All projects undertaken at JK Black Oak are done by volunteers. Work days take place each month from April to December, usually on the first Saturday of the month, and are listed on the Volunteer Opportunities page when registration opens. The photo galleries below show some of the habitat restoration activities taking place during those work days. Volunteer citizen scientists are also shown below.
Invasive Removal
Like many natural areas in Northern Virginia, the Sanctuary is overrun with invasive plants. Some of the worst offenders are Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora) and Mile-a-Minute (Persicaria perfoliata). There is also a population of Wavyleaf Basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius) that is spreading rapidly. Removing these invaders will give native plants a chance to recover and grow, dramatically improving habitat for wildlife.
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Protecting Trees from Deer
White-tailed Deer browse has had a major impact on the forest understory, all but eliminating emerging native trees and shrubs. Volunteers installed three deer exclosures and individual cages to protect young trees. (Watch the video.) This work is funded by a generous grant from Microsoft in partnership with the Society for Ecological Restoration.
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Native Plant Rescue
In preparation for the wetlands mitigation project in the east meadow at JK Black Oak, plants were relocated from the project area in 2021 and 2022 to similar meadows on the west side of the property. Before the plant rescues, volunteers spent a couple of months identifying and marking plants to be transplanted.
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Tree Planting
The first tree-planting project took place in 2019, with a smaller projects taking place in 2022 and 2024. Additional plantings of trees and shrubs will take place in 2025.
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Citizen Science
Citizen science projects taking place at JK Black Oak include amphibian and reptile monitoring, bat monitoring, native plant and insect surveys and stream monitoring.
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