FT 2

Biodiversity and History Along the Potomac River — George Washington’s Plantation and Four Parks Including Great Falls on the Potomac of the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia

We will experience the rich ecosystems of the U.S. Coastal Plain Geological Province at President George Washington’s Plantation, Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, and Roosevelt Island and of the Piedmont Geological Province at Turkey Run Park and Great Falls Park. The Plantation harbors huge, old, planted trees; natural areas; and diverse, historic gardens of flowers, fruit, herbs, and vegetables. During a walk in DMWP, we will examine a Mid-Atlantic, flood-plain forest, swamp forest, and a rare, tidal, fresh-water marsh. The National Park Service plans to restore part of this marsh soon which will be large, challenging project. Roosevelt Island is primarily a flood-plain forest with large trees; Pawpaw patches; the impressive memorial dedicated to President Theodore Roosevelt, founder the U.S. National Park System; and the famous rocks where Matthew Brady photographed Union soldiers and the old tobacco port of Georgetown during the U.S. Civil war in the 1860s. At Turkey Run Park, we will walk along the Potomac River on an ancient Native American trail called the American Heritage Trail, and observe flood-plain forest, upland boulder forest, and rocky Turkey Run. Our last stop, Great Falls Park, comprises the historic Patowmack Canal; upland forest; rare, bedrock terrace forest; the huge, magnificent Great Falls of the Potomac; and the northern end of the Potomac Gorge. The Potomac Gorge is a biodiversity hotspot. About 20,000 species live within our field trip sites. Bring your binoculars and cameras.