Last Updated on May 15, 2017
As you know, we have had a wet spring, but the Nature Trail is walkable. We are still working with Grounds to get sufficient wood chips on the Trail, but it is in reasonably good shape, and flowers are blooming.
Wildflower Day was held on Friday, April 22, on Earth Day in the Cross Creek Lounge, Chesapeake Lounge, and on the Trail. This special day is our Nature Trail Committee’s annual official opening of the Trail after winter. We had two guided walks along the Trail (with scavenger hunts), as well as videos of Trail walks and other topics of local interest. We had two raffles, numerous displays, information handouts, milkweed plants for sale (order), and lots of homemade cookies. A highlight of the event was the arrival of Mother Nature, who was dressed for the part, including an elaborate headpiece of twigs, flowers and birdies.
Since our East Branch of Herbert Run flows alongside the Nature Trail and eventually goes into the Patapsco River, we have two joint events scheduled with volunteers of the Patapsco Heritage Society. On Thursday, May 19, we will have a Garlic Mustard Pull to help get rid of this invasive weed on campus. We will meet in the Cross Creek Lobby at 10 a.m. and have at least a dozen people going in different directions to pull and bag the weeds. On Friday, June 10 we will have another group of volunteers come to finish our stream cleaning, picking and bagging debris from the Run. For this activity, we will again meet at 10 a.m. in the Cross Creek Lobby. Anyone is welcome to participate in these events. Be sure to dress appropriately: gloves, long sleeves and pants for the weed pulling in order to avoid poison ivy and ticks; and wettable shoes, gloves, and a walking stick (for balance) for cleaning the stream.
Bert Clegern
Co-Chairman, Nature Trail Committee