September 2021 Newsletter
We Need YOUR Help to Cross the Finish Line
September is flying by...but there's still 10 days for you to make a difference for land preservation and clean water. At press time, we're approaching $6,000 raised out of our $15,000 goal. We know we haven't yet reached everyone who wants to directly support:
  • Planting trees to naturally improve air quality and filter our drinking water supply.
  • Removing trash to beautify our streams and improve the places where we seek solace.
  • Protecting land in conservation easements.
  • Planting gardens featuring native plants that sustain pollinators.
  • Providing experiences for students to nurture their sense of environmental stewardship.

You can make a direct donation to our annual fundraiser campaign. No walking required!


Need your fall outdoors fix? There's still time to order your shirt today! You can register as an individual ($45 - 1 shirt) or family ($75 - 2 shirts) for the Explore the Gunpowder Watershed Challenge.

Remember, we have prize raffles for individuals AND teams who meet the minimum requirements:
  • Individual - Activity Challenge: Walk/bike/paddle at least 45 miles
  • Individual - Fundraising Challenge: Raise $250 for GVC
  • Team - Activity Challenge: Walk/bike/paddle at least 245 miles
  • Team - Fundraising Challenge: Raise $750 for GVC
Don't Miss Out on Our FREE Open House!
Show your support for healthy lands, healthy waters, and healthy communities in the Gunpowder watershed! You’re invited to our GVC Celebration at Pine Ridge Golf Course on Sunday, October 3rd from 3 pm – 6 pm. Join us as we celebrate our volunteers and showcase our environmental stewardship projects. Join us for a native plant garden tour and stay for live music, food trucks, golf games, and good conversation!

  • Enjoy the music of Free Range Blue, a four piece acoustic Americana band. Their repertoire includes folk, bluegrass, classic country, Celtic, jazz, blues and much more!


  • Buy raffle tickets for an autographed Lamar Jackson canvas, wine baskets, and other items to raise money for land preservation and clean water.


The GVC Celebration at Pine Ridge Golf Course is open to the general public as well as GVC volunteers, members, and supporters. Admission is FREE but we are asking guests to RSVP to help us plan accordingly.
Get Involved - GVC Calendar of Events
Make sure to check out our fall calendar of events. We're adding new opportunities each week! Our most urgent need is for several more volunteers willing to get their hands dirty for clean water! We need help doing the not-so glamorous (but very important) tasks of creating garden beds, applying soil amendments, and spreading mulch. Help create a garden at a local church in Kingsville (Saturday, September 25) or a private residence in Wilson Point (Monday, September 27). Thank you!
Saturday, Sept. 25: Conservation Garden Design workshop - FULL
Saturday, Sept. 25: Garden site prep
Monday, Sept. 27: Garden site prep
Wednesday, Sept. 29: Garden site prep
Saturday, Oct. 2: Tree Planting
Saturday, Oct. 2: Edible Bayscape workshop
Saturday, Oct. 9: Tree Planting
Saturday, Oct. 9: Bayscape workshop
Saturday, Oct. 16: Tree Planting
Tuesday, Oct. 19: Rain Barrel workshop
Saturday, Oct. 23: Tree Planting
Saturday, Oct. 23: Edible Bayscape workshop
Saturday, Oct. 30: Tree Planting
Saturday, Oct. 30: Adopt a Stream training
Saturday, Nov. 6: Tree Planting
Saturday, Nov. 13: Tree Planting
Saturday, Nov. 20: Tree Planting

The GVC highly values the safety of our staff and volunteers. All participants are encouraged to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing. Should you feel ill, please do not attend the event and let the event leader know as soon as possible so we can recruit additional volunteers.
In Other News...
Hiking with the President
We're thrilled to announce a new initiative from the GVC President, Cyrus Green. He wants to hear from YOU about your GVC experiences and ways to improve our growing organization. Join Cyrus for Hiking with the President on October 23 or November 20 at Oregon Ridge Nature Center.

Reserve your spot today by filling out a brief Google Form. Space will be limited to allow for social distancing.
Have You Seen this Invasive Pest?
Our Tree Maintenance volunteers know the pain of removing invasive plants growing in close proximity to our newly planted trees. Invasive insects also pose a serious threat to forest ecosystems as well as agricultural crops. The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is one such pest. Please keep an eye out for this distinctive species--the adults have colorful red wings with black spots. It is not currently known from the Baltimore County area but has been found in Harford and Cecil Counties.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is asking people to "Snap it! Catch it! Freeze it! Send it!" and submit reports to DontBug.MD@maryland.gov. You can also find more information on their website.
GVC In the Community
We've missed your smiling faces! The GVC is happy to announce that we will be attending several community events in the upcoming weeks. We hope you'll stop by to find our table for our fall calendar of events.

Saturday, September 25: Marshy Point Nature Center Fall Festival offers family fun including games, hay rides, canoe trips, food and more.

Sunday, September 26: Tributary Music Festival at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. It is a Baltimore County Public School student-led day-long benefit concert to support the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Thursday, September 30 (11 am): Clear Creeks Project presentation at Bykota Senior Center. Learn how you can take action for clean, clear water at home.

Saturday, October 9: Spend a lovely afternoon hanging out at Dejon Vineyard. We'll be there until 4 pm.

Do you know of an upcoming meeting/event that would benefit from GVC's presence? Let us know! Email Amy Young with your recommendations.