Thursday, July 2, 2009
Posted by chris on June 9, 2009
Survey Categories:
Critical Area Concerns • Low Impact & Sustainable Development
Climate Change • Pollution of Waterways • Environmental Education
Protect & Restore Native Species
Posted by hester on June 7, 2009
Polluters are lobbying hard to weaken the ‘Cap & Trade Climate Change Initiative’ bill, in ways that will waste our best chance for a clean energy economy. Congress claims they aren’t hearing enough from us!!! Let’s tell them how we feel-we have only two weeks!!!
Come join your neighbors at a special power point presentation on the original bill, the bill’s current status, and how we can make our voices heard over the special interests’ lobbyists’ voices.
DATE: Monday, June 8
TIME: 6:30-8:00pm
WHERE: Charlotte Hall Library Meeting Room
WHAT: Update & Take-Action Meeting on the Waxman-Markey bill (a.k.a. the Cap & Trade Climate Change Initiative).
At this moment, we have an opportunity to help our country make great strides in curbing global warming with this unprecedented bill that is now being debated on the house floor. It is under attack by special interests (big polluters) as it struggles to survive. By July it will all be over. Learn the latest status of the bill’s progress, plus join in a letter & fax-writing campaign to support the bill’s passage in congress. If we do nothing, we go backwards, and none of us can afford that.
INFORMATION: Gretchen: 301-475-2128 -or- Pat: 301-994-3994
WE MUST ACT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by hester on June 2, 2009
14, June 2009
Help Save the Native and Endangered Plants in Chapman State Park! Sunday, June 14, 10-5 p.m. · All day: o Learn about Native and Invasive Plants via Educational Displays o Help Remove Invasive Plants that Threaten the Native and Endangered Species · 1 pm Invasive and Native Plant Lecture · 3 pm Guided Nature Walk Through Chapman State Park Directions: Chapman’s Landing Road , off Route 210 ( 3452 Ferry Road ) Information: 301-753-6754, event day 301-518-2708 Hosted by Friends of Chapman State Park FREE EVENT
Posted by hester on June 1, 2009
The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin Presents
The 2009 Potomac River Ramble - June 24 - 28
The Potomac River Rambles are a series of multi-day canoeing and Kayaking expeditions that feature environmental programming, riverside camping, restoration projects, festive meals, meetings with elected officials, and much more. Novice and experienced paddlers alike enjoy a unique on-the-water experience that builds a strong environmental ethic, while having a lot of fun in the process. The Rambles aim to elevate awareness of the Potomac River’s importance to the region and to encourage local residents to plan an active role in its restoration. Experience with boats is not necessary. Ramblers are responsible for their clothing, canoeing, and camping gear. Campsites will have water and potable toilets. We take care of the guides, food, and transportation of your gear from campsite to campsite. You enjoy the scenery, presentations, music, food, camaraderie and paddling.Monocacy/Potomac River Ramble
This year’s Ramble will feature the Monacacy Scenic River from the city of Frederick, MD through the Monocacy Aqueduct and down the Potomac, ending at the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area. This year we have some great programs in store, including: Studying aquatic invaders with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Hood College Biology Department; Examining the inter-sex smallmouth bass problem in the Potomac with the U.S. Geological Survey; Interpretive programs at the Monocacy National Battlefield Park; and Amphibian and wetland surveys with the ICPRB and Montgomery County DEP biologists.
2009 Potomac River Ramble Itinerary
Wednesday, June 24 Meet at Pinecliff Park, Frederick, MD. Evening Registration
Thursday, June 25 Monocacy - Pinecliff Park to Buckeystown Park
Friday, June 26 Buckeystown Park to the Monocacy Aqueduct
Saturday, June 27 Potomac - Mouth of Monocacy to Ball’s Bluff Park
Sunday, June 28 Ball’s Bluff Park to McKee-Beshers WMA (Return Shuttle)
Registration Deadline - June 12, 2009
Fees:
Adults $220.00
$55.00 per day
Children under 12
$180.00 $45.00 per day
Fees include meals, programs, shuttle and guide services. Boat rental, if needed, is NOT included.
For Information - Contact Coordinator: Adam Griggs at 301-984-1908 x 103 or agriggs@icprb.org for availability, reduced rates for groups, or to volunteer as a safety boater.
Posted by hester on May 14, 2009
On Saturday, June 13, 2009, from 3:00 PM -7:00 PM, you are invited to an afternoon of fine wine, music and food in the beautiful gardens of Summerseat Farm. The cost is $10.00 per person and includes a commemorative wine glass and wine tasting by Guenther’s Fine Wine and Spirits. Food will be available for purchase from the Seventh District Optimist Club. Summerset Farm is located at 26655 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville. Phone - 301-373-6607; Website - www.summerseat.org
Posted by hester on May 8, 2009
Enjoy an old-fashioned picnic with your family and friends. Bring your blanket and picnic basket for a relaxing afternoon in the natural beauty of picturesque Summerseat Farm, 26655 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville. Saturday, June 6, 2009 - 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Educational Programs, 120 Acres to Explore, Manor House Tours, Vineyard, Gardens and Farm Animals.
This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Activities will be modified in the event of inclement weather. Cold beverages will be available for purchase. For additional information: 301-373-6607, www.summerseat.org
Posted by chris on April 29, 2009
Searching for farm fresh produce and want to find it locally? The 2009 - 10 So Maryland, So Good Farmers’ Market Guide is now available through the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC). The guide lists the locations of regional Farmers’ Markets in the Southern Maryland and metro-Washington DC area that offer the finest and freshest products from Southern Maryland farms. The user friendly guide provides market contact information by county (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s and DC Metro) as well as hours of operation, individual Web sites and the dates of special market events and Customer Appreciation days. A handy fold out map makes it easy to pin-point the exact location of each market and a regional harvesting chart shows you when your seasonal favorites will be available at their most delicious peak. For restaurants, stores and brokers seeking local produce, the guide also includes the locations of the region’s two wholesale produce auction sites. To view or download the Farmers’ Market Guide, visit www.somarylandsogood.com or call (301) 274-1922 for a list of pick-up sites.
Not all produce that is marketed as ‘local’ is truly locally grown. In these environmentally conscious times look for the So Maryland So Good logo at a farmers’ market in
your neighborhood to be certain of Southern Maryland home-grown freshness, and do your part to reduce the carbon foot print by minimizing the distance your food travels to your plate. Southern Maryland’s markets offer a wide range of produce year round and many more farm raised products including cut flowers and potted plants, fresh eggs, local honey, jellies, jams and baked goods. A trip to a farmers’ market makes a wonderful family outing and is a great way to teach children about healthy eating habits, farm fresh foods and how important farms are to the environment.
The Farmer’s Market Guide is one of many resources created by SMADC in support of regional agriculture to assist local farm-based businesses in their continued growth and commercial viability. A related effort is the upcoming state-wide Buy Local Challenge Week (July 18 - 26). Marylanders are challenged to pledge to eat at least one locally grown item per day for a week. To participate in the Buy Local Challenge, simply visit www.buy-local-challenge.com for more information and links to local farms, farmers markets, menu ideas and shopping tips, and special Buy Local Challenge Week events. Check back regularly as the Buy Local Challenge Web site is being updated so that you can post your own BLC event.
Reasons to Buy Local:
The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission was established to promote diverse, market-driven agricultural enterprises, which coupled with agricultural land preservation, will preserve Southern Maryland’s environmental resources and rural character while keeping the region’s farmland productive and the agricultural economy vibrant.
To find out more about the guide or to learn more about additional programs and resources, contact SMADC, P. O. Box 745, Hughesville, MD 20637; phone: 301-274-1922; fax: 301-274-1924; email cbergmark@somarylandsogood.com; or visit these websites: www.somdtrails.com or www.somarylandsogood.com .
Posted by hester on April 23, 2009
A note from Harry Dalton: If anyone sees a honeybee swarm, please, call me and I will come and get it. Honeybees need all the help they can get these days as their numbers have dropped sharply with many causes cited.
Please do not disturb or spray!!! Please keep children and pets away!!
From now till late June or July honeybees will be swarming. They are in decline and they pollinate our food crops among other things, I’m trying to save as many as I can, the honeybees and myself thank you, Harry Dalton, Hollywood, Maryland. Please call Harry at 301-475-8224.
If you have any questions, e-mail apiaries@olg.com (they can be on the side of a building also)
Posted by hester on April 22, 2009
As part of the Attorney General’s audit of the Chesapeake Bayand its tributaries, Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler will visit the St. Mary’s River on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. The St. Mary’s River will be the Attorney General’s fifth stop on his statewide tour of the
Chesapeake Bay Watershed and the first river audit for 2009.
Attorney General Gansler will spend the day in Leonardtown and St. Mary’s City to hear firsthand from local environmental leaders, residents, students, faculty members, and elected officials about the challenges facing the St. Mary’s River. Protecting the environment and holding polluters ccountable is the Attorney General’s top priority. The information gathered during the audits of individual rivers provides valuable information in identifying polluters and problems faced. This information is essential in the Attorney General’s efforts to enforce the laws and assists in designing creative solutions to environmental issues.
As part of the Audit, Attorney General Gansler will take a boat trip on the St. Mary’s River. The St. Mary’s River Audit visit will conclude with a Town Hall Meeting at St. Mary’s College of Maryland at 5:00 p.m. in Cole Cinema in the Campus Center, located at 18952 E. Fisher Road, St. Mary’s City, MD 20686. The public is invited to attend the Town Hall meeting. This is an opportunity for citizens to share their concerns about the health of the St. Mary’s River and any other environmental issues in the community.
Posted by hester on April 20, 2009
Free Family Fun. In an economic downturn, many people turn to simpler times - looking for ways to cut back on spending. So where does one turn when looking for a fun and easy-on-the-wallet adventure? How about the great outdoors! One such place to visit is The American Chestnut Land Trust that is hosting its annual Family Day Celebration on Sunday, May 3rd from 1 - 4pm on Double Oak Farm in Prince Frederick, MD. (676 Double Oak Road)
Since its beginning, ACLT’s Family Day has been a free event to celebrate the trees, water, birds, bees, and everything about nature that makes Parkers Creek and the surrounding ACLT preserved area such a special place to enjoy and explore.
This year’s event champions local author Jennifer Curtis and her newest book, Osprey Adventure in which a boy and his biologist father save an osprey from certain death after it becomes accidentally entangled in fishing line. Other festivities include a fossil hunt and display, tractor hayride, guided hike, scavenger hunt, Reifsnyder Bees, face painting, a live terrapin and corn snake, a geocaching activity, arts and crafts, plus much more.
Cleary Catering of Dunkirk will also be in attendance with their ice cream truck for purchase of tasty refreshments during the afternoon.
The mission of the American Chestnut Land Trust is to promote land conservation throughout Calvert County, MD, to provide environmentally sustainable public access to preserved properties for educational, scientific, recreational, and cultural purposes, and to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Parkers Creek and Governors Run watersheds for the benefit of this and future generations.
The American Chestnut Land Trust also maintains 15 miles of hiking trails open to the public year-round as well as sponsors canoe and kayak trips up Parkers Creek.
For more information visit www.acltweb.org or call 410-414-3400.
