One of GVC's core missions is to protect and restore streams. You can help us fulfill this mission by adopting a stream through our Stream Watch program.
What is the Stream Watch program?
Volunteers adopt quarter mile sections of streams and commit to cleaning and monitoring them three or four times a year. We'll train you and track the data that you report back. This program benefits the community by cleaning our streams and identifying problems with streams so they can be resolved by the proper authorities.
Who do I contact to adopt a stream?
Contact Peggy Perry, the Program Director of Education and Restoration by phone at 410-668-0118 or by email at little-owl at msn dot com to volunteer or to schedule a Stream Watch presentation for your local community organization.
What streams can I adopt throught the Stream Watch program?
We are focusing our efforts on the Loveton/Hunt Valley SWAP (Small Watershed Action Plan) area. We have identified 12 priority stream reaches (sections) that are ready for adoption. However, groups can also adopt any stream in the Gunpowder watershed. If there there is a stream near where you live or work that you or your community group would like to adopt, please contact us and we will work with you to get your stream into the program.
Here is a map of the Loveton/Hunt Valley Swap area which shows the location of the 12 priority stream reaches:
Here are maps of the 12 priority stream reaches:
1. Mays Chapel Village
Download watersheds_and_imagery__mays_chapel_village_da.pdf
2. Cockeysville Road Industrial Park
Download watersheds_and_imagery_cockeysville_road_industrial_park.pdf
3. Dun Rovin
Download watersheds_and_imagery_dun_rovin_da.pdf
4. Greentop Manor
Download watersheds_and_imagery_greentop_manor.pdf
5. Loveton Business Center
Download watersheds_and_imagery_loveton_business_center_da.pdf
6. Loveton Farms
Download watersheds_and_imagery_loveton_farms.pdf
7. Mays Chapel
Download watersheds_and_imagery_mays_chapel_da.pdf
8. Mays Chapel North
Download watersheds_and_imagery_mays_chapel_north_da.pdf
9. Pebblecreek
Download watersheds_and_imagery_pebblecreek_da.pdf
10. Sherwood Episcopal Church
Download watersheds_and_imagery_sherwood_episcopal_church_da.pdf
11. Sherwood Hills
Download watersheds_and_imagery_sherwood_hills_da.pdf
12. Springdale
Download watersheds_and_imagery_springdale_da.pdf
Can I do macroinvertebrate sampling through the Stream Watch program?
We are not including macroinvertebrate sampling in 2009, although we do plan to add it in future years. However, you can do this type of sampling now by volunteering for the Stream Waders program. Stream Waders volunteers help the Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) collect data about our streams throughout the state of Maryland. In the spring of 2010 we hope to collect macroinvertebrate samples in the Gunpowder Watershed through the Stream Waders program. Click on the Stream Waders link for more information about how to volunteer.
