Tag Archives: volunteering

Officially, over it.

We have been working on the planning for the annual hike to the river out at the Howard County Conservancy.

It is scheduled for March this year. It gives us the opportunity to look for signs of spring.

March 8th, at 10 am. This hike is appropriate for most skill levels, but they are asking for a minimum age level of eight years old.

Last fall, we had groups go out. With lots of volunteers to shepherd groups.

If people felt it was too difficult, we had leaders who could bring them back to the building.

This is a fairly long hike, by our standards. It is a couple of miles in each direction. The first half, obviously, is DOWN to the river. The second half, you guessed it, uphill for quite a bit.

When the group reaches the railroad tracks above the river, they are roughly halfway between Woodstock and Ellicott City. This land down there is part of Patapsco State Park. You don’t see houses or roads. It is quiet and really scenic.

This hike is one of the monthly free events, called the Second Saturday events. Many of us who regularly volunteer enjoy getting out and leading families, couples, friends, and singles to show them the little things about nature we have learned as volunteer naturalists.

And, as a lead in to a request for new volunteers, the training for elementary school and middle school hike leading volunteers begins in two weeks.

Schedule for training is here.

I may be jumping ahead to promote spring events, but the thought of getting outdoors and saying farewell to the snow has me looking at the calendar and saying “Come On Springtime!”.

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A full month of good things to do where I volunteer. At the Howard County Conservancy, there are a number of days we have events. I volunteer at a few and attend others when I can.

This Saturday Ray Bosmans is coming back with his snakes. Always a very well attended free event. At 10 am.

Next Tuesday, we begin our series of volunteer winter hikes. New friends are most welcome. Hike at 9:30. Lecture at 11. The 14th we will learn about the soil at Mt. Pleasant presented by Dean Cowherd, NRCS.

Then, same time on the 28th, Kerry Wixted or DNR will present Exploring Maryland’s Biodiversity.

February 11th, over at the Belmont site, The History of Belmont.

For me, these continuous learning opportunities keep me engaged. Learning more and becoming a better leader of field trips.

But, my favorite upcoming event is the Storytelling Event.

JAN 19- Sunday 3-5pm Tales of Nature: An Afternoon of Professional Storytelling with Adam Booth, Diane Macklin and Marc Young. An afternoon of storytelling that will delight and enchant both children and adults. Tales of earth’s creatures and Mother Nature will be among the stories told by three different professional story tellers from three different traditions: Appalachian, American & African Griotic, and Jewish. $5/person; $15/family. Space is limited, registration required!.

The description from the web site. If you have never seen truly talented story tellers, this is a must attend event.

Wow, add to that my program committee meeting, and I will certainly be busy in the New Year.

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