Presently, while we are neither a property-owning or governmental organization, we try to encourage the positive management of the Patapsco Valley and its visitors. We participate in a wide variety of state and county planning activities. We also are actively involved in developing educational materials about the environment and the history of the Valley.

Our motivation is to ensure that the Patapsco Valley remains pleasant for our generation and for future generations. One of the key elements of our mission is to complete and expand a professionally developed Management Plan. This study is a beginning vision of possible ways to protect and preserve the valley. This will create an official focus and provide a vehicle to help us protect and enhance the Valley.

State of Our Watersheds Conference
March 13, 2010

Registration is open for the 2010 Conference! Join in the discussion about clean water in our streams, the harbor and ultimately the Bay. Hear from the Bay program director on new oversight from the federal government for restoring the Chesapeake Bay. Get an update on intiatives with the Baltimore Watershed Agreement and much more on climate change, stormwater and our local streams. Bring a neighbor and don't miss this exciting event!

2010 CALENDAR OF EVENTS (click here)


LOOK WHAT OUR MEMBERS ACCOMPLISHED IN 2009!

Key statistics and initiatives:

• Over 1,400 volunteers participated in FPVHG-sponsored environmental events
• Thirty-two (32) river/stream cleanups, removing over 39 tons (79,143 pounds) of trash/junk from Patapsco Valley
• 106 new trees planted; 56 of those trees created a new American Chestnut Trees Grove; 135 previously planted trees maintained
• Over a ton (2,119 pounds) of invasive garlic mustard removed from the Patapsco Valley
• Thirty-eight new members, totaling 238 members
• 63 stream watch volunteers throughout the Patapsco Valley area
• New Business Plan developed
• New part-time Executive Director position

Other new initiatives and programs:

• Creation of new advisory committees (Management/Financial, Education, Environment, Fundraising, History, Land Use, Membership, Public Relations, Recreation and Events, and Trails
• New informal history talks (Relay, B&O Railroad Station in Ilchester and Ellicott City
• New guided kayak ride along the Patapsco River
• New guided bike ride along the Patapsco Heritage Trail
• New guided bird-watching hike in Patapsco State Park along the Grist Mill Trail
• New stream watch training held in spring and fall for stream watch volunteers
• Rain barrel workshop held in partnership with Howard County Master Gardeners, distributing rain barrels to interested participants
• Participation in new hands-on educational program in partnership with CCBC Catonsville Campus Biology and GPS Departments, teaching students to analyze stream species and canopy, to determine and track changes in stream water quality
• New environmental/history scavenger hunt educational program
• School-age group cleanups (ranging from 80-100 students)
• Comprehensive stream survey of Coopers Run by Environmental Committee Team
• New business group cleanups, partners & sponsors
  
  

VOLUNTEER! Check out our Event Calendar and Stream Watch Program for volunteer opportunities. To see photos of past volunteers in action, visit http://patapscofriend.myphotoalbum.com. If you would like to join hundreds of other volunteers in cleaning up the Patapsco Valley area, please call 410-480-0824 or e-mail patapscofriend@gmail.com.