Restoration of the Virginia Mallow (Virginia, a critically imperiled species)
Tom Dombrowski
Prince William County Environmental Management
Woodbridge, VA
Prince William County Environmental Management proposes to purchase the entire stock (572 plants) of Virginia Mallow (Ripariosida hermaphrodita) from Earth Sangha, a native plant nursery in Fairfax Virginia. This quantity is requested because the more species are used in an area, the higher chance of long-term establishment and increased environmental benefits such as soil stability, increase biodiversity and the establishment of a Virginia rare plant.
Virginia Sida is a state rare riparian perennial and, in Virginia, it is classified as a S1 or critically imperiled species. Overall species decline is due to urbanization, changes in native habitat, and human practices such as mowing and herbicide use. We intend to plant these Virginia Mallow at our completed living shoreline project within Leesylvania State Park. This site has an ideal habitat of sandy, rocky shorelines and has been restored to a native habitat. Additionally, this site is on the Potomac River where Virginia Sida has been recorded growing in Fairfax County. This site is no longer disturbed by human intrusion; therefore, any plants used in this area will not be threatened in the future by the greater impact of humans.
Virginia Sida will provide many benefits to the living shoreline such as increased shoreline stability, sequestration of excess nutrients, and increased biodiversity. This species has a complex root system to survive in flooded areas which provides extra bank support in locations where other species cannot grow. Additionally, planting this species will increase the native biodiversity in the area, provide a food source for pollinators, and help increase the population of an imperiled species.
This project will be an outstanding educational opportunity for the County residents in the planting and monitoring of the growth and survival of this plant.
About Tom Dombrowski
Thomas E. Dombrowski is a Senior Environmental Analyst with Prince William County Department of Public Works Watershed Branch. He currently is the County Wetland/Stream/EA Specialist.
Mr. Dombrowski is the County Stream Restoration Program Manager, responsible for the Preliminary Engineering of project design, plan review, permitting, secures grant funding for project construction and project manager of construction of the many Public Works stream restoration projects.
Mr. Dombrowski is the County Liaison to the Prince William County Tidal Wetlands Board and the lead in tidal wetland regulatory/permitting and enforcement process.
Mr. Tom Dombrowski is the leader in the development of innovative projects. Tom is the project manager of the first living shoreline project constructed in Northern Virginia at Leesylvania State Park and the Manager of the new freshwater mussel restoration program.