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.
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.
Contact Marc.Imlay Habitat Stewardship Chair, Sierra Club MD
Hellen Creek Forest and Wildlife Preserve, Lusby, MD
Cleanup Workdays at Hellen Creek :Join us for a quick tour of the preserve before we get down to the ongoing work of invasive removal and habitat restoration. Learn how you can improve your own backyard to make it friendlier to the environment and take a native plant home for your garden. Hellen Creek Forest and Wildlife Preserve is 50 acres of stream and ravine along Hellen Creek. We have over 25 species of trees including hemlocks and are adjacent to TNC's Hemlock Preserve. Wear sturdy clothes and shoes for invasive plant removal and native wildflower plantings. We will have gloves and tools and refreshments.
Directions: 11785 Clifton Drive Lusby MD 20657 Take Coster Road less than 1 mile to Clifton Drive on the right. Follow this to the driveway on the left with the number 11875 posted. Follow to the end where you will see our sign.
RSVP: Bob Boxwell, Executive Director, Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust 410-610-5124 bobboxwell@hotmail.com
American Chestnut Land Trust Port Republic, Calvert County, MD Description: Join us for our extensive Non-Native Invasive Plant Removal program in one of the last pristine watersheds on the Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Work as a team or individually; includes training, tools, water, and gloves. RSVP: 410-414-3400 land@acltweb.org
Charles County
Chapman Forest and Ruth Swann Park
Participating organizations include Maryland Native Plant Society and Sierra Club
Dates: First Sunday, 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 Please RSVP Thanks! 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.
We are continuing at the wetland meadow at Swann Park on a tributary of Mattawoman Creek. There are 8 species of native wildflowers in bloom there starting in April including Dwarf St. Johns Wort, Cardinal Flower, Monkey Flower, Maryland Meadow Beauty, and Jewell Weed. Please come and help rescue these plants from Japanese Stiltgrass.
Indian Head Shoreline Planting
Tuesday-Saturday, October 23–27, 2012
Naval Support Facility, Indian Head
The National Aquarium, in partnership with the Department of the Navy, the Southern Maryland Resource Conservation and Development Board, and the Charles Soil Conservation District, has been working for the last four years to restore riparian buffers along the Potomac River. As the last part of the project's final year, they planned to plant 2,000 native trees over five days. The Southern Maryland Group of Sierra Club asked its members to join in for a good day's work on the beach, planting 13 species of native trees in support of the Aquarium Conservation Team's (ACT!) verysuccessful initiative to improve our local waterways.
Volunteers brought a packed lunch and plenty of drinking water and had a great day!
Outing
Club support event 
Social event 
Activist event 
Multiple events (map only)
