Monocacy & Catoctin Watershed Alliance Bimonthly Meetings

Submitted by Heather Montgomery, Community Restoration Coordinator
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Are you involved in or interested in restoration and conservation work occuring in Frederick County, MD? If so, please join us for our Monocacy & Catoctin Watershed Alliance meetings that are held every other month (February, April, June, August, October, and December) usually from 1pm-2:30pm. Simply contact me (Heather Montgomery) for the specific dates and locations.

Our MCWA meetings are excellent opportunities to learn about new and on-going projects including tree plantings, rain garden installations, workshops and field tours, stream studies, and more. Our partners are diverse and knowledgeable; through networking we collaborate to leverage resources and skills to accomplish our mutual goals.

MCWA partners Aimee Weldon (Potomac Conservancy) and April Wells (FCPS SYH Teacher Specialist) work together to install signage for the FCPS 20% by 2038 Tree Canopy Goal

This past year, our meeting agendas included presentations on the US Fish & Wildlife Service Partners Program, Frederick County Urban Wetlands Program, Mount St. Mary's University environmental studies, and the Frederick County Green Infrastructure Plan. We also tooks tours of the new Catoctin Creek Nature Center (including its green roof) and a riparian buffer project at Mt. St. Mary's University. All meetings include partner updates and announcements, too.

MCWA partners learn about the Catoctin Creek Nature Center Green Roof

Our December potluck had a great turnout with delicious food and wonderful donated door prizes. Thank you to Mike Kay for the South Mountain Soap Company handmade bars of soap, Jim Arnold for the Bonnie Brae Wildflower Honey and Beeswax Candles, Larry Maxim for the homemade apple butter, Melissa Stevens for the homemade grape jelly, Adam Downing for the "Green Charcoal" made from local hardwoods, and April Wells for the miscellaneous goodies. Thank you also to all who participated and who brought potuck dishes to share!