About FoCJC

Friends of Cabin John Creek, Inc. (FoCJC) is a non-profit volunteer citizen group dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and stewardship of the Cabin John Creek watershed.

About the Watershed

The Cabin John Creek Watershed is 25 square miles of heavily urbanized land (90% residential/commercial) with its centerpiece being the county's 520 acre Cabin John Stream Valley Park containing the Cabin John Creek and the Cabin John Stream Valley Trail.

Electric Trolley Power Station

The rubble stone building at the Bradley Blvd trailhead provided power to the trolleys of the 1910s.

Gibson Grove Church

Look across Seven Locks Road and you will see the wood facade of the Gibson Grove A.M.E Zion Church, associated with the African American settlement of Gibson Grove founded in the 1880s by former slaves.

Hidden Creek Critters

There are tiny critters on the bottom of the creek! Larvae for various flies and beetles are critical for the biodiversity and survival of our watershed.

Invasives

We have many invasive plants in the watershed including english ivy, garlic mustard, multiflora rose, japanese honeysuckle, …

Kingfisher

What’s all that chattering* about? It is most likely the Belted Kingfisher with its beautiful crest diving and darting along the creek.

Magruder's Blacksmith Shop

At the corner of River Road and Seven Locks Road you see a privately owned rubble stone cottage, one of the oldest standing structures in Montgomery County.

Native Plants

Cabin John Creek Stream Valley Park has been designated by Montgomery County parks as both a “Biodiversity Area'' and “Best Natural Area” for its combination of native flora and scenery.

Scotland Community

The Scotland Community, an historic African American enclave, is on the other side of the creek along Seven Locks Road.

So Many Birds!

The Cabin John Creek provides critical habitat for numerous species of birds, both resident and migratory.

Stormwater

Our #1 issue: The 25 square miles of the Cabin John Creek Watershed is 90% urbanized which means lots of roofs, pavement and golf courses where trees used to be.

The Mighty Sycamore

When it has room to spread out, the Sycamore tree has massive, heavy spreading branches.

Trees

While much, if not all, of the forests of Cabin John Creek Stream Valley Park have been cut over several times in the last few centuries, they have now been given nearly a century of protection and you can find some impressive specimens in the park.

What's in the Water?

Although relatively poor stream health of Cabin John Creek means that diversity is lower than it should be, the creek nonetheless provides a home for a variety of aquatic species.

Who's Cutting Down that Tree?

Take a look in the creek and you will see the busy work of the beaver that is making this forested wetland his home.

Wildlife

Cabin John Creek Stream Valley Park is home to a good variety of terrestrial wildlife, including mammals, reptiles and amphibians, as well as numerous species of insects.