Our Work

BioThrive connects young people with community-based ecological projects designed to reduce the impact of invasive plants on parklands, across the DMV and around the world. Scroll on to learn more about how we do it.

Meadow Restoration Pilot Program:

We collaborated with the Croydon Creek Nature Center to clear out a patch of mugworts. Mugworts are highly invasive and have deep roots. Our project was a pilot program to test the effectiveness of industry grade vinegar, which is very expensive, to remove Mugwarts. A controlled study of shade + vinegar vs. only shade was conducted. Once the roots were removed, we replanted the area with native plants and set up a deer exclosure.

A group of young people outdoors in a wooded area, some holding tools like shovels and rakes, participating in a tree planting or environmental activity.
People working outdoors on a sunny day, covering a black tarp with dirt or mulch in a wooded area with green trees and clear blue sky.
Group of young people planting small trees and shrubs in a designated outdoor space with cardboard mulch, surrounded by trees and greenery.
A group of children and teenagers planting trees and doing outdoor work in a wooded area, with many trees and bright sunlight in the background. There is a sign that reads 'Meadow Restoration Project. Please stay off the black plastic.'
Several potted plants with labels placed on a black plastic sheet on the grass, typical of a gardening or planting activity.
A group of children and adults planting trees in a forested area as part of the Meadow Restoration Project, with a sign advising to stay off of the black plastic.
A small, black plastic sheet on the ground in a grassy area with trees in the background, a person partially visible on the left, and a sign in the center that reads 'Meadow Restoration Project. Please stay off of the black plastic.'
A small garden plot with young plants surrounded by a green wire fence, located in a clearing with trees and bushes in the background.
Potted plants on black tarp on grass, with garden tools and water bottle nearby.
Group of young students participating in a meadow restoration project outdoors, holding poles, standing around a planted area with a sign that reads "Meadow Restoration Project. Please stay off of the black plastic!" surrounded by trees and a partly
Three teenagers standing outdoors in a garden or park, one holding a red pole or tool, while the other two watch; trees and gardening tools in the background.
Three young men standing outdoors in a wooded area, with one holding a water bottle, the middle making peace signs, and the third giving a thumbs up, all dressed in casual sportswear.
People participating in a meadow restoration project planting plants in a cleared area with a sign that says 'Meadow Restoration Project. Please stay off of the black plastic!' in a wooded area.
A group of young people planting trees outdoors on a clear, sunny day. They are working with small saplings, shovels, and cardboard plant protectors, surrounded by natural greenery and dirt.
Young people planting or studying young trees in a forest, with cardboard squares around plant bases for protection or support.
Two children working on a meadow restoration project, planting young plants in a cleared area with a sign that says not to use black plastic.
Four people working outdoors on a black tarp in a grassy, wooded area. One person is kneeling, another crouching, and two sitting, with dense trees and bushes in the background.
Group of children planting a tree using shovels and gloves outdoors.
Potted plants and a small cardboard box with additional plants leaning against a wooden fence in a garden.
Group of children and teenagers outdoors in a wooded area, some holding tools, listening to a young boy in a red cap and gloves explaining something.
Children and adults planting young trees in a garden area outdoors with tools and gardening supplies.
A group of boys and young men working together to clear leaves and dirt in a wooded area. They are using shovels and a wheelbarrow.
Group of young people planting a tree outdoors, with some kneeling and others standing around cardboard mats, in a natural setting with trees in the background.
Group of people working outdoors on a sunny day, installing or repairing a structure with black tarp on the ground in a grassy, wooded area.
Group of people working on a meadow restoration project in a grassy, wooded area during daytime. They are laying out black plastic sheeting on the ground surrounded by trees and shrubs, under clear weather.
Group of people participating in a meadow restoration project outdoors, some planting and others holding tools, with a sign that says 'Meadow Restoration Project Please stay off of the black plastic!' amidst trees and bright sunlight.
Group of youth and adults working together outdoors in a forested area for a restoration project, digging and planting in the soil.
Group of people planting small trees in a garden bed, some kneeling and some standing, with gardening tools and plants around.
A wooded area with young plants growing in the foreground and mature trees in the background, enclosed by a wire mesh fence.
A man with gray hair wearing a bright yellow long-sleeve shirt and gloves works on installing or repairing a wire fence in a wooded area. Two children, one in a navy jacket and shorts, and another in a black shirt and pants, are assisting with the fence installation. In the background, a woman with a hat is also visible among tall trees in a forest setting.
A diverse group of nine people standing behind a small fence in a forest, some smiling, participating in an outdoor activity.
Group of people, including children and adults, participating in a cleanup activity in a forested area with tall trees and sunlight filtering through the leaves.

Difficult Run Stream Valley Park:

We collaborated with The Fairfax County Park Authority Invasive Management Area Program to remove invasive species and build a deer exclosure fence to protect native plants. A survey was conducted with iNaturalist, which identified Japanese stiltgrass, Japanese barberry, wineberry, and multiflora rose as the main invasive species.

Group of people in a forest participating in a community cleanup, with trash bags and gloves, posing for a photo.
A collection of yard tools, including pruning shears, loppers, and a hedge trimmer, lying on the ground amidst fallen leaves and dirt near bushes.
Dense forest with green undergrowth and thin trees scattered throughout.
A wooded area with tall trees and green undergrowth. There is a metal cage or structure in the background among the trees. Sunlight filters through the trees, casting shadows on the ground.
A forest with tall trees and lush green grass, with sunlight filtering through the leaves, and a shadow of the photographer cast on the ground.
People participating in a planting or cleanup activity in a forested area during daytime.
People participating in a woodland cleanup or environmental activity in a forest, with trees and green foliage surrounding them.
Group of people outdoors on a forested road, some wearing gloves and casual clothes, with orange traffic cones, participating in a cleanup or environmental activity.
Group of people in a forest, some wearing hats, gathering around and examining fallen logs and trees.
People participating in a forest cleanup, collecting trash and placing it in black garbage bags among trees and greenery.
Person using a shovel to dig in a forested area with green plants and fallen leaves.
Person wearing white gloves using pruning shears to cut a plant in a wooded area with green foliage and dry leaves on the ground.
Group of people participating in a community outdoor cleanup event in a forested area, picking up trash and weeds.
Person wearing gloves holding a root in a garden with grass and fallen leaves.
A person wearing a blue glove is using a small tobacco tester to check for tobacco mosaic virus on a plant in a forested area with fallen leaves and small green plants.
Three people participating in a tree planting activity in a forest. A woman in a striped shirt and white cap holds a small tree, while a boy inspects a water bottle. Another woman in a bright yellow shirt and hat observes. They are surrounded by gree
Person crouching in greenery, wearing a pink hat, light-colored long-sleeve shirt, dark pants, and gloves, engaged in plant or ground vegetation work outdoors.
Group of people cleaning up trash and planting in a forested area.
People participating in a wooded area cleanup, collecting trash and debris into black garbage bags.
People participating in a cleanup event in a forest, collecting trash and debris, with black trash bags scattered around.
A dense forest with tall trees and green foliage, sunlight filtering through the leaves, and a forest floor with grass and fallen branches.
Group of people in a forest participating in a cleanup activity, some holding trash bags and tools, listening to a woman in a bright yellow shirt.
Group of people standing and holding trash bags and tools in a wooded area during a cleanup event.
Group of people in a forest holding trash bags, participating in a cleanup event.
A man and a young boy working together to install or repair a wire fence in a wooded outdoor area during daytime. The man is wearing a bright yellow shirt and gloves, while the boy is wearing a dark jacket and shorts.
Group of people working outdoors in a wooded area, installing or repairing a wire fence with trees in the background.
A wire fence surrounds a small section of a forested area with young plants growing in the soil. Tall trees with green leaves are in the background, and sunlight filters through the foliage.
Group of people, including children and adults, standing behind a wire fence in a wooded area during daytime. Some individuals are wearing gloves and bright shirts, possibly participating in an outdoor activity like tree planting or conservation work

Remove & Restore:

We collaborated with The Mclean Tree Foundation to clear out a patch of invasive species behind Churchill Road Elementary and plant several native oak trees. We are currently maintaining the area on a consistent schedule to support the growth of our trees.

Three young men gardening outdoors next to a metal cage with plants, one holding a tool and another making a peace sign.
A garden with green plants growing around several metal plant protectors, on a grassy lawn next to a large tree with dense foliage, and a parking lot visible in the background.
Two people standing on a narrow asphalt path in a green park, with several water bottles and a tube-shaped container on the ground nearby, and metal wire-frame cages behind them, surrounded by dense trees and foliage.
Two young men standing outdoors in a green field with trees and a partly cloudy sky in the background, working on a metal plant support cage surrounded by tall plants and weeds.
Empty garden area with five wire fences, surrounded by trees and grass, near a paved road.
Group of people cleaning up a park with trees and grass, picking up debris and weeds.
Group of young people working together outdoors in a garden or park, removing invasive plants and weeds, surrounded by trees and a grassy area.
Overgrown bushes and trees in a yard with a basketball court in the background and a house with a deck.
A grassy park with a paved walking path on the left, surrounded by green plants, trees, and a cleared area with playground equipment in the background.
A young man standing in a garden with tomato cages around planting areas, trees and houses in the background.
A young man standing outdoors with undeveloped trees and a grassy area in the background. He is surrounded by several cylindrical wire cages planted with small plants. He is wearing a gray T-shirt, khaki pants, and a baseball cap, with his arms outst
Group of people installing a wire fence along a trail in a park, with trees and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Group of people working together to clear fallen branches and debris in a wooded area.
Two people planting a small shrub in a garden, with one person kneeling and the other standing, holding a tool, in a sunny garden with trees and gardening supplies.
Large brown paper bags filled with yard waste in front of a red wooden sign that reads 'Churchill Road Park.' In the background, a smaller red sign indicates the park is closed at dark and no alcoholic beverages or unpermitted devices are allowed. Gr
A young person wearing a maroon T-shirt, khaki shorts, and gloves is working outdoors with a small gardening or wiring tool, standing next to a wooden post surrounded by green grass and trees with autumn-colored leaves.
Three young people exploring a dense, green bush in a forested area, wearing hats and gloves, one in a pink shirt and grey pants, one in a blue shirt and dark pants, and one in a white shirt and dark pants.
Two women standing under a large tree in a grassy field, with one woman holding a branch and the other observing, both wearing outdoor gear and hats.
Five young men standing outdoors in a wooded area, smiling, with autumn foliage in the background.
Virginia Fairfax County Park Authority badge with trees and water design

Fairfax Fights!: Invasive Management Area Program(IMA)

IMA works to do more than just pull weeds. It’s also habitat restoration and a long-term commitment to parks. Invasive plant species are difficult to remove and control, but with the help of IMA volunteers, undesirable non-native, invasive plants are removed and native plants are returned to the habitat. Native plantings take place in the spring and fall.

Logo for Tree Stewards featuring a brown tree with green leaves and the text 'Tree Stewards Arlington Alexandria'

McLean Tree Foundation

From its roots in the beautification movement inspired by Lady Bird Johnson, the wife of President Lyndon Johnson, the McLean Trees Foundation has grown into an organization with a much broader agenda.  Then the emphasis was almost exclusively on planting trees and shrubs to make a more attractive landscape; now there is a new focus on rebuilding and diversifying McLean’s native tree canopy, restoring native ecosystems, and combatting invasive plants that threaten native trees, plants, and wildlife.

Montgomery Parks logo with a green tree inside a circle and the text 'Montgomery Parks' and 'Montgomery County, MD'.

Weed Warrior

The Weed Warrior Volunteer Program was created in 1999 to empower community members to help Montgomery Parks staff manage non-native, invasive plants (NNIs) on parkland. Volunteers are taught to properly identify and manage specific species of NNIs using best management practices.

Logo for Volunteer Alexandria with a circular design made of multicolored dots and the words 'Volunteer Alexandria' with the tags 'Inspire, Mobilize, Connect' and 'Global Network Affiliate'.

We inspire and connect people to improve our community. Our volunteers solve local problems and serve as a powerful force toward a healthy, productive and engaged community.

350 FAIRFAX

We are a grassroots movement in Fairfax County, Virginia, challenging systems that lead to catastrophic climate change. Join us as we work with community members and elected officials to preserve environmental health, conserve resources, and promote social justice. Together with other local and national progressive groups, we will create a just and sustainable future for all.

Two people working on a tree in a wooded area, one cutting the branches while the other is using pruning tools.
A woman and a young man standing in front of a tent with a banner that reads "McLEAN TREES FOUNDATION." The woman holds a pamphlet, and the young man is giving a thumbs-up. Several people are behind the table and tent, which promotes planting native trees.
Multiple black trash bags filled with yard debris lined up beneath trees in a grassy park, with two volunteers in bright yellow shirts talking to each other.
Group of people planting a young tree in a park during autumn, with fallen leaves and trees in the background.
Group of young people planting trees and working in a forest on a sunny day.
Two young women carrying a large green fabric or tarp through a wooded trail surrounded by fallen autumn leaves, with trees showing fall foliage and a clear blue sky.
Two young men wearing gloves and casual clothes volunteering in a dense wooded area, clearing fallen leaves and debris.
A young man holding a small shovel outdoors in a wooded area during autumn, with another person in the background, surrounded by trees and foliage.

Get Involved!

We can’t wait to welcome you into the BioThrive community! Join us by filling out the form below and we’ll be in touch to confirm your membership and share more information about projects of interest.

Fairfax Fights!: Invasive Management Area Program(IMA)

IMA works to do more than just pull weeds. It’s also habitat restoration and a long-term commitment to parks. Invasive plant species are difficult to remove and control, but with the help of IMA volunteers, undesirable non-native, invasive plants are removed and native plants are returned to the habitat. Native plantings take place in the spring and fall.

People working in a dense forest with tall trees and green foliage.
A tall tree with a thick, textured trunk and sparse branches extending upward, partially covered in green ivy, against a background of a blue sky with scattered clouds.

McLean Tree Foundation

From its roots in the beautification movement inspired by Lady Bird Johnson, the wife of President Lyndon Johnson, the McLean Trees Foundation has grown into an organization with a much broader agenda.  Then the emphasis was almost exclusively on planting trees and shrubs to make a more attractive landscape; now there is a new focus on rebuilding and diversifying McLean’s native tree canopy, restoring native ecosystems, and combatting invasive plants that threaten native trees, plants, and wildlife. 

Weed Warriors: Montgomery County Park, MD

Most natural communities support a great variety of native plants and animals. Such biodiversity is threatened when a few plant species take over and dominate the herbaceous, shrub, or canopy layers of a forest. Often it requires a mix of mechanical, chemical, and hand removal efforts to be successful. The key is to find NNI populations when they are small and remove them before they become established.

Bags of yard debris, including branches and leaves, piled on grass under a tree in a park area.
A person standing on the edge of a mountain with arms raised, overlooking a mountain landscape under a cloudy sky, with a textual overlay about Fairfax County's environmental movement.