conducted archeological excavations of the Whitehurst Freeway Corridor for the DC Department of Public Works. Excavations at the eastern end of the roadway, near the location where Rock Creek drains into the Potomac River, yielded both prehistoric and historical archeological resources. Teeth and More Oak Decline Learn more about oak decline where a host of stressors interact to weaken trees over time, leading to what becomes "death by a thousand cuts." Looking up into the canopy of a mature oak showing symptoms of oak decline. Spring Amphibian Timeline Learn how the progression of amphibian appearances unfurls every spring. A gray tree frog clings to a small tree branch. Battleground National Cemetery Cultural Landscape Battleground National Cemetery is located at 6625 Georgia Avenue in Washington, DC. On July 11th and 12th, 1864, fighting broke out between Union and Confederate troops at Fort Stevens, the only battle to take place within Washington during the war. Battleground National Cemetery was established shortly after the battle for the burial of Union soldiers. Rostrum at Battleground National Cemetery (NPS) Amphibian Diversity & Habitat Connectivity Habitat fragmentation is a major threat to amphibian communities, especially in National Capital Region parks at risk due to the region's growing urbanization. A small frog crouches on a lichen-covered rock. Early's Raid The defenses of Washington had been built during the early part of the war, when a Union defeat seemed a real possibility, but they saw no fighting until July 1864, when victory seemed close at hand A Civil War Map Showing Fort DeRussy and the Other Defenses around Rock Creek. Remains of the Battle In 2002 to 2006, the National Park Service undertook an archeological survey of Rock Creek Park. Until that time, most historians thought that little remained from the battle except part of Fort Stevens Painting of President Lincoln at Fort Stevens. Soldiers are loading cannons, The Whitehurst Freeway Sites At the mouth of Rock Creek, the Whitehurst Freeway ends in a tangle of ramps and embankments. This does not seem like a likely place to find a Native American camp site- but it is. Antler Comb, Sharks’ Teeth, and a Stone Phallus found at the Whitehurst Freeway Site Memorials for the Future Memorials for the Future, is a competition that aims to rethink the way we develop and experience memorials in Washington, D.C. Memorials for the Future Logo President Lincoln Under Fire at Fort Stevens On July 12, 1864, President Lincoln stood atop the parapet of the fort to witness the battle and came under direct fire of Confederate sharpshooters. It is the only time in American history in which a sitting president came under direct fire from an enemy combatant. A demonstration of the battle at Fort Stevens Explore DC’s national parks with a new, free app Navigate to popular destinations, get up-to-date information and discover lesser-known parks. With nearly 800 points of interest, the app includes the National Mall, President's Park, Rock Creek Park, Anacostia Park, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Wolf Trap, Arlington House, Theodore Roosevelt Island, Frederick Douglass NHS, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS, Carter G. Woodson NHS, and hundreds more. National Park Service logo with Washington Monument and other memorials. Rock Creek Park Vines Native vines are an important part of the Rock Creek Park forests, but they sometimes get tangled up in the fight against non-native invasive plants. Here’s why we should even “embrace” poison ivy, while being wary of the sweet-smelling Japanese honeysuckle vine. A cluster of red-orange tube-shaped flowers. American Chestnuts in the Capital Region In 1904, a deadly fungus began killing American chestnut trees, once one of the most dominant trees of the eastern U.S. Despite overwhelming odds, some American chestnut trees survive today in parks of the National Capital Region Green American chestnut tree leaves on a slender branch. American Chestnuts in Rock Creek In 1904, a deadly fungus began killing American chestnut trees, once one of the most dominant trees of the eastern U.S. Despite overwhelming odds, some American chestnut trees survive today in Rock Creek Park. Sun shines down through green American chestnut leaves Freshwater Sponges Freshwater sponges are found in lakes and streams growing on firm substrates like rocks and branches. They feed by filtering small particles from the water. Though little is known about these sponges in the Mid-Atlantic, they are usually a sign of good water quality. A freshwater sponges attached to a streambed rock. Asbury Memorial Cultural Landscape The triangular US Reservation 309 B is bordered to the north by the Kennesaw Apartments property, to the east by 16th Street, NW, and to the west by Mt. Pleasant Street. The 0.28-acre reservation is part of the Rock Creek Park administrative unit. An overhead view of the Asbury Memorial during a patriotic gathering Marconi Memorial Cultural Landscape Introduction to the history and features of Marconi Memorial, US Reservation 309 A at Rock Creek Park. Marconi Memorial: A gilded bronze form of a woman with her left arm extended. Gibbons Memorial Cultural Landscape The triangular US Reservation 309 G is bordered to the north by Park Road, to the east by Pine Street, NW, and to the west by 16th Street. The reservation is 0.22 acre. It is administratively part of Rock Creek Park. View east of US Reservation 309 G from 16th Street, NW toward Sacred Heart Church Montrose Park Cultural Landscape Montrose Park, a landscape within Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., was first developed as a private estate between 1804 and 1911. The property was purchased by the U.S. Government for the creation of a public park (1911-1919), and landscape architects with the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds prepared designs that integrated the character of the estate into elements for public use. Today, the neighborhood park is used for both passive and active recreation. A long, straight pathway is bordered by arching trees on one side and boxwoods on the other. Stiltgrass and Tree Seedling Recovery Recent analysis at Maryland's Catoctin Mountain Park shows Japanese stiltgrass does not limit the growth of tree seedlings in a forest recovering from deer overpopulation. Invasive Japanese stiltgrass blankets the sides of a shady forest road. Chestnut Oak / Mountain Laurel Forest in Rock Creek Park This natural community at Rock Creek Park is easy to spot because of the abundance of chestnut oak and near absence of American beech. You’ll find the Chestnut Oak / Mountain Laurel Forest on or near ridgetops and hilltops where the soil is dry, acidic, and infertile. Mountain laurel with flower buds. Beautification: A Legacy of Lady Bird Johnson As a champion of conservation efforts and environmental causes, Lady Bird Johnson initiated the Beautification Project to improve the quality of life for residents of Washington, D.C. through the renewal and improvement of public spaces. The environmental and aesthetic improvements of Beautification included tree-lined avenues, floral displays, design guidelines, improvements to pedestrian circulation, renovation of historic buildings, and litter clean up. A man in a tie and a woman in a yellow dress sit between an expanse of daffodils and a wide river Spotted Lanternfly 101 What you need to know about spotted lanternfly: a new, invasive, insect pest approaching the National Parks of the Mid-Atlantic. A spotted lanternfly with wings spread showing namesake spots Series: Geologic Time Periods in the Paleozoic Era During the Paleozoic Era (541 to 252 million years ago), fish diversified and marine organisms were very abundant. In North America, the Paleozoic is characterized by multiple advances and retreats of shallow seas and repeated continental collisions that formed the Appalachian Mountains. Common Paleozoic fossils include trilobites and cephalopods such as squid, as well as insects and ferns. The greatest mass extinction in Earth's history ended this era. fossil corals in a rock matrix Series: The Sarah Whitby Site and African-American History Sarah Whitby was an African-American woman whose family lived in Rock Creek Park between 1870 and 1900. The remains of her house were discovered by archeologists in 2005. Excavations of the Whitby house cellar and documentary research done as part of the same project, have opened a window into Washington's African-American past. Color illustration of the Sarah Whitby House with African Americans going about their day. Series: Ancient Native Americans in Rock Creek Park Native Americans have roamed the hills around Rock Creek and the falls of the Potomac for at least the past 10,000 years. However, for much of that time they do not seem to have stayed long. Archeologists Digging a Test Pit Beside the Fallen Tree that Revealed Location of Little Falls Sites Series: NPS Environmental Achievement Awards Since 2002, the National Park Service (NPS) has awarded Environmental Achievement (EA) Awards to recognize staff and partners in the area of environmental preservation, protection and stewardship. A vehicle charges at an Electric Vehicle charging station at Thomas Edison National Historical Park Series: The Battle of Fort Stevens On July 11 and 12, 1864, the nation's capital came under attack. Guns boomed in the northern suburbs as Confederate troops under Jubal Early probed Union defenses. Painting of President Lincoln at Fort Stevens observing the fight from a smoky elevation. Ordovician Period—485.4 to 443.8 MYA Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains national parks, along with the Blue Ridge Parkway that connects them, pass through rocks from the core of the Appalachian Mountains. The mountains began forming during the Ordovician and eventually attained elevations similar to those of the Himalayas. rock with fossil brachiopod shells Paleozoic Era During the Paleozoic Era (541 to 252 million years ago), fish diversified and marine organisms were very abundant. In North America, the Paleozoic is characterized by multiple advances and retreats of shallow seas and repeated continental collisions that formed the Appalachian Mountains. Common Paleozoic fossils include trilobites and cephalopods such as squid, as well as insects and ferns. The greatest mass extinction in Earth's history ended this era. fossil corals in a rock matrix Spotted Lanternfly in Perspective While spotted lanternfly and emerald ash borer are both invasive insect pests, introduced from Asia, that feed on trees (primarily), they have few other similarities. Learn how they differ in host preferences, feeding mode, and life cycle. A spotted lanternfly with black wingspots on a tree branch Amphibian Disease Risk in the National Capital Area Looking for disease, including ranaviruses and chytrid fungi, is an important part of amphibian monitoring done by the National Capital Region Inventory & Monitoring Network. Learn more about the risks posed by these diseases and the biosecurity protocols field crews use to reduce the risk of accidental spread. Red-spotted newt on brown forest floor leaves. Black spots and eyes contrast with vivid orange skin. DC's Civil War Earthworks Civil War fortifications were based on the European model of the 17th and 18th centuries. Professor Dennis Hart Mahan of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, was the leading authority of fortification engineering. Brood X Periodical Cicadas FAQ Learn about the Brood X periodical cicadas that emerged in 2021 throughout the Mid-Atlantic U.S. A perched periodical cicada with red eyes and orange wings Forest Regeneration 2020 What is the future of our forests? A look at forest regeneration capacity in National Capital Area national parks based on 2020 monitoring data. hand holding a leaflet on a white ash seedling National Capital Region PRISM and Invasive Species Since invasive species don’t recognize park boundaries, we need to work together with our partners, neighbors, and other federal and state entities to manage across borders. We can’t do it alone! a hand holds a rosette of green leaves over the water Plan Like a Park Ranger: Ten Tips for Visiting Rock Creek Park Plan like a Park Ranger and learn ten insider tips to make your next trip to Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC out of this world! A boulder covered bridge traverses a small creek. Green trees grow in the background Woodpeckers in Washington, DC? Not only are woodpeckers living in Washington, DC but there are several varieties of them that make their home in Rock Creek Park. Have you seen any? A pileated woodpecker looks for bugs in the bark of a tree Series: African American History at Gettysburg Abraham Brian, Basil Biggs, James Warfield, and Mag Palm are just a few of the many individuals that were affected by the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg, and each has their own story to tell. We have collected their stories in one place so that you can learn more about their various trials during this tumultuous time in American history. A black and white photograph of a black family posing with a white man and his horse in a dirt road. Capital pathways: Roads in Rock Creek Park Since its formal establishment as a park in 1897, the trails and roads of Rock Creek Park have been used both for recreation and to get around the national capital area. Read this article to learn about how their use has evolved over time. Bicyclists and drivers stand near Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park sometime between 1918 and 1920 Valuing Trees and Forests in the National Capital Area Understanding that trees have value opens our eyes to their important roles across the planet as well as in parks of the National Capital Area. This StoryMap series examines the values that trees bring to the National Parks of the National Capital Area. It focuses on three parks: the National Mall and Memorial Parks, Rock Creek Park, and Monocacy National Battlefield, each of which is home to notable trees within its urban forest. The MLK Jr Memorial stands by the Tidal Basin, surrounded by cherry blossom trees. Wildlife and Climate Change Climate change has produced a number of threats to wildlife throughout our parks. Rising temperatures lower many species survival rates due to changes that lead to less food, less successful reproduction, and interfering with the environment for native wildlife. These detrimental changes are already apparent in our National Capital Area parks. Great blue heron in a wetlands pond Sea Level Rise in the DC Area Learn about current and projected rates of sea level rise in the greater DC area, based on local water level data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) A tall white cylinder attached to a wooden pier with Hains Point in the background. Beech Trees in the National Capital Area American beech (Fagus grandifolia), the most common tree species in National Capital Area parks, is currently facing the emerging threat of Beech Leaf Disease (BLD). A forest with healthy green leafed beech trees SCA's Battery Kemble Crew Experiences Community, Conservation, and Connection at Rock Creek Park Over the summer, the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and the National Park Service Youth Programs Division were excited to visit SCA’s Battery Kemble crew at Rock Creek Park on July 29, 2021 to check out the hard work they had been working on for the past seven weeks. This crew worked for ten weeks on the removal of a deteriorated bridge and building of a new 30-foot bridge to provide easier and safer access for trail users. 2021 SCA Battery Kemble crew spelling out “SCA” with their bodies NPS Improving Pedestrian and Bicycle Access Near Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Through GAOA Funding The National Park Service is making safety and accessibility improvements to the popular multi-use trail along the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway. Pedestrians and bicyclists will enjoy a wider trail, a new tunnel and expanded green space. The $8 million project is funded in part through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) will rehabilitate 1.5 miles of the trail near Georgetown and the Kennedy Center from Virginia Ave., NW to the Inlet Bridge along the Potomac River. Rock Creek multi-use trail Changing Patterns of Water Availability May Change Vegetation Composition in US National Parks Across the US, changes in water availability are altering which plants grow where. These changes are evident at a broad scale. But not all areas experience the same climate in the same way, even within the boundaries of a single national park. A new dataset gives park managers a valuable tool for understanding why vegetation has changed and how it might change in the future under different climate-change scenarios. Green, orange, and dead grey junipers in red soil, mountains in background Incredible Untold Stories of Everyday Life In the Reconstruction period following the Civil War, newly freed African Americans faced monumental challenges to establish their own households, farm their own lands, establish community institutions and churches, and to pursue equal justice under the law in a period of racist violence. A new NPS report presents the story of the extraordinary accomplishments of rural African Americans in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Portrait of well dressed Black woman in round spectacles, short natural hair, and lacy white collar Challenging The Ranger Image In spite of programs to encourage hiring of individuals with disabilities, it was often others’ misconceptions or discomfort that prevented women with disabilities from getting National Park Service (NPS) jobs. Those hired in the 1970s and early 1980s brought diverse skillsets and new perspectives to the workforce. Like the earliest women rangers in the 1910s and 1920s, they often only had short-term positions. They all challenged ideas of what it takes to be a park ranger. Ranger Vicky White in a wheelchair with a visitor and man in military dress. Fort Reno Park- A Brief History of Reno City Summary of the Historic Resources Study for Reno City. Full report can be found at https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2291435 Property map of Reno City Forest Regeneration 2021 The latest look at forest regeneration capacity in National Capital Area national parks based on monitoring data from 2021. Green forest showing healthy understory of oak seedlings. Georgia A. Ellard Georgia A. Ellard moved to Washington, DC, when housing, restaurants, theaters, and most other aspects of life were segregated. Beginning her National Park Service (NPS) career in 1955, she was the only Black person in her office. Working her way up from clerical positions, she served as the first Black woman in several career positions and became the third Black woman superintendent in the NPS. Georgia Ellard standing outside posing in her NPS uniform with badge on the jacket. Autumn Amphibians Frog antifreeze and red efts? Learn more about fall amphibian life in the National Capital Area, including marbled salamanders, spring peepers, and red-spotted newts! A red-orange juvenile red-spotted newt climbs a rock Women in Landscape-Scale Conservation: Dorothy Borowy Dorothy Borowy is proud of her contributions to several grassland restoration projects in the Washington, DC, area. smiling woman stands in an aisle in a greenhouse with potted flowering plants I&M Networks Support Resilient Forest Management NPS Inventory and Monitoring Networks have been tracking forest health in eastern national parks since 2006. This monitoring information can guide resilient forest management and support parks in adapting to changing conditions through the actions described below. Forest health monitoring Resilient Forests Initiative - Managing Invasive Plants & Pests Park forests are threatened by invasive plants and pests. Strategically tackling invasive plants to protect park’s highest priority natural resources and planning around forest pests and pathogens are important actions in managing resilient forests. Forest Regeneration Managing Resilient Forests. A Regional Initiative Forests cover tens of thousands of acres in eastern national parks and these critical resources face a range of interacting stressors: over-abundant white-tailed deer populations, invasive plant dominance, novel pests and pathogens, among other threats. The Resilient Forests Initiative will help parks address these issue collectively. Forest health monitoring Resilient Forests Initiative - Managing Deer Impacts A healthy forest needs to have enough tree seedlings and saplings to regenerate the forest canopy after a disturbance. Analysis of NPS I&M and other long-term datasets makes it clear that many eastern national parks lack adequate tree regeneration due to decades of over browsing by white-tailed deer. Deer impacts Ash Tree Update 2021 Emerald ash borer (EAB) has killed most of the 300,000 ash trees in National Capital Region parks since 2014. Fewer than 80,000 living ash trees remain. Some ash-dominated swamps transformed into shrublands as ash root systems re-sprouted after EAB attack. In dry habitats, EAB proved more quickly fatal. A sunny swamp with dead tree trunks emerging from dense shrubs An Urban Biodiversity Refuge Yields Four Beetle Species New to Science Inside the Washington Beltway lies a portion of the Potomac Gorge, a haven for thousands of animals and plants. Some are yet to be described. A field of bright green plants with bell-shaped purple flowers. Series: Amphibian Monitoring in the National Capital Region Amphibians are a crucial part of both aquatic and land ecosystems, and National Capital Region parks are home to at least 20 different amphibian species. Learn how amphibian populations are changing based on more than fifteen years of NPS monitoring by the National Capital Region Inventory & Monitoring Network. Northern red salamander on a patch of sun dappled moss Rock Creek Amphibian Monitoring 2023 Rock Creek is hopping! Learn what recent amphibian monitoring data shows us about amphibian populations in the park! American toad (Bufo americanus) Amphibian Monitoring Update 2023 Learn how amphibians in the National Capital Region are faring based on fifteen years of NPS monitoring. Explore population changes, threats and stressors, and data-informed tools for protecting amphibian populations in our parks. Eye level view of a red salamander creeping along bright green moss Vines on Trees at Forest Edges Learn how climbing vines affect tree growth and mortality in National Capital Region park forests. This material was originally presented in a 2016 resource brief. Vines climb on trees at the forest edge at Rock Creek's Barnard Hill Park. Re-Growing Southeastern Grasslands Native grasslands once covered vast swaths of the southeastern U.S. Learn how national parks in DC, Maryland, and Virginia are working on conserving, rehabilitating, and restoring these grassland communities. A sunny grassland with rolling hills in the distance What We’re Learning and Why it Matters: Long-Term Monitoring in the National Capital Region Knowing which natural resources are found in the national parks, and whether they're stable or changing, helps decisionmakers make sound choices. The National Capital Region Network is building that knowledge. After over fifteen years of monitoring, we've learned a lot about park ecosystems, how they're changing, and what they may look like in the days to come. Find out what we’ve learned and how it’s being used to help managers plan for the future. Field crew measures the diameter of a tree. Kelcy Stefansson Kelcy Stefansson loved to ride her motorcycle and in 1988 she became the first woman in the US Park Police (USPP) Motor Unit. For almost a decade, she patrolled within Washington, DC and provided police escorts for presidents and other dignitaries. Promoted to lieutenant, Stefansson became commander of the George Washington Memorial Parkway Station before retiring with the rank of captain after 23 years of service. Kelcy Stefansson in her uniform, sitting on her motorcycle and holding her helmet in her hand. Reconstruction in the National Capital Area The legacy of Reconstruction is filled with triumph and trials, gains and losses. Though the era resulted in the dawn of the Jim Crow era, it did see a rise in Black political and social representation and power. Read more about the Reconstruction era in this timeline following the history of civil rights in America. Group portrait of African American legislators during Reconstruction. Tree Rings and the Tales They Tell Ecologists with the National Capital Region use tree cores from 36 different species to learn about the age of trees in park forests. Tree core samples taken from forest plots, laid side-by-side. At Dumbarton Oaks Park: A Youth Conservation Crew’s Trail to Success This summer, a Student Conservation Association trail crew was hard at work in Rock Creek Park, completing multiple restoration projects to enhance trails for visitor use. The crew was working in Dumbarton Oaks Park, a 27-acre section of Rock Creek Park, located in Washington D.C., near Georgetown. They even got a visit by the NPS Director Sams! Three SCA members wearing blue shirts and work pants with the NPS Director in the NPS uniform Series: Geologic Time—Major Divisions and NPS Fossils The National Park System contains a magnificent record of geologic time because rocks from each period of the geologic time scale are preserved in park landscapes. The geologic time scale is divided into four large periods of time—the Cenozoic Era, Mesozoic Era, Paleozoic Era, and The Precambrian. photo of desert landscape with a petrified wood log on the surface Series: Managing Resilient Forests Initiative for Eastern National Parks Forests in the northeastern U.S. are in peril. Over-abundant deer, invasive plants, and insect pests are negatively impacting park forests, threatening to degrade the scenic vistas and forested landscapes that parks are renowned for. With regional collaboration, parks can manage these impacts and help forests be resilient. This article series explores tools available to park managers to achieve their goals. Healthy forests have many native seedlings and saplings. Series: Great Alarm at the Capital In 1864, with US Gen. Ulysses Grant's army bogged down in front of Petersburg, Virginia, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee sought to take advantage. He ordered Gen. Jubal Early, in command of 14,000 soldiers, to launch a bold raid on the north. A column of soldiers marches forth from an earthwork fort with cannons. Natural High Points of States in Parks We all strive to reach new heights whether taking on the physical challenge to climb to the top or armchair-exploring from the comfort of our own home through virtual experiences. Discover the highest natural points in each state that are located within the National Park System, many of which can be visited by hikers, climbers, mountaineers, and drivers who are often rewarded by breathtaking views. Find photos, virtual tours, fun facts, and more on park websites. Snow-covered mountain elevation Plan Like a Park Ranger 1-Day Itinerary Rock Creek Park Established by congress in 1890, Rock Creek Park was one of the first public parks ever designated by the federal government which would eventually fall under the umbrella of the National Park Service. That’s right, Rock Creek Park is a national park! The main portion of Rock Creek Park stretches from the most northern point of D.C. and follows Rock Creek to where it joins the Potomac River in Georgetown. We have created this itinerary to help you experience the park. Water flows over a rocky creek bed through the lush forest in Rock Creek Park. Forest Regeneration 2022 Tree seedlings and small saplings are still in short supply in National Capital Region national parks. A look at forest regeneration capacity based on monitoring data from 2022. Sunlight filtering through a green forest with green seedlings covering most of the forest floor. A Forest Monitoring Cycle Like No Other What if your office were the woods? Your break room a mossy log? This is the reality for members of the Inventory & Monitoring forest vegetation crew. The team has collected data on forest health in NCR parks every year since 2006 and recently completed the fourth cycle of forest vegetation monitoring (2018-2022). Learn what staff biologists and technicians have to say about their experiences in the field these past five years. Five members of a forest crew leap for joy in a sun-soaked forest. 50 Nifty Finds #23: Second Wind Many people begin second careers later in life, but few can claim to have defined a professional field and influenced how generations of National Park Service (NPS) visitors experienced the parks in the process. Freeman Tilden was 59 years old when he turned his attention to national parks. He never wore the "green and gray" NPS uniform but he still made groundbreaking contributions to the NPS and the field of interpretation. Green beret on a black mannequin head for display Uncovering Fruit Tree History in Rock Creek Park Landscapes The history of orchards and fruit trees in Washington, DC is connected to agriculture, commercial nurseries, and picturesque-styled park development in the area. Today, partner organizations like the Friends of Peirce Mill, dedicated volunteers, and the National Park Service team up to care for natural and cultural resources of Rock Creek Park, including the mature fruit trees that are part of the Linnaean Hill landscape and a young demonstration orchard at Peirce Mill. The white blossoms of a mature cherry tree stand out in a cluster of trees on a hillside Saving Floodplain Flowers in Rock Creek Park Cooperative and concerted action has returned native spring ephemerals to the northern floodplain of Rock Creek Park, an area once overrun by the nonnative, invasive lesser celandine. Learn how ongoing and long-term invasive plant management can help restore a forest ecosystem to its former glory. Cluster of pink wildflowers amongst forest floor vegetation Guide to the E.B. Thompson Negative Collection This finding aid describes the E.B. Thompson Negative Collection, part of the NPS History Collection. Firefighting corps helps military veterans transition to civilian life From January through April, 2023, the National Capital Region (NCR) hosted a three-member, Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) crew of wildland firefighters. This crew, however, was unique: all three members were veterans. Two firefighters use handtools on a fireline with battlefield monuments in the background. National Capital Region firefighters help fight wildland fire in western Maryland In April 2023, ten wildland firefighters from parks in the National Park Service's National Capital Region spent two days helping state and local partners suppress a wildland fire near Clear Spring, Maryland. A firefighter uses a handtool to work on a fire burning in a downed log. My Park Story: Rashaun Edwards Meet Rashaun Edwards, a Greening Youth Foundation Digital Communications intern working in the Youth Programs Division! A young individual with short brown dreadlocks, brown shirt, and green trees in the background. Ash Tree Update 2022 Emerald ash borer are still decimating ash trees in the National Capital Region. Read on for the latest look into the state of ash trees in our parks based on forest monitoring data. Metallic emerald ash borer beetle atop a chewed leaf Resilient Forest Briefs for National Capital Region Parks As part of the ongoing conversation about managing resilient forests, short briefs on the resilience and regeneration status of each NCR park are now available. These summaries are based on 12 years of NPS forest vegetation monitoring data. bio tech gazing up through a sunlit forest 2022 George and Helen Hartzog Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service The National Park Service is pleased to congratulate the recipients of the 2022 George and Helen Hartzog Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service. A montage of photos of volunteers working in a national park. Bats Are in Danger. Here’s How and Why We’re Helping Them. Bats are amazing animals and a formidable force against insect pests, but a nasty fungal disease is killing them. A coordinated national response brings hope. GIF of a bat with big ears in a gloved hand, rotating its head and opening and closing its mouth. NCR's Forest Interior Birds Explore how forest interior breeding birds are faring in National Capital Region (NCR) parks. These species prefer the shadiest and quietest core of the forest landscape and are excellent indicators of a healthy forest ecosystem. We look at data on wood thrush, ovenbird, Kentucky warbler, Louisiana waterthrush, hooded warbler, and scarlet tanager from a report summarizing population trends for forest birds in NCR parks. a woodthrush perched on a branch with blurred green foliage background St. Phillips Hill (the Palisades), NW DC The African American community of St. Phillips Hill, in what is now the Palisades area of Washington DC, was established during the Reconstruction Era along Chain Bridge Road and the C&O Canal. While the historic community no longer exists, St. Phillips Hill was the home to over 100 African American families during its prime. Learn more about community of St. Phillips Hill and the legacy they left behind. Sepia photo of Chain Bridge - early 1860s. Long metal bridge over 2 lengths of water and land patch. Series: African American Communities Along the C&O Canal Learn more about five historic African American communities that greatly influenced areas along the C&O Canal and their imprints still visible on the landscape today. These communities formed during the Reconstruction Era as families began building new lives for themselves post-emancipation. While many of these communities no longer exist, their stories illustrate the impact of African American history along the canal. Sepia photo. 3 African Americans getting in boats on C&O Canal. Rocky shore, water, & buildings seen Series: A Timeline of Resistance: The Perseverance of African Americans from the Revolutionary War to the Civil Rights Era The story of African American’s fight for equality did not begin or end with the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. In the National Capital Area, dedicated activism and self-determination has been documented since the Revolutionary War through the present day. This series consists of six articles that outline distinct timelines of resistance and activism in the fight for freedom. A young African American girl gazes at the camera holding a banner for the March on Washington Eastern Parks Reduce Herds to Benefit Forests, Deer, and People National parks protect a small but critical part of eastern U.S. forests. They’re now responding to an accelerating crisis as overabundant white-tailed deer coincide with a profusion of invasive plants. two people stand next to a fenced off area full of lush vegetation. What Do We Mean by “Old Growth”? Definitions underpin everything people do, and agreeing on them is essential for joint action. But how we define our nation’s forests is especially important because of their global and cultural significance. A short, twisted, evergreen tree sits on a gray landscape with blue skies in the background Forest Regeneration 2023 Tree seedlings and small saplings are slowly increasing in National Capital Region national parks. A look at forest regeneration capacity based on monitoring data from 2023. Three people stand in a forest, smiling and pointing to a large tree trunk between them. Incised Fumewort (Corydalis incisa) Incised fumewort (Corydalis incisa) is a "high risk" invasive plant in the mid-Atlantic US with the potential to become widespread and cause a lot of damage. Learn how to identify it, differentiate it from the native yellow corydalis (Corydalis flavula), and help be on the lookout for this invasive species. A cluster of incised fumewort with green leaves and bright purple tubular flowers with violet ends. When Forests Come Down with a Bug: Forest Pests in the Greater DC Area Beech leaf disease, emerald ash borer, spotted lanternfly, spongy moth, oak decline and oak wilt are all pests present in National Capital Region (NCR) park forests. Learn about their effects and spread based on NCR Inventory & Monitoring data, and get the heads up on elm zigzag sawfly and beech bark disease. A black and red insect sits on a leaf. Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park System To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Basic Mesic Hardwood Forest in Rock Creek Park The Basic Mesic Hardwood Forest is one of the most species-diverse natural communities in Rock Creek Park. A profusion of wildflowers and ferns on the forest floor make this forest stand out in spring. Look for it in deep, shaded, moist ravines, or on cool, groundwater-fed lower slopes whose concave shape tends to collect deep, moist soils. New York Fern in a Basic Mesic Hardwood Forest Flying Squirrels: A Field Note Southern flying squirrels are common in eastern forests, but are rarely seen by humans because they are nocturnal. Learn more about these unique animals! A flying squirrel clings to a tree trunk. 2023 Excellence in Volunteerism Awards The National Park Service congratulates the regional recipients of the 2023 Excellence in Volunteerism Awards. These nominees embody the values of service, engagement, and stewardship fundamental to our national parks. The volunteer-in-parks logo Beech Leaf Disease: Mistaken Identity Beech leaf disease is a growing concern in the National Capital Region and beyond, but it can be difficult to distinguish from other pests. Learn more about how to recognize this disease and avoid falling for look-alikes! A close-up image of a cluster of beech leaves striped with dark banding. At-Risk Turtles - Ongoing Research Spotlight Parks are a great place to appreciate turtles in their natural habitat. NPS is now studying at-risk land turtles in the Mid-Atlantic to better understand how to help them survive into the future. A turtle with bright orange chin and neck peers upward from a woody wet spot Guide to the Harry T. Thompson Collection This finding aid describes the Harry T. Thompson Collection, part of the National Capital Regional Office Museum Collection. Harry T. Thompson Guide to the Frank T. and Charles T. Chapman Collection This finding aid describes the Frank T. and Charles T. Chapman Collection, part of the National Capital Regional Office Museum Collection. Charles T. Chapman Project Profile: Implement Landscape-Scale Restoration of Eastern Grasslands to Improve Ecosystem Health The National Park Service will restore up to 4,000 acres of agricultural fields and degraded lands across 35 parks in 14 states. This landscape-scale restoration project will expand the range and connectivity of native grasslands across the eastern US, restore biodiversity and critical ecosystem functions, reduce pesticide use, benefit people and wildlife, and create employment opportunities for diverse early career youth. A park manager and others standing amidst a grassy landscape. Project Profile: Landscape Stewardship Corps Pre-Apprenticeship Program In collaboration with the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation, the Historic Preservation Training Center is launching the Traditional Trades Advancement Program-Landscape Stewardship Corps, a nationwide internship program aimed at inspiring youth. The program focuses on providing hands-on experiences and training in cultural landscape preservation, preparing the next generation to become stewards of the National Park Service (NPS). Project Profile: Treat Invasive Plants and Promote Regeneration of Climate-Resilient Tree Species in Eastern Forests The National Park Service will address the decline in long-term forest resilience within three national parks – Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Rock Creek Park, and Catoctin Mountain Park. Chronic stressors such as overabundant deer, invasive plants, forest pests, and habitat fragmentation have led to diminished forest regeneration and increased vulnerability. A vertical shot of a barren tree amidst a forested landscape. Two-Horned Trapa (Trapa bispinosa) Two-horned trapa (Trapa bispinosa) is an invasive aquatic plant that's considered an early detection rapid response species in the greater Washington, DC region. Learn how to identify it, differentiate it from the Eurasian water chestnut, and help be on the lookout for this invasive species. A floating green water plant with diamond shaped leaves around a small pink flower.