Our First Full-Time Executive Director |
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Dear Friends of the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy,
I am very excited to take the helm and lead GVC into its next phase of growth. As soon as I learned of the search for GVC’s first full-time Executive Director, it was all that I could think about. I already knew a lot about GVC, but researched all that I could online, and spoke to volunteers and partners.
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Everyone I spoke to confirmed what I already knew from working with GVC - that it is a great organization with many dedicated volunteers! I am so grateful to be an official part of this family now. |
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To just briefly introduce myself, I am a molecular ecologist by training. My doctoral training at the University of Florida focused on conservation genetics of Florida manatees. During that time, it became very clear to me that no matter what other efforts were done to protect manatees or other species of concern, that it would not matter in the absence of available habitat. So often we focus on conserving the charismatic species (like manatees), but there is so much more to the importance and beauty found in the diversity of life. For years, I have wanted to shift into a role where land conservation/preservation efforts would be a primary focus and I am happy to be able to do that in this beautiful region of Maryland.
For nearly a decade, I worked as a faculty member at Stevenson University teaching in their Biology and Environmental Science programs. In my courses, I challenged students to leave campus and learn from the local community through service and research projects with Irvine Nature Center, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and many other organizations. As Founding Director of the SU Center for Environmental Stewardship, I had the pleasure of working with students from a variety of majors. Similar to GVC, the Center's goal was to improve the habitat, waterways, and environmental health of Baltimore County through engaging students, staff, and our local community. Each year, we coordinated hundreds of volunteers for conservation and STEM outreach projects- including coordinating SU volunteer groups for tree planting, garden projects, trail maintenance, and litter cleanups with GVC.
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The GVC is an organization that is both old enough to be well-established and young enough to have an exciting, bright future ahead. It is a gift to have our founding and long-time members still involved while also welcoming new faces. |
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Over my first few months as Executive Director, I want to hear from you about what you want to see for the future of the GVC. I would love to meet as many of you as possible and would like to invite you to join me at our upcoming Evening Among the Trees event on Saturday, September 17, 2022. It will be a celebration of our volunteers and GVC’s efforts to restore and protect the Gunpowder watershed.
I am so grateful for the dedication and hard work of past Executive Directors, Presidents, Board members, volunteers, and of course, the staff who have established this great organization. I look forward to working together to steward GVC's legacy while evolving our efforts to meet the changing needs of our community.
Sincerely,
Kim Pause Tucker
Executive Director
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GVC's 2022 Hero of the Green |
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Corey Johns (pictured above on left) included a trash clean-up at Cox Point Park in Essex as part of his 2019 birthday festivities. |
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Who knew a walk in the park could be life-changing? For GVC’s 2022 Hero of the Green, Corey Johns, having access to local parks has shaped his career. Corey can trace his love of nature to frequent visits to Oregon Ridge Nature Center (ORNC) as a child; he is now an ORNC lifetime member. After working as a community advocate with the Sierra Club to craft and promote legislation to move Maryland to a clean energy grid, Corey was appointed to the Baltimore County Board of Rec and Parks by County Executive Olszewski in 2019 as an at-large member.
“I immediately noticed the lack of attention on the nature councils and have become the unofficial board representative for them. Some of the nature councils didn't even know the board existed,” Corey explains. He has since been elected vice chair of the board (2021) and was recently re-elected to serve his second term.
He has successfully translated his passion for parks into his current job as Chief of Staff for Maryland State Delegate Michele Guyton. During the Pandemic, they both noticed how much people wanted to be outside at our parks, but also how poorly equipped our parks were for handling such a large increase in foot traffic...
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Growing Environmental Stewards at Saint Demetrios |
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We are thrilled to offer you not one, not two, but THREE chances to visit Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church (2504 Cub Hill Road, Parkville) in the upcoming weeks. Their Green Team, parishioners, and school families have been working all year on projects that have beautified their property while decreasing Saint Demetrios' impact on local streams that feed into the Gunpowder River, our connection to the Chesapeake Bay.
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Edible Bayscape Workshop:
Wednesday, August 10
7 - 8:30 pm
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Some of Saint Demetrios' youngest gardeners helped create an edible Bayscape garden in April, featuring fig trees and native flowers. You don't have to have a green thumb to appreciate this FREE workshop. Come see how easy it can be to create similar Bayscape gardens at your home, business, and/or place of worship.
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Clear Creeks Open House
Saturday, August 20
10 am - 1 pm
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Don’t miss this opportunity to get connected with local organizations who are working towards a shared mission of fostering the environmental health of our community and being true stewards of the earth.
- Tour Bay-Wise gardens on-site
- Test your knowledge during "Recycling in Baltimore County Q&A Session"
- Tour Saint Demetrios' "adopted" Stream
- Create children's crafts and pollinator games
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Evening Among the Trees
Saturday, September 17
5 - 8 pm
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Join us for an evening out in support of land preservation and clean water. The perfect opportunity to meet our new Executive Director as well as chat with our 2022 Hero of the Green.
And this AMAZING photograph of Loch Raven Reservoir?! One lucky guest will be bringing it home as a raffle winner.
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Upcoming Calendar of Events |
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You might be reading this with your toes in the sand, but we all know that the fall season is quickly approaching! We hope you have all had a relaxing summer because we will need you to get your hands dirty for clean water once September rolls around. We will reveal our fall 2022 schedule of volunteer events in our next e-newsletter.
Have questions about volunteering? Want to schedule your volunteer group for one of our fall tree plantings or tree maintenance events? Fill out our new volunteer form and GVC staff will get back to you as soon as possible.
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Gunpowder 2050: Our Shared Vision webinar |
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Join Allie O'Neill (Neighborhood Design Center) for a virtual presentation and discussion of the outcomes of the Gunpowder Watershed Forum. If you were unable to attend, this is your chance to join the conversation as we make plans for collaborative action for clean water in the Gunpowder Watershed.
Thursday, August 11th from 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Zoom link sent when you register. Questions? Contact Karen Stupski by email.
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