Bulletins
Woodland Trail Project
The Woodland Trail project at Wetlands Overlook Park, led by Scout Noah Foster and Trail Life Scout Troop 0513, has been underway to enhance the Green Loop Trail. This expansion transforms the trail into a 1/3-mile loop, allowing visitors to walk through the woodlands and return. Since Fall 2023, the troop has organized workdays during December and January.
The project involves various tasks such as clearing, raking, trimming branches, installing reflective arrow markers, and planning for trail signs at the entrance. Upon completion, the trail will feature an old stump seat listening area, a sitting area, refurbished bluebird boxes, and a designated wildlife viewing location. Noah is collaborating with Trail Life Leaders and coordinating efforts with Lisa Garrett, the Naturalist at the North Beach Nature Center.
The anticipated ribbon-cutting is on April 20, 2024, coinciding with the Earth Day Celebration at the Nature Center.
Conservation Day of Service
On Monday, January 16, 2023, the local Watershed Stewards participated in a Martin Luther King Day of Service at the Wetlands Overlook Park rain garden. They removed leaves, added new plants, and freshened up the mulch. The gardens should be ready for spring rains. To learn more about rain gardens, check out the University of Maryland Extension page.
State Highway Administration Planting Completed
A two-day planting was completed from November 16 through 18, 2022 at Wetlands Overlook Park. The Installation of 140 native trees, shrubs, and wetland plants as part of a Pilot Mitigation Program with the State of Maryland Critical Areas Commission was completed with funds from the State Highway Administration road project on Maryland Route 261. Garner Exteriors was awarded the contract and did an excellent landscaping job with the wetland species beds.
Let's Talk Turkey Green Talk
The November Green Talk on November 16, 2022 was all about Wild Turkeys. The discussion included the reasons why there is the legend that Ben Franklin wanted the turkey to be the National Bird versus the Bald Eagle. Was this true? Topics included favorite Thanksgiving foods throughout the years and how the Wild Turkey was reintroduced to Maryland by the Department of Natural Resources and is rebounding. Folks may see a Wild Turkey flock out in the snow in the winter months.
Owl Prowl
A large group gathered on November 12, 2022 to walk on the woodland trail at Wetlands Overlook Park and listen and look for wild owls. A Barred Owl called out to us with its “Who Cooks for You?” call close to dusk. We also discovered glowing fungus with a black light and heard a red fox barking nearby.
Owl-O-Ween
The Owl-O-Ween program was November 11, 2022 at Town Hall with Mike Callahan, Guest Naturalist from Nanejemoy Creek Environmental Center, bringing a live Barred Owl, Screech Owl and Barn Owl to meet the excited audience. The group got to learn and practice owl calls and hoots, win trivia, make owl masks, and one lucky young man got to get his photo taken holding the little Screech Owl. Thanks to Mike helping us celebrate Owl Weekend in North Beach.
Let's Talk Turkey Campfire
Families attended the Let's Talk Turkey program on November 5, 2022 and were so surprised by the special guest, Turkey Lurkey. A local family brought their live! She ate dry mealworms from our hands and it was neat to hear her gobbling and see her up close as we talked about the parts of the turkey’s head (snood, carbuncles and color-changing ability).
