The
Conservancy is an environmental education center which has a wide variety of
opportunities that impact approximately 5000 children and several thousand
adults each year. The largest number of Master Gardener volunteers are
needed to support the spring school programs from mid April through mid May,
but activities continue throughout the year. For formal programs MGs are
asked to come one half hour early for specific instruction and task
assignment.
Chair: Jo Ann Russo
Upcoming events for 2011: Orientation to Mt. Pleasant will be on March 21, 2011 – 11:00-12:00. Activities which Master Gardeners participate: Middle School Service learning programs: April 14 and 15 – Elkridge Landing Middle School – 9:00 am – 12 noon Master gardeners will supervise groups of 8-10 students teaching them about the invasives they are removing and why this is important for the environment. There will be an adult from the school with each group. Tools are provided by the Conservancy. Fourth grade plant a habitat programs – April 14 – Swansfield Elementary School – 9:30-12:30 am May 17 – Stevens Forest Elementary School – 10 am -12:30 pm During these sessions the class is divided into 4 groups with each group cycling through nature games, a nature walk and a planting activity. Master Gardeners will supervise small groups of 4-6 students planting in the Children's garden for about 20 minutes for each group. At this level students need to be shown how to weed an area, plant and if needed mulch. April 30 – Earth Day –from 9am until 1pm: Activities may include compost demonstration, invasive removal, tree planting, work in the vegetable, children's, native plant or rain gardens. Tasks include supervising children and adults in these activities or manning a Baywise, Native plant or other instructional display. Generally about 200 members of the community attend this event – including boy and girl scout, community college and adult or family groups. Tools are available at the Conservancy, but you may wish to bring your own hand tools. If you bring your own tools, please have them clearly marked with your name. MGs may volunteer for any portion or all of this time. October 1 – Fall Festival – Activities similar to Earth day activities with the addition of a native plant sale. Master gardeners are asked to donate native plants and to help conduct the sale. Ongoing activities – Regular Wednesday workdays: two groups operate – one works in the historical vegetable garden and salad table project, the other completes general garden tasks around the property. Hours are generally from 9 until 11 from the beginning of April until the end of October. Occasionally members of the general community join us. |
Howard Conservancy at Mount Pleasant |