Reflecting
back on this journey brings forth many wonderful accomplishments, dedicated
people and partnering organizations that have made our dreams a reality. In December of 1989, the GVC was officially
incorporated initially with a three-member board of directors: Mary Frances Shepperd; Elizabeth W. Miller;
and Edward Stuebing who was the first president, serving in that position for
six years and subsequently, as treasurer for the past 14 years. We have them to
thank for their vision and commitment to the preservation of our natural and
historic heritage for future generations.
A special thanks to the Greater Kingsville Civic Association and the
Long Green Valley Association who provided the initial funding to establish
the
GVC.
Accomplishments
in the area of land and historic preservation, education and restoration are
extensive:
- Preserved 1400 acres
within the Gunpowder watershed through conservation easements working with
- Coordinated 10 years
of major clean ups within the Gunpowder Falls State Park, extending from
Days Cove to the Hereford Area, ending in 1999 with a “mission
accomplished” from GFSP headquarters, and under the leadership of Tina
Bianca, developed a working relationship with the GFSP to expand volunteer
opportunities and promote educational programs.
- Coordinated trail
maintenance within the GFSP under the leadership of Ted Brower and
established under the leadership of Linda Eminizer an adopt-a-trail
program.
- Coordinated the
planting of 17,000 trees partnering with fellow governmental and
non-governmental organizations such as the Baltimore County Forest
Conservancy District Board, MD Dept of Natural Resources, Baltimore County
Dept of Environmental Protection and Resource Management, MD Save Our
Streams and Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, to name a few.
- Conducted and
participated in numerous educational workshops and festivals on subjects
from land and historic preservation, community greening, ecology,
geo-hydrology, storm water management systems, stream adoption through the
Stream Watch Program to “Mud Busters” - erosion and sediment control on
construction sites.
- Conducted stream
monitoring and clean ups initially with MD Save Our Streams and
- Supported the
Friends of Loch Raven, under the leadership of Paula Kurrus and Con
Manning in four annual clean ups of Loch Raven Reservoir that subsequently
have been incorporated into Project Clean Stream.
- Coordinated the
preservation of Franklinville in
All
of this would not have been possible without four essential ingredients: 1) The
dedication of the GVC board members, including Neal Carmody who was president
for the past 9 years; 2) Our volunteers - Crew Chiefs who supervise our
restoration and education programs, members and thousands of volunteers from
local schools, service clubs, scout groups, churches and partnering
organizations; 3) Our funders including private local Foundations – Abell, France Merrick, MBNA, Bunting
Foundation, and governmental organizations such as the Chesapeake Bay Trust,
Baltimore County Watershed Assistance Grants, National Fish & Wildlife
Foundation, local businesses such as Grauls Markets, REI, Baltimore Gas &
Electric, Proctor & Gamble Cosmetics AND members like you; 4) And most
importantly, the talented and experienced part-time staff - Ann Jones for land
preservation, Karen Stupski for development and Peggy Perry for education and
restoration programs.
Lastly,
I personally want to acknowledge four individuals who have played a
transitional role in our evolution: Judy Waldman and Henry Baker for their
inspiration and leadership in the development of the Gunpowder Rural Legacy
Area, Morry Wexler of the Timonium Kiwanis Club for his nurturing of the
Dulaney High School Key Club who have diligently been providing student volunteers
for tree plantings since 1994, and the late but always present Jo Owen of the
Reservoir Watershed Protection Coalition for her enthusiastic and unbending
commitment to the protection of our drinking water reservoirs for all
generations.
With
the leadership and dedication of our board, staff, crew chiefs, and continued
support from our members, volunteers and
funders, the GVC can look forward to another 20 years of increasing stewardship
of the natural and historic heritage within the Gunpowder Watershed!
Best
Wishes,
Charlie
Conklin
President
