The Maryland Native Plant Society

The Maryland Native Plant Society
  • Home
  • Conservation Stewardship Project Middle Patuxent Environmental Area

Conservation Stewardship Project Middle Patuxent Environmental Area

  • 10/25/2011
  • 9:00 AM - 11:29 AM
  • MPEA, Trotter Road entrance

Sponsoring Organizations: Howard County Recreation & Parks and Howard County Master Gardeners

Sprucing-up the Seep Area (or a Potential Planting Event)

Hundreds of native trees and shrubs have been planted by our volunteers, many in the spring seep portion of the Woodcock Habitat Management Area. The seep area was historically rich with American woodcock activity, and volunteer efforts continue there to restore proper Timberdoodle feeding cover. On this morning, we’ll assist in the upkeep of the site chiefly by removing invasive Multiflora rose and assorted vines that impact the young trees and/or anti-deer tree shelters. While on location we’ll take time to point out and reflect on the wonderful strides volunteers have made to replenish this habitat.

The Conservation Stewardship Project, a joint program of the Howard County Recreation & Parks and the Howard County Master Gardeners, targets the problem of controlling invasive, exotic species in the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area. Volunteer work dates occur monthly from March through November, skipping July & August. Each date includes an educational component concerning the target invasive species or target work area for the day.

The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA), established in 1996, encompasses 1,021 acres and contains a diversity of habitat types. There are upland and bottomland hardwood forest, fields, wetlands, ponds, and riparian habitats. The primary components of the MPEA's mission are natural resources management, education, research, and recreation.

For more information, contact Master Gardener Aylene Gard at (410) 992-9889; or Jeff Claffy, Assistant Natural Resources Manager, MPEA at (410) 313-6209 or jclaffy@howardcountymd.gov.

Driving Directions to Trotter Road entrance to MPEAt:

  • From U.S. 29 at 32: Take 32 west to the Great Star Drive exit. Turn right onto Great Star Drive. Then make a right onto Summer Sunrise. Continue to Trotter Road and make a left. Proceed about 1 mile to the parking area on the right just beyond the small traffic circle.
  • From U.S. 29 at 108: Take 108 west and continue past Centennial Lane. Proceed past Harpers Farm Road to Trotter Road and make a left. Continue to the parking area on the left. If you reach the small traffic circle, you've gone too far.
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software