One of my favorite spots in the park. Photo credit: Coral Keegan
Rock Creek Park is a 1,700-acre haven in the middle of the United States' capital. Established in 1890, it is one of the largest urban natural parks in the world and provides important recreational and ecological benefits. It is a refuge for urban wildlife including white-tailed deer, red fox, eastern chipmunks, raccoons, and even Washington DC’s only endemic (and endangered) species - the hay’s spring and kenk's amphipods. It is also home to a plethora of bird species and is an important stopover location for many migrating birds along the Atlantic Flyway. The park's secondary growth forest adds value to remnant forest patches surrounding the park, allowing for ecological connectivity between these fragmented areas. Its seep and spring habitats are increasingly important for flora and fauna, as these types of ecosystems have been almost entirely eliminated within the region.
I have decided to delve further into the biodiversity of Rock Creek Park because I have so enjoyed spending time exploring it during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine. It is a location that I have taken for granted for many years. In the ten years I have lived in and around Washington, DC, I had only been to the park a handful of times. But during the quarantine, I was forced to stop traveling and to distance from friends, so I turned to Rock Creek for solace. I have enjoyed exploring its miles of winding trails and for the first time in a long time, “getting lost” in my own backyard. What has by far brought me the most joy has been getting to know the multitude of bird species that call Rock Creek Park home. I have begun to learn the sounds and behaviors of many species, and it has made me feel more connected to nature and brought me some peace during these anxious times. I am excited to learn more about this special place over the coming months, especially the area’s plant species, as I do not currently know much about them.
Sources:
Carruthers, T., S. Carter, L. Florkowski, J. Runde, and W. Dennison. 2009. Rock Creek Park natural resource condition assessment, National Capital Region Network. Natural Resource Report NPS/ NCRN/NRR—2009/109. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.
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