CONSERVANCY News and Activities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 26, 2010
Conservancy Announces First Educational Owl in Howard County
The Howard County Conservancy announces the first owl housed in Howard County for educational programs. The Conservancy, Howard County’s only environmental education center, spent the last two years developing programs, building an owl enclosure and completing federal and state permits to house an owl for educational programs. The owl arrived at the Conservancy on Friday, January 15 from a rehab center in Northern Virginia. It is a barred owl with injured wings and is certified non- releasable by a veterinarian.
The owl will be a part of kindergarten and fourth grade field trips at the Conservancy as well as many public programs. An in-school program will be developed in the coming year. Programs will focus owl evolution and adaptations as well as threats to owl populations.
A naming contest is underway on the Conservancy’s facebook page. Visit the Conservancy’s website for a link to our facebook page – www.hcconservancy.org.
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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Howard County’s Newest Arboretum
Contact: Steve Parker, Chairperson, Howard County Conservancy District Board P. O. Box 819, Clarksville, MD 21029 410-313-7266 or email SParker@howardcountymd.gov http://www.hcforest.sailorsite.net
The Howard County Forest Conservancy District Board (HCFCDB) announces the opening of its newest arboretum located in Woodstock, Maryland. In partnership with the Howard County Conservancy, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 11 am, located on the grounds of the Howard County Conservancy. HCFCDB’s mission is to promote the stewardship, conservation, management and use of Maryland’s forest resources, both urban and rural. This arboretum is the ninth arboretum developed by HCFCDB. Other arboretums are located at Wilde Lake, Jackson Pond, Cobbs Creek, Howard County Office Complex in Ellicott City, Guilford Park, Centennial Park, Harwood Park and Lake Elkhorn.
HCFCDB approached the Howard County Conservancy about the possibility of creating a new arboretum in the Woodstock area on conservancy property. HCFCDB board members surveyed the property, selected a site with the greatest diversity of tree species, and developed an arboretum plan, which includes nearby signs identifying the trees.
In addition to the ribbon cutting ceremony, the HCFCDB will conduct its first walking tour of the arboretum. Light refreshments will be served and participants may enter a drawing to win one of 20 third generation, Wye Oak seedlings. HCFCDB Activity/Coloring Books identifying the top ten trees in Howard County will also be available for child participants.
Howard County champion trees will be identified during the ceremony. Howard County now has 23 new champion trees identified in 2009, totaling 78 champion trees. Howard County is also the new national champion of the Bigleaf Magnolia tree, with a 12 foot, one inch circumference, 55 feet tall, with a spread of 53 feet, which is located in West Friendship. The former national champion was on the historical Biltmore House in North Carolina. Trees are identified as “champions” based on height, crown width and circumference of the trunk. Trees may be nominated for inclusion in 2010 champion trees at http://www.hcforest.sailorsite.net/Champions/champs2.html.
The opening will be on Saturday, October 17, at 11:00 am. Light refreshments will be served with a chance also to win a third generation Wye Oak seedling (twenty will be given away).
Funding for this new arboretum was possible through a grant from Howard County Government and our partnership with the Howard County Conservancy.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 6, 2009
New Community Garden to Open at the Howard County Conservancy!
An exciting new program will break ground this spring at the Howard County Conservancy. A community garden will provide the opportunity for residents to plant their own gardens. There are 63 plots available for rent for $40, each plot is 20’ x 25’. The gardens will include a pollinator garden to attract beneficial insects and wildlife. Deer fencing, water and compost bins will be provided. Gardens will be pesticide free and Bay Wise gardening techniques will be encouraged. Workshops and lectures of interest to gardeners will also be provided. The community garden program aligns with the Conservancy’s mission to preserve the agricultural resources of the county. Community gardens empower individuals, knit together a stronger community, beautify local areas, and produce clean and nutritious food. The gardens will provide another opportunity for the local community to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Conservancy and meet the demand for garden sites in our county. Residents can sign-up to participate in the community garden by contacting the Garden Manager, Rita Hamlet at garden@hcconservancy.org or by calling the Conservancy at (410) 465-8877. A Gardener Orientation will be held at the Conservancy’s Gudelsky Education Building on March 21st at 10:00.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 4, 2008
Hodgepodge Lodge Restored - Outdoor set of beloved MPT children’s nature program refurbished and relocated to Howard County Conservancy
Production of Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) syndicated Hodgepodge Lodge may have ended in the 1970s, but adults from coast to coast remember it—and its modest star, “Miss Jean” Worthley—like it was only yesterday. The naturalist, author and educational television pioneer introduced elementary age children to wild animals in a calm setting—a small “lodge” nestled amongst the trees on the picturesque grounds of MPT in Owings Mills, Maryland. Through countless storms, extreme temperatures and more than 30 years of seasonal changes, that lodge sat in the very same spot, undisturbed. And despite its much-loved history, fell into disrepair. Until now. The Hodgepodge cabin has been renovated and relocated to the grounds of the Howard County Conservancy. Now located in a place that beckons hiking and outdoor exploration, children and families will be able to visit the historical lodge after viewing highlights of the show in the Conservancy’s Gudelsky Environmental Education Center.
Join MPT, Howard County Conservancy and the much-loved “Miss Jean” Saturday, October 4 at 3p.m. for the dedication of the historic Hodgepodge Lodge at the conservancy’s annual Fall Festival. The festival features farm animals, hikes, children’s crafts, farm history tours, a native plant sale, refreshments provided by My Organic Market, and demonstrations by the Howard County Blacksmith Guild as well as the Howard County Beekeepers.
The Howard County Conservancy is a non-profit environment education center and land trust located at 10520 Old Frederick Road in Woodstock, Maryland. For more information on the Howard County Conservancy, call (410) 465-8877 or visit www.hcconservancy.org. For more information on MPT, visit mpt.org. ###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 29, 2008
CONSERVANCY OPENS NEW SOLAR ENERGY EXHIBIT
Visitors to the Howard County Conservancy, the county’s only environmental education center, will now be able to see solar energy in action with the opening today of a new exhibit that will also reduce the organization’s energy costs. The new Solar Energy Exhibit (SEE), officially opened by Howard County Executive Ken Ulman during the Conservancy’s annual Wine in the Garden party, is the result of a donation by Chesapeake Solar, LLC, Maryland’s leading integrator of solar energy systems, with contributions from Clean Energy, groSolar, Fat Spaniel Technologies and Echo Electric.
“This donation by Chesapeake Solar is a positive example of how, working together, we can protect the environment,” said County Executive Ulman. “This exhibit makes it possible for thousands of children, the future of our county, to better understand how solar energy works. Through educational initiatives such as this they will be much better prepared to make environmentally sound decisions about energy usage in the years ahead.” “Chesapeake Solar, like the Conservancy, is dedicated to the preservation of our environment,” said Richard E. Deutschmann, chief executive officer and one of the founding partners of the company. “One of the best ways to do this is to make greater use of the abundant, clean, renewable energy sources available to us. We hope this exhibit will educate and inspire students and other visitors to work toward a clean energy future.”
SEE features a demonstration solar photovoltaic (PV) system that represents the main type of solar technology that is being used to power homes and businesses today. Consisting of twelve 165-watt panels that combine to make a 1.98-kilowatt system, it is installed on the roof of the historic Bank Barn at the Conservancy where it collects rays from the sun to generate electricity. The system works by capturing energy when sunshine hits the solar panels. The DC power from the panels then flows to an inverter, which converts it into a usable form before connecting directly to the building’s electrical panel. This system will reduce the Conservancy’s energy bills for decades and will help to offset greenhouse gas emissions by replacing a portion of their grid-provided energy usage. “PV systems produce the most amount of energy when they have the most sun exposure, so the location of this system on the Bank Barn facing the southern sky will maximize its efficiency,” Deutschmann explained. “Whenever a light or a computer is turned on in the Gudelsky Center at the Conservancy, part of the electricity will come from solar energy. Also, if the system produces more energy than what is needed at the Conservancy at any given time, the excess energy will be sent back to the utility grid and the meter will actually spin backwards.” A display in the Gudelsky Center will enable visitors to see how much energy the system is producing.
“We are extremely excited about this addition to the Conservancy,” said Meg Schumacher, executive director. “In addition to serving as an educational tool, SEE will provide clean energy, producing no carbon emissions, waste products, or noise pollution. Considering our mission to preserve the environment, solar energy is a smart solution for our energy production!”
About the Howard County Conservancy: The Conservancy is the county’s only environmental education center and largest land trust. In addition to preserving land through conservation easements, the Conservancy manages the 232-acre Mt. Pleasant Farm in Woodstock, Maryland, where its headquarters are located. For more information call 410-465-8877 or visit www.hcconservancy.org.
About Chesapeake Solar, LLC: Chesapeake Solar, Maryland’s leading integrator of solar energy systems, has been instrumental in bringing solar energy to the mid-Atlantic region. Since its founding in 1999, the company has designed and installed more than 250 solar energy systems, both residential and commercial. An industry leader in public policy activities regarding renewable energy, Chesapeake Solar is headquartered in the EnviroCenter in Jessup, Md., an executive office and training center developed using sustainable design. The center features examples of green building practices with a highlight on the solar heating and solar electric systems installed by the company. For more information about Chesapeake Solar, go to www.chesapeakesolar.net.
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For immediate release May 2, 2008
HOWARD COUNTY CONSERVANCY DESIGNATED AS FIRST MARYLAND GREEN CENTER IN HOWARD COUNTY
The Howard County Conservancy has been named first Maryland Green Center in Howard County by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE). This designation recognizes the Conservancy as a model for conservation and environmental best management practices; a provider of high quality environmental education, and a supporter of the Maryland Green School Awards Program. The Maryland Green Center Awards Ceremony takes place May 29th at 1 pm at the Community Colleges of Baltimore County, Catonsville Campus.
Model of Conservation and Environmental Best Management Practices Environmental Best Management Practices in construction of the Conservancy’s Gudelsky Environmental Education Center required the use of low energy options for heating, cooling and lighting. In designing and building the environmental center, passive solar elements were incorporated such as building orientation, window design, size and location for passive solar gain and high levels of insulation. All classrooms and offices have ample windows for daytime lighting. Roofing materials and color were selected based on limiting heating and cooling costs.
A light colored limestone driveway was put in place instead of macadam to reduce the thermal island effect generated by black macadam roads. Most of the buildings at the Conservancy are shaded by trees to keep the cooling needs low. Evaluation of the potential for geothermal energy use on the facility via groundwater heat pumps is underway.
Green elements inside the building include bamboo floors in the great room, a sustainable grass product which regenerates without replanting. Local quarried fieldstone was used in the foyer and retention walls which reduce manufacturing and transportation costs and energy. The recycled fiber carpet in the Gift Shop and Offices is made from100% post-production recycled fiber and is from an environmentally recognized flooring manufacturer. The recycled tire floors in the lower hallway and lab are a 100% post consumer recycled product which contributes to waste reduction and reduced energy consumption in the manufacturing. Vinyl composite tiles found in the bathroom and kitchen are composed of 85% limestone and 15% post-industrial recycled vinyl content. No VOC paints were used in any part of the building. The exterior siding is constructed of Hardiplank, is a fiber cement siding made from cement and sawdust that is guaranteed for 50 years which reduces maintenance, replacement costs and material resource consumption. The Conservancy also worked to reduce the new building’s impact on the surrounding environment. The Gudelsky Center was built on the existing footprint of the bank barn foundation. Five bio-ponds, landscaped with native plants, are integrated into the landscape surrounding the Center to reduce run-off. A light color roofing shingle was selected to reduce the heat island effect of the building. The center is run as a “dark sky” facility. To minimize light pollution, all exterior lights cast downward and minimal exterior lights were installed in the parking area.
Extensive habitat restoration has taken place around the Gudelsky Environmental Center and the 232 acres managed by the Conservancy. Bio-retention areas for storm water management were created with native plants. Areas disturbed by the 2005-06 construction were planted with native plants to absorb run-off from the building, parking lot and garden area. All landscaping around the education center is made up of native plants. To stabilize newly cut riparian slopes, locally adapted native plants were used. As the largest land trust in Howard County, the Conservancy has protected more than 1,200 acres of property including farmland, natural resources, scenic views and historic features in Howard County. The Conservancy works to conserve land in the county by providing information to property owners and accepting donated easements. Easements prohibit more intensive land uses such as commercial, industrial, high-density residential developments. Agricultural and natural uses are encouraged. The Conservancy works with the Maryland Environmental Trust in our efforts to preserve land in Howard County.
Provider of High Quality Environmental Education The Howard County Conservancy extends environmental learning into the community through a variety of projects and programs that address local environmental issues. Each year more than five thousand students participate in programs at the Conservancy such as school field trips, service learning projects, scout activities, and summer camps. The Conservancy provides volunteer opportunities, naturalist training, guided and self-guided nature hikes, Bay-wise gardening, and birding. The Conservancy fulfills its mission through many active community partnerships and an extensive network of volunteers. The Conservancy offers numerous year-round educational programs for adults and children and hosts several internationally recognized guest speakers, authors and naturalist photographers each year. In February 2007, the Conservancy and twelve community partners hosted a presentation by Richard Louv, author, Last Child in the Woods. Louv’s message on nature deficit disorder resonated throughout the community with more than 500 people attending his lecture. This year we had a full schedule of community events including the American Conservation Film Festival; a slide presentation on Pools of Spring: The Amphibian Awakening by National Geographic photographer George Grall; Scott Weidensaul, author of Return to Wild America and Wil Hershberger, naturalist and author of Insect Sounds.
Supporter of the Maryland Green School Awards Program.
In addition to providing Howard County schools environmental education opportunities, the Howard County Conservancy has begun to serve as a champion of the Maryland Green School Awards Program and held its first Maryland Green School Meeting in 2007. The Conservancy has brought together environmental education leaders from the Howard County Public School System, Howard County Recreation and Parks, Conservancy Naturalists and Master Gardeners to support Maryland Green School collaboration. The Conservancy is the county’s largest land trust, the only environmental education center and now the first Maryland Green Center in Howard County. For further information call 410-465-8877 or visit www.hcconservancy.org.
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