Join Jim Rose Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. for “Cool Trees,” the Howard County Conservancy’s September Wonder Walk. For more information, call 410-465-8877, or go to www.hcconservancy.org. The Conservancy resides on the site of the old Mt. Pleasant Farm, located at 10520 Old Frederick Road/Route 99, in Woodstock.
The Howard County Conservancy offers several fun events this month. On July 11 at 10 a.m., join Kathy Grall for a free Wonder Walk as she talks about “What’s the Buzz? Blooms, Bees, and Bug Pollinators.” Observe different pollinators at work on wild milkweed flowers and learn why some perform better than others, but all remain vital.
On July 16, pack a picnic dinner, load the family into the car with a blanket or chairs, and come on out to the popular “Fiddlers & Fireflies” program, from 6-9 p.m. The string section of St. John’s Parish Day School will begin the outdoor performance, and then musician Steve Hickman will entertain as he fiddles and dances with the fireflies. Children may also construct a firefly craft while learning interesting facts about fireflies.
The Conservancy next hosts a Master Gardener presentation about heirloom vegetables at 10 a.m. on July 18. This event costs $2 at the door.
To register for any Conservancy event, e-mail hcconservancy@hcconservancy.org or call 410-465-8877. Go to www.hcconservancy.org to learn more.
The Howard County Conservancy, located at 10520 Old Frederick Road in Woodstock, seeks drop-in gardeners (all skill levels welcome) on Wednesday mornings to help maintain the property’s many thematic and native gardens.
For more information, call Chris Garbart at 410-465-8877. The Conservancy Web site is www.hcconservancy.org.
This month the Howard County Conservancy presents two special activities. On June 13, take a Wonder Walk with Christa Partain, Senior Horticulturist with the National Aquarium, as she teaches about Invasive Plants: What to Watch out for in Your Yard. The walk, which is free, begins at 10 a.m.
On June 20, the Conservancy offers a Master Gardener presentation on Integrated Pest Management. The talk begins at 10 a.m. and costs $2 at the door.
The Conservancy address is 10520 Old Frederick Road (Route 99) in Woodstock. Call 410-465-8877 for more information, or go to www.hcconservancy.org.
The Howard County Conservancy, the first Maryland Green Center in the county, proudly announces the addition of nine new Green Schools in Howard County: Atholton Elementary, Centennial Lane Elementary, Dayton Oaks Elementary, Deep Run Elementary, Forest Ridge Elementary, Glenelg Country School, Glenwood Middle, Hollifield Station Elementary, and Longfellow Elementary. Additionally, Hammond Elementary has received its first recertification.
Existing Howard County Green Schools include Dunloggin Middle, Hammond Middle, Lime Kiln Middle, Reservoir High, River Hill High, St. John’s Parish Day School, Triadelphia Ridge Elementary, and West Friendship Elementary.
Since 1999, the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education has awarded Green School status to public and private schools, pre-K through grade 12, that pass a rigorous application process demonstrating their commitment to environmental curriculum and sustainability. Schools must apply for recertification every three years.
MAEOE recognizes as Green Centers those organizations that support community environmental learning, demonstrate environmental ‘best management practices,’ and help local schools achieve Green School status. The Howard County Conservancy, in conjunction with the Howard County Public School System, Howard County Recreation and Parks, and Howard County Master Gardeners, has guided the newly designated Green Schools in their certification efforts.
Congratulations to the new Green Schools on their hard-earned achievement!
Last year, after losing several large trees in my yard, I decided to take advantage of the somewhat sunnier spot to create an edible garden. After carefully researching fruits, vegetables and herbs that would tolerate the less-than-ideal lighting and soil conditions, I tackled the biggest hurdle of all: how to deter deer from enjoying my new, all-you-can-eat salad bar. The garden now boasts an extremely unattractive yet effective seven-foot high fence. However, had I waited until this year, I would now have a better option.
The Howard County Conservancy plans to break ground this spring on an exciting new Community Garden composed of 63 individual plots. Each plot costs $40 to rent, measures 20-by-25-feet, and includes deer fencing, water, compost bins, and a nearby pollinator garden to attract beneficial insects. HCC encourages Bay-wise gardening techniques and insists that all gardens remain pesticide-free; it also plans to offer workshops and lectures of interest to gardeners.
The Howard County Master Gardeners will assist the Conservancy in maintaining the pollinator garden and in designing a new children’s vegetable garden. The group will continue to perform monthly composting demonstrations.
Gardens provide wonderful opportunities for us to minimize our ecological footprint, grow healthy food and beautiful flowers, teach our children about agriculture, and gain some valuable exercise. Located at historic Mt. Pleasant Farm, 10520 Old Frederick Road in Woodstock, the HCC Community Garden will also provide a scenic location in which to commune with nature and like-minded residents.
To reserve your garden plot, e-mail Garden Manager Rita Hamlet at garden@hcconservancy.org or call 410-465-8877.
During the month of May, the Howard County Conservancy offers a variety of events designed to appeal to a broad range of interests.
Art lovers can enjoy viewing “Touched by Nature: A Watercolor Exhibit” taking place now until May 11. The Conservancy will host a reception for the artists - the students of Sunburst Studio - Sunday, May 3, from 3-5 p.m.
Birdwatchers can participate in the National Bird Count on May 9, officially designated “International Migratory Bird Day.” Join Robin Todd at 10 a.m., rain or shine, as he locates birds of various species during the peak of their spring migration. The aggregate data from birders across North America provides valuable information about long-term trends in bird populations and unites the continent in a celebration of our feathered friends.
For wine connoisseurs and gardeners, the Conservancy also hosts its third annual Wine in the Garden party May 28. Enjoy wine tasting, a selection of food from local caterers, and local bluegrass music while admiring the Conservancy’s garden, complete with native plants and garden elements named in honor or memory of loved ones.
Call 410-465-8877 to reserve tickets, or go to www.hcconservancy.org for more information. The address is 10520 Old Frederick Road (Route 99) in Woodstock.
The Howard County Conservancy offers Wonder Walks and Wonder Talks on the second Saturday of each month. On Saturday, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m., Wayne Esaias of the Howard County Beekeeping Club will present ‘Beekeeping for Honey,’ a lecture about honey bees, native bees, and climate changes. Additionally, bee products will be available for purchase. The Conservancy welcome families at this free event.
Howard County Conservancy resides at Mt. Pleasant Farm, 10520 Old Frederick Road in Woodstock. Call 410-465-8877 or go to www.hcconservancy.org for more information.
The Howard County Conservancy announces a ‘Focusing on Turtles’ slideshow and lecture, presented at 7 p.m. on February 21 by National Geographic photographer George Grall. Enjoy learning about a reptile which is more than 200 million years old, and view some breath-taking close-ups of Maryland turtles, sea turtles, and other species from around the world. The presentation costs $12; children younger than 12 are free. To register, call 410-465-8877 or go to www.hcconservancy.org.
The Howard County Conservancy, 10520 Old Frederick Road in Woodstock, needs Volunteer Naturalists to help conduct elementary school programs at its Gudelsky Education Center. The Naturalists will assist HCC staff during field trips and will guide a minimum of three nature hikes throughout the April to May season. Training for the position takes place on Thursdays in March, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., and costs $10 for the training manual. Participants will learn about the history, plants and wildlife of Mt. Pleasant, as well as ecological concepts.
To inquire about the training or to register, call Tabby Fique at 410-465-8877.