Gunpowder Valley Conservancy

Volunteers needed for tree-planting events on Oct. 28 and Nov. 4

GVC needs your help to plant "stream buffers" this fall. The buffers will help protect the drinking water in Loch Raven reservoir. They'll also help reduce the flow of nutrient pollutants into Chesapeake Bay and absorb some carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

Date & time: Nov. 4th, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ( Saturday )

DIRECTIONS FROM TOWSON & 695:

1. Take the Beltway (I-695) to Exit 27B (Dulaney Valley Rd., North)
2. Go about 4 miles north on Dulaney Valley Road (aka MD-146).
   
3. Cross the bridge over Loch Raven reservoir.
   
4. After the bridge, take right fork at light (staying on Dulaney Valley Rd.).
   
5. Go about 1.5 miles to Peerce's Plantation restaurant & turn left (staying on Dulaney Valley Rd.).
   
6. Go 1 mile and turn left onto Dance Mill Rd.
   
7. Go about 0.2 miles and left on Cloverland Drive.

Park on Cloverland Drive between Dance Mill Rd. and the planting site, which is about 0.2 miles up Cloverland Drive on the left.

WHO: We’re looking for volunteers who like to get their hands dirty and enjoy meeting interesting people. No experience necessary. Appropriate for all ages. Students can get credit for service learning hours.

DRESS & EQUIPMENT: Volunteers are asked to wear old clothes, gloves, and sturdy shoes or boots. If you have shovels or buckets please bring them.

"Builders for the Bay" recommends model development principles for Baltimore County

Here's the newly published "consensus document" (pdf file) that describes the principles. And here's a fact sheet on the process that Builders for the Bay used to come up with their recommendations.

Maryland expands Gunpowder Rural Legacy area -- $500k additional funding announced

Yesterday, Governor Ehrlich and Bruce Fleming* announced expansion of many Rural Legacy areas in Maryland including the Gunpowder Rural Legacy area  which is administered by the GVC. The Gunpowder R.L. area had existed east of York Road and north of Sparks. It has been expanded north toward Pennsylvania into parts of White Hall.

The Manor Rural Legacy area -- which exists within the Gunpowder watershed between Jarrettsville and Sparks -- was also expanded to the north.

Of $26 million in additional grants that were announced throughout Maryland, $500,000 is slated for the Gunpowder area.

*chairman of the Rural Legacy Advisory Committee

5th Annual "Loch Raven Cleanup" day: Sunday, October 8th at Noon

Where:

Warren Elementary School
900 Bosley Ave
Cockeysville, MD 21030

When: Sunday, October 8, 2006, 12 noon-4:00 p.m.

Three sites: We'll be cleaning up three sites on the shores of Loch Raven reservoir. For the main site, you'll be driven via shuttle to a path leading to the site (about 15 minute walk required). But if the 15 minute walk isn't suitable for your group, you can drive to one of the secondary sites which are located next to roadways.

Food:  Pizza!!  (Served after the cleanup at Warren Elementary School).

Can students get credit for "service learning hours"?: Yes!

Please bring with you: Work gloves, tough shoes/boots (tall fishing waders if you have them),  sunscreen, and insect repellant.

For more information, contact Con Manning at 410-667-0641 or conmanning@comcast.net.

GVC canoe trip at Days Cove near mouth of the Gunpowder

More photos here.