June 2018 Gunpowder Valley Conservancy Newsletter
Volunteer Opportunities - June
Our Rain Garden workshops provide local residents and students with a hands-on opportunity to learn Bay-Wise landscaping practices.
Bay-Wise Project at Baltimore County Game & Fish
The Gunpowder Valley Conservancy (GVC) is excited to announce its yearlong project with the Baltimore County Game & Fish Protective Association (BCGF). Formed in 1936, the BCGF is a member-based organization that values the conservation of wildlife and natural habitats.

With the assistance of BCGF members and Scout troops, we will install the following at their 43-acre property in Parkville:

  • 2 rain gardens (405 ft2)
  • 1 Bayscape garden (900 ft2)
  • 2 tree plantings (187 trees on 4 acres)
  • 4 rain barrels
  • 2 stream cleanups

Our Bay-Wise project will help reduce the organization's environmental impact and educate its members about stormwater best management practices. Project funding is provided by the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

You can help out too! Join us at our July 14th Bayscape workshop or July 28th Rain Barrel workshop
Clear Creeks Project Assistant Manager, Darcy Herman, explains the impact of stormwater runoff to BCGF members
Spring 2018 Reforestation News
The Gunpowder watershed is getting greener! This spring, our volunteer crews planted 463 trees on 5.75 acres. Over 300 volunteers from 24 community organizations donated their time to create newly forested areas at Hopewell Pointe HOA (Essex), Miramar Landing HOA (Middle River), Northgate Hall HOA (Perry Hall), Baltimore County Game & Fish Protective Association (Parkville), and Loch Raven Reservoir - Pine Ridge Golf Course (Timonium).

GVC's Program Director of Education & Restoration, Peggy Perry, extends a HUGE thank you to our volunteers, including our fantastic team of 15 crew chiefs. Without all of them, our Reforestation Program and success would not be possible.

Want to make a difference? We're looking for Tree Crew Chiefs to assist with our Fall tree plantings. Training will be provided. Contact Peggy Perry for more information.
Tree planting funding provided by the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, administered by Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Special thanks are also in order for our tree maintenance volunteers. Many trees have been freed from shelters and root-impinging planting tubes. Recent volunteer groups include Towson University's Equestrian Club, University of Maryland Baltimore County's Engineers Without Borders, and 28 volunteers participating in the "Big Event", Towson University's single biggest service day of the year.

But there's still work to be done! We have hundreds more shelters that are hurting trees and need to be removed. Can you spare 3 hours on a weekend morning to remove these too-tight shelters? Register online for one of our summer events. The trees will really appreciate it!
GVC Tree Maintenance volunteers working on a tree with a shelter near Loch Raven Reservoir
Healing Our Natural World
This summer, GVC is offering a deeper way to connect to Nature! We are sponsoring a 5 day workshop led by School of the Deep Heart's Anne Rice.

Healing Our Natural World
July 18 - July 22 (9 am - 5 pm)
Cromwell Valley Park - Sherwood House
2002 Cromwell Bridge Road, Parkville 21234
Cost: $750

In order to "be the change," we first need to deeply make the change in ourselves. If you feel called, join us in the beauty of Cromwell Valley park and connect with others who are ready to release mind patterns and emotional blocks to find what is most true in their hearts.

Register online HERE
Make a Difference
Your support is needed to preserve land and protect waterways. Please become a Gunpowder Valley Conservancy supporting member today. Donations are tax-deductible as the GVC is a 501c(3) non-profit organization.
The Gunpowder Valley Conservancy is seeking assistance with the September 8th Annual Celebration. To volunteer the day of the event or assist with the planning of the event, please contact Peggy Perry