Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints D.C. South Mission

Cynthia Jacobs Carter, Ed.D.Elly Doyle Park Service Award Lee District Park Authority Board Member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints D.C.

South Mission

Over the course of the past year, volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints D.C. South Mission have cleared an area at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield of invasive plant species, and then planted native plants. The group worked every Saturday morning, painstakingly removing invasive plants that have overrun the area, sometimes working square-foot-by-square-foot to remove intricate root systems. In addition, the numerous volunteers have done everything from cutting back invasives to making protective wire “cages” to prevent deer browse to ensure the success of the young trees. With the group’s assistance, more than 360 native plants were planted over two fall plantings.