Catoctin Mountain Park Pursues Forest Re-growth and Restoration through Bold Efforts and Infusion of Funding
NPS/J.Zuke Today, Catoctin Mountain Park is a lush, green paradise with nearly 95% of its area covered by thriving forest. But this hasn’t always been the case. Over the centuries, the forests have undergone dramatic changes. Now, the park is committed to nurturing and protecting these resilient forests. Recent studies show that deer, invasive plants, pests, and climate change pose serious threats to their survival. Without the park’s dedicated conservation efforts, these beautiful forests might not endure.
A History of Forest Changes Imagine a time when the forests of the Catoctin Mountains were ablaze with frequent fires—58 recorded between 1702 and 1951. And starting in the late 1700s, old-growth forests were chopped down for charcoal-making and farming. The majestic American chestnut trees, once a dominant part of the forest, were nearly wiped out by a blight between 1912 and 1940. When the charcoal industry ceased in 1875, trees that had been cut for charcoal making began to resprout from their existing roots. When the area was designated as a park in 1936, these trees were smaller than fence posts and land that had been farmed heavily were left treeless and fallow. But then, a transformation began. As a national park, the land was allowed to regenerate. The Civilian Conservation Corps planted more than 5,000 trees in 1939 and 1940 on previous farmland, kickstarting a remarkable recovery. From the 1930s to the 1970s, with low deer populations and few invasive plants, the forests flourished. Fire suppression policies since the 1930s helped certain species thrive and led to an accumulation of woody debris. In the 1970s, park staff noticed a lack of understory vegetation throughout the park due to high deer numbers, in stark contrast to the diversity of plant life in areas protected from deer. By 2009, forest regeneration was almost non-existent in most parts of the park. Working to Keep the Forest Resilient In 2009, the park took bold steps to reduce the overabundant deer population that had devastated tree regeneration. This intervention led to a stunning 21-fold increase in tree seedlings. The park continues to manage deer to ensure these seedlings grow into majestic, mature trees. Treating Forest Pests When pests attack, Catoctin fights back. During the 1980s and early 2000s, the park used aerial insecticides to combat spongy moth infestations. Since the early 2000s, the park has treated eastern hemlock trees to protect them from the destructive hemlock woolly adelgid pest. Prescribed Fire Fire, once suppressed, is now an ally in forest restoration. In 2024, the park conducted its second prescribed fire in the Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock Forest area to encourage fire adapted species growth. Protecting Plants In 2023, the park ramped up efforts to protect native plants from poaching. Through public awareness campaigns and increased law enforcement, visitors are reminded that poaching is illegal and harmful to the park’s ecosystem. Removing Invasive Plants Catoctin Mountain Park is on a mission to eliminate invasive plants that outcompete native species. For a number of years, the park depended on a regional invasive plant team to remove invasive plants. Recently, the park initiated additional work by a 6-person crew dedicated to treating invasive barberry and wavy leaf basket grass throughout the park. A major step forward occurred in 2022, when the park deployed a powerful mulching machine to clear a large open area of invasive shrubs, prepping the site for new tree planting. 
NPS/ Michael Grismer
Replanting Thanks to funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, Catoctin Mountain Park is embarking on a new phase of forest restoration. In 2024 and 2025, the park will clear more acres of invasive shrubs and plant resilient tree species like American basswood, red and white oak, and shagbark hickory. These trees are expected to thrive in changing climate conditions and will create vital habitats for endangered wildlife, including the northern long-eared bat, Indiana bat, and the proposed endangered tricolored bat. “For years, we battled stubborn thickets of thorny shrubs, losing ground as they overtook our forest. Restoring these wooded areas seemed like an impossible task. But then, we discovered a method to efficiently clear the shrubs using a forestry mower. The next challenge: how to gather the resources and people power to replant native trees and keep the invasives at bay. Despite uncertainties, I was confident that by taking that initial step of shrub removal, we'd uncover a path forward. Enter the Inflation Reduction Act funding, transforming our daunting predicament into a hopeful vision of success. Already, our inaugural effort has taught us invaluable lessons, paving the way for smoother and more effective restoration ahead,” said Catoctin Mountain Park Chief of Resource Management Lindsey Donaldson. Infusion of Funding The National Park Service National Capital Region has received more than $2.9 million in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) investments to restore forest ecosystems, with Catoctin receiving $1.7. The IRA became law on August 16, 2022. It has provided the National Park Service with a historic opportunity to address critical ecosystem resilience, restoration, and environmental planning needs. Join Catoctin Mountain Park in celebrating the remarkable journey of forest re-growth and restoration.These efforts ensure that the park remains a vibrant, thriving haven for generations to come. 
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Last updated: July 9, 2024