Little Falls Watershed Alliance turned 16 this year and celebrated with a party on Sunday, February 25.
It was a full evening of food, awards, politicians and a great presentation on the wildlife of the watershed by Dan Rauch, Wildlife Biologist for the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE).
Jane Padelford Gomes was recognized for her tremendous contribution to the watershed, the Green Acres Habitat Restoration. This project, started by Jane in 2016, has transformed the muddy, invasive overgrown “paper road” between Wakefield and Yorktown Roads in Bethesda into a haven of native plants alive with song birds, butterflies, bees and other native insects. Jane has organized more than 20 workdays in the community lead effort, engaging more than 170 volunteers, plus given 100s of hours of her own time watering, developing a landscaping plan, ordering plants and weeding. See pictures of the project HERE.
The Coalition for the Capital Crescent Tail was honored for our partnership to restore the habitat of the Capital Crescent Trail and remove the non-native invasive shrubs and vines that are killing the native trees. Together, we have hosted 17 work days, engaging 283 volunteers for over 638 man-hours. Since 2023, we have been focusing on the intersection of the trail at Little Falls Parkway, slowly making our way towards Bethesda. We haven’t counted, but we’ve free 100s of trees in this area! Learn more about the project HERE.
Maria Sokolowski, left with LFWA President Karen Thornton and Executive Director Sarah Morse
Maria Sokolowski was recognized for her contribution to our trash program. Maria is a senior at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School and has been volunteering as our trash coordinator since last June. She coordinates the monthly trash pick-ups, finding site hosts and organizes the supplies and data reporting. We are lucky to have her and will miss her when she goes off to college next fall.
The program also included a “fireside chat” with County Executive Marc Elrich, District 16 Delegate Marc Korman and Sara Love, and At-Large Montgomery County Councilmemeber Evan Glass moderated by LFWA President Karen Thornton. We are grateful for their insights into environmental issues facing the State and County as well as our little corner of the world.
Fireside Chat: from left, LFWA President Karen Thornton, County Executive Marc Elrich, Councilmember Even Glass, MD Delegate Sara Love and MD Delegate Marc Korman.
Thank you to the Westmoreland Church for donating use of their social hall. We are so grateful for their support. Thank you to former Board Member Maurie Kathan for coordinating the food; to Michael Morse for doing the AV; to Jeff Zeizel for his beautiful photos and for washing dishes; to Nicholas Carson for donating the Lorax Project patches; to Dan Rauch for his amazing presentation; to Rory Thornton for greeting guests at the door; to Averill Simone for helping with set-up; to David Kathan for the opening slide show; to LFWA founder Suzanne Richman for helping sign people in; and to all the board members who make this event possible.
