Within and Outside of Dyke Marsh: Part One

Within and Outside of Dyke Marsh: Part One
By J. Glenn Eugster
July 28, 2010

Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve inspires us to learn about the nature of this special place, its ecological functions and public uses. Our knowledge motivates us to help sustain the preserve to provide ecologic and human services. Our interest may be demonstrated by donations of time and money, documenting plants and animals of the area, or participating in government studies and decision-making for the preserve. Today it is not enough to merely appreciate nature; we have to actively work to protect it.

Dyke Marsh, which is managed by the National Park Service, has a boundary, but the mere physical boundaries of the wildlife preserve do not guarantee the protection of its special qualities. As we have learned more about the preserve we understand that it is part of a connected and interdependent system of lands, wetlands and waters--a green infrastructure. Dyke Marsh is influenced by other areas and activities within the watersheds it is a part of. What happens in these other places can help or hinder protection and management efforts.

Although progress is being made to protect Dyke Marsh much of the green infrastructure system it is a part of is being destroyed or impaired. As the surrounding watershed of Dyke Marsh is being developed to meet important needs the green infrastructure is being undervalued. Since the 1950’s threats to natural areas and open space has been identified as an important public concern. Different government and private sector reports estimate that the greater Washington DC area loses from 29 to 100 acres of green space each day to other land uses. Over this same period green space loss has continued to far outpace protection efforts.

The leaders of the greater Washington DC area took action to protect natural assets to serve future generations through implementation of the 1901 McMillan Report and the 1930 Capper Cramton Act. These efforts recognized that the greater Washington DC area, given it is the nation’s capital and home to the federal government, should have a system of interconnecting public parkland for the beatification, recreational, and protection of the Potomac River. These actions shaped the initial green infrastructure for the greater Washington DC area and serve as testimony and inspiration for future actions.

Today the National Park Service views Dyke Marsh as “a national treasure–a natural oasis surrounded by a bustling urban environment“. Saving the area will require managing within the preserve boundary as well as having some say about what goes on outside the area. Congressman Moran and the Secretary of the Department of the Interior Salazar have ideas for how all levels of the government and the private sector can work together to cooperatively protect the ecosystems and green infrastructure that Dyke Marsh and other green spaces depend upon. Part two of this article will highlight what they propose and what you can do to help. Today it is not enough to merely appreciate nature; we have to actively work to protect it.

J. Glenn Eugster is a board member of the America the Beautiful Fund and Seminary Hill Association. He has worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Park Service, various state, regional and local governments, and the private sector. His experience includes park and green infrastructure work with the President’s Council on Sustainable Development, Chesapeake Bay Program, Center for Urban Ecology, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and the City of Alexandria, VA. He is trained in ornamental horticulture, landscape architecture and ecological planning. He and his wife Deborah live in Alexandria, VA.