Watershed Wise from the WRAP: Keep Leaves Out of Storm Drains

Fallen leaves are great for improving your soil, but leaves that wash into streets can clog storm drains and contribute to localized flooding. Storm drains also carry water—and anything in it—directly to our streams, lakes, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

As leaves break down in waterways, they release nutrients that can contribute to algae blooms, reducing oxygen levels and harming aquatic life.

Instead of letting leaves wash into the street, use them as mulch beneath trees and shrubs or in your garden. You can also add them to your compost bin or place them in paper bags for collection at the Alpha Ridge yard waste area.



If you live near a storm drain, consider volunteering to keep it clear or taking turns with neighbors to check it regularly. It is especially important to remove leaves and other debris before and after storms.

Article and graphic courtesy of the

Watershed Resident Advisory Panel (WRAP) at Columbia Association.

CARES CORNER



Free Soil Testing

Hickory Ridge Village is offering free soil testing for homeowners. Testing your soil will give you a good idea of your soil’s health and healthy soil is the first step to healthy plants. For local homeowners and gardeners, a standard soil analysis ensures your plants get exactly what they need. Specific reasons to test include:

• Determining Soil pH: Soil acidity or alkalinity dictates how well your plants can absorb nutrients. If your pH is off, plants won't benefit from fertilizer even if it's there.
• Identifying Nutrient Deficiencies: Tests measure macronutrients (phosphorus, potassium, calcium) and micronutrients (iron, zinc) so you only add the amendments you actually need.
• Saving Money: By knowing the exact fertilizer or lime requirements, you avoid wasting money on unnecessary additives.
• Protecting the Environment: Excess nutrients left in the soil can run off into local watersheds and pollute the ecosystem.

Stop by the Village office in the Hawthorn Center to pick up your free soil test bag!

Movies in the Park in Merriweather District include family favorites starting September 18

The Merriweather District in partnership with the Merriweather Arts and Culture Center is hosting Movie Nights in the Park on Fridays Sept. 18-Oct. 9, with pre-movie activities from 6:30-7 p.m., followed by the movie screening at 7:15 p.m.

The family-friendly pre-movie events at Color Burst Park include a variety of games, trivia and music with complimentary popcorn and candy concessions.

The lineup includes:

• Sept. 18 - Super Mario Galaxy
• Sept. 25 - Moana – Live Action
• Oct. 2 - The Wizard of Oz
• Oct. 9 - Toy Story 5

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and/or blankets. The movies are free and open to the public. RSVP here.

Volunteer - join the Resident Architectural Committee!

Are you interested in the housing styles and architecture in Hickory Ridge? Join the Resident Architectural Committee (RAC)! The RAC reviews exterior alteration applications for homes in Hickory Ridge. Get to know community members and learn more about the Village you live in! The RAC meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month in a virtual meeting at 7:30pm. In addition, RAC members visit 1 – 4 neighborhood properties in the week before the meeting as part of the application review process. Interested? Email Tania at applications@hickoryridgevillage.org.

Who Takes Care of What??

The Village office receives anonymous reports of concerns about a lot of different issues. Often, they are concerns that can be addressed by the Village, but we also get reports of issues that we cannot address.

The Village Covenants empower the Covenant Advisor to address problems like unmowed grass, peeling paint and bulk items in a yard. However, the Covenant Advisor is limited by the Covenants as well.

Some issues that ARE NOT included in the Covenants, which would be addressed by other agencies are:

• Pet issues (off leash, waste etc.) - Howard County Animal Control
• Trees between the sidewalk and the street - Bureau of Highways
• Street issues like pot holes or a sign down -Bureau of Highways
• Columbia Association Open Space (paths, bridges, tot lots, playgrounds) - open.space@columbiaassociation.org
• Street light outage - BGE reporting tool

Some issue are on HOA property. If you live in a townhome or condo community, your HOA would handle the following:

• parking issues
• mailbox issues
• trash or trash cans on islands/collection points
• carports
• common property of the HOA

Find contact information for HOAs on the Hickory Ridge website here.

Columbia Association Mapping & Geographic Information Systems

Check out the new Mapping & Geographic Information System (GIS) Resources page for Columbia Association! You can download maps, discover interactive apps and use the information provided to explore the Columbia community. Find tot lots, fun activities, pool information and more! Find out information about Open Space projects and download maps and other information.