Environmental Issues

JOIN US FOR TRIPS ON THE MATTAWOMAN! HELP SAVE THE CREEK!

Mattawoman Creek Watershed is the highest quality fish spawning nursery in the Chesapeake Bay, but it is threatened by un-needed roads and development.

Join us on an outing to see the Mattawoman Creek!.

Learn more about how you can help save Mattawoman click here.

Charles County's projected growth and the effects on groundwater supplies

 US-301/Waldorf Bypass 

Cool Cities

Chapman Forest Walk

Charles County

Chapman Forest and Ruth Swann Park

Participating organizations include Maryland Native Plant Society and Sierra Club

Dates: First Sunday and second Saturday, monthly
Time: 10 a.m. – 4  p.m. 

There are about 3,000 native plant species in Maryland, with 800 at Chapman Forest and contiguous Swann Park, 49 of which are endangered.
Remove invasive non-natives from the 200-acre Swann Park and 800-acre portion of Chapman Forest designated Chapman State Park. There will be time for plant identification and a beautiful beach lunch. Learn about best season for species, wet soil condition for pulling, extent of area of natives seen rescued, delayed gratification, targeted use of herbicides, and matching funds for staff to do what volunteers find hard to do.
 
Non-native invasive plant removal will reach maintenance phase following a major work effort at each site in the Mid-Atlantic region and around the world for about 5-7 years to remove the massive populations of species. Regular stewardship projects are conducted in all seasons including winter, early spring, late spring, summer, and late summer.   This high-intensity program is followed by a low-intensity annual maintenance program for plants we have missed, plants emerging from the seed bank, and occasional plants migrating in from neighboring areas.

Casual clothing, long sleeves and pants, sturdy comfortable walking boots/shoes, gloves, hat, bugspray are encouraged for these events.. Bring bag lunch and water.

INFO and map www.chapmanforest.org and www.mattawomanwatershedsociety.org
Contact: Marc Imlay 301-283-0808. 301-442-5657c 
 
DIRECTIONS: First Sunday, meet at main gate of Chapman Forest.
Directions to Chapman Forest, Chapman State Park, Mount Aventine and the Glendening Natural Environment Area. Take the Washington Capital Beltway to Indian Head Highway (MD 210) south toward Indian Head (from VA Exit 2; from MD Exit 3A). At 14 miles, continue through on MD 210 through the traffic light at MD 227 (This crossroads is the center of the community known as Bryans Road). At about 1.1 miles past the light, veer to the right onto Chapmans Landing Road. Follow for 1.6 miles to the gated entrance of Mount Aventine and Chapman State Park.
 
DIRECTIONS: Second Saturday, meet at Ruth B. Swann Park- Potomac Branch Library parking lot, 20 miles south of Washington Beltway (I-495) on Rt. 210 (Indian Head Hwy), about a mile and a half south from the traffic light on Rt. 2l0 in Bryans Road. 30 to 40 minutes from the Beltway. CARPOOL Info: Meet at Sierra Club Md office at 9 a.m. return 5 p.m. Call Laurel Imlay at 301-277-7111.

Upcoming Events and Activities

Citizen's Training in Environmental Design
May 10, 2010 from 7:00PM-9:00PM
A 2 hour workshop that will teach you how to review site plans for ESD compliance. More information here.

IMPORTANT Charles County Budget Hearing
May 12, 2010 at 6:00PM
Charles County Government Building
200 Baltimore St
LaPlata, MD 20646

Come out and have your voice heard. This is the opportunity to raise questions about the Charles County Commissioner's priorities. Instead of directing their funding towards environmentally destructive projects, existing budget funds should be going towards schools, public safety and adequate services to existing urban areas. Come help us to help them direct their budget in the right direction! 

For more events and information, visit the Maryland Sierra Club website calendar. Follow the link here.

Get Involved

Writing letters to the editor (LTEs)of your local newspaper is a great way to help inform your neighbors and let your elected officials know what their constituents think.

Click here to view an example LTE regarding Constellation Energy's proposal to expand nuclear power in Calvert County.

Let's use HIPPO as a tool on all five fronts: Tackling the 'HIPPO' Threat to Biodiversity

If we are to survive spiritually, culturally, and economically, we need to take action now by protecting the animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life.

 What are the biggest threats to biodiversity? Just remember "HIPPO":

 * Habitat loss

 * Introduced species (exotic and invasive)

 * Pollution

 * Population growth

 * Over consumption

The Southern Maryland  Sierra Club has decided to focus on all of these threats to biodiversity. Based on the premise that even relatively small actions can make a lot of difference in saving habitats, we are planning several actions that will raise awareness of the issue of threats to biodiversity, protect and restore natural communities, and remove invasive non-native species that choke out wildlife habitats and damage us economically.

Field Trip Coordinator

Increase public awareness by arranging adult trips and trip leaders with our partners to National Wildlife Federation wildlife gardens, butterfly gardens, tree plantings, rain gardens, and restored habitats and wetlands.

Calvert County