Watershed Stewards:
Peter and Barbara Luchsinger
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Peter, Barbara and hound relax in the shade of their walnut grove.
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Just outside of Urbana, with a majestic view of Sugarloaf Mountain to the west, lies the Peter and Barbara Luchsinger property. The Luchsingers have owned this property since 1978 after they acquired it from Mrs. Luchsinger’s parents. Over the years, Peter and Barbara have conducted a number of forestry and wildlife practices including a commercial forest harvest, cutting firewood for their own use, controlling invasive species like tree of heaven, and spraying for gypsy moth when necessary. Dr. and Mrs. Luchsinger have also spent a substantial amount of time reforesting nearly 10 acres of land. The landowners are managing their fields to enrich the soil and provide habitat for field dwelling wildlife.
Three generations of tree plantings on the Luchsinger property. A portion of the meadow is in the foreground.
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Besides the work on their own property, Peter and Barbara have been active on the community level with many conservation programs. Both Peter and Barbara have been active members of the Maryland Forests Association and Walnut Council for a number of years. Barbara has, in fact served as the President of the Maryland Chapter, and International Association of the Walnut Council, recently stepping down as the President of the International Association. The Luchsinger’s also hosted a Tree Planting field tour of their property in 1994 that was attended by many individuals including the County Commissioners and County Planning Board members. Just recently Peter helped develop and coordinate a gypsy moth spray block around the east side of Sugarloaf Mountain. Peter also helped coordinate spray efforts in 1990, 2000, 2003, and 2007.
A view of the pond located in the center of the property.
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Peter and Barbara Luchsinger are very proud that they have accomplished most of the work on their property themselves without the help of any cost sharing. For all their work on the local, state, and international level, and deep sense of stewardship, the Luchsingers are very deserving as Watershed Stewards.
Some new plantings and a well established riparian buffer that Mrs. Luchsinger planted about 10 years ago.
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