Help preserve the environment this fall

The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area has been a protected part of the Clarksville community for 30 years. Dedicated in 1996 as a “forever protected” natural area, the 1,021-acre property is the largest in Howard County’s system of parks, open space and natural resource areas.

Accessible at 5795 Trotter Road, it is even larger than New York City’s Central Park.

Managed by the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks in partnership with the Middle Patuxent Environmental Foundation, the area is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including about 150 species of birds and more than 40 species of mammals, along with numerous amphibians, reptiles, fish, butterflies and plants. The Middle Patuxent River runs through the property from north to south, fed by numerous tributary streams.

Maintaining and protecting a natural area of this size takes community involvement. The MPEA Board of Trustees is seeking two to three new members to serve three-year terms. The board can include up to 11 members, who help provide oversight of the environmental area.

Applicants must be Howard County residents. Individuals with backgrounds in science are especially encouraged to apply. Those interested can learn more by contacting Melissa McCormick at melissakmccormick@gmail.com.

The MPEA also offers opportunities for community members to support conservation efforts. Through its Conservation Stewardship Project, volunteers help remove invasive exotic plants and restore native vegetation in the environmental area.

Upcoming opportunities include shelter clearing and tree planting on Sept. 22 and Oct. 6. Volunteers will remove vines and other vegetation that can overwhelm young trees and shrubs and, when conditions permit, plant new trees and shrubs. Autumn Olive removal events are scheduled for Oct. 20 and Nov. 3.

For those looking for an ongoing commitment, the MPEA is seeking volunteers to help maintain more than 2,500 planted trees and shrubs. Volunteers manually remove vegetation that is encroaching on established plantings by pulling, cutting or digging. A minimum commitment of one hour per month is required, with volunteers choosing their own workdays. Prospective volunteers may visit howardcountymd.gov/mpea to learn more.

Book lovers will have two opportunities to celebrate reading this fall. On Sept. 25, The Novel Refuge bookstore in Laurel will give a free book to children up to age 12 who visit the store. The “Dolly Day” giveaway honors singer Dolly Parton, whose literacy program, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, provides free books to children around the world.

On Oct. 4, a book festival will take place at Clarksville Commons Plaza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration of books and community will feature local authors, children’s story time, crafts, live music and vendors.

Thrifters and bargain hunters will want to mark Oct. 3 on their calendars. The Maple Lawn Annual Fall Yard Sale will take place from 8 a.m. to noon in the parking lot behind 8120 Maple Lawn Blvd.

Also, that day, the Village of River Hill will hold yard sales from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at participating homes throughout the neighborhood. Shoppers can look for red balloons on street signs to identify streets where residents are participating.

When she’s not writing about the Clarksville area, Susan Soldavin serves as the Communications Coordinator for the River Hill Community Association. Send news to include in this column about people and events in the community to susansoldavin@gmail.com.…Read more by Susan Soldavin