The Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway Inc. (FPVHG) is dedicated to preserving , protecting, interpreting and restoring the environment, history and culture of the Valley between Daniels and Elkridge, Maryland.

As our membership and resources expand we hope to be able to expand our mission.

PATAPSCO HERITAGE GREENWAY (PHG) FOCUS FOR 2010
(Updated 2/15/2010)

ENVIRONMENT

• Develop a water quality monitoring program along the
  Patapsco River, in conjunction with interested state and county
  agencies
• Develop storm drain stenciling/disking pilot project
• Encourage environmental education in county schools
• Continue to develop, train and implement the Stream Watch Program
• Conduct additional subwatershed recons
• Conduct stream cleanups to improve the Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay
• Conduct tree plantings to increase forest buffers along streams
• Conduct and evaluate Garlic Mustard Challenge
• Participate in Patapsco Tributary Team
• Support environmentally, culturally and recreationally sensitive removal of Union Dam
• Establish working environmental relationships with Carroll County
• Continue efforts to improve Patapsco River water quality
• Continue to develop working relationships with the counties and city
• Assist the American Chestnut Society in reestablishing the American Chestnut
  

TELLING THE STORY

• Coordinate the activities for revitalizing the historic Thomas Viaduct
• Expand the historic vignettes on our website to include references to other sites and pictures
• Conduct meetings on topics of historical interest throughout the year
• Complete Park interpretive signs
• Begin planning for other interpretive signs
• Encourage development of a grist mill or a grist mill model somewhere in PHG
• Help create a Catonsville Gateway to PHG
• Create working relationships with local museums
• Create working relationships with local historical societies and trusts
• Work to ensure Union Dam is adequately interpreted before it is removed

LAND

• Work with state and counties to obtain Simkins/St. Mary's and the Route 1 property for the Patapsco State Park
• Work to protect Belmont as a historical location and preserve its viewshed for future generations
• Identify other large and/or critical land parcels adjacent to Patapsco State Park for preservation or addition to the park
• Work with counties, land trusts and state to preserve land in/adjacent to Patapsco State Park
• Participate in state Open Space land prioritization

TRAILS/PARKS

• Help Patapsco Park improve a recreational trail from Avalon to Baltimore Harbor
• Continue to improve off-road connection of PHG to regional/national trail systems
• Coordinate activities with Catonsville Rails to Trails
• Participate in National/Regional Trail activities
• Assist in developing Ellicott City/Oella Park
• Assist in obtaining adequate funding for Patapsco Park
• Conduct outdoor activities to encourage better health
• Continue to work with Patapsco Park to develop Loop Trail

PUBLIC RELATIONS

• Maintain and increase the usefulness of the PHG website
• Develop an active committee to enhance our public image
• Determine if there is community interest in PHG becoming a certified heritage area
• Develop good working relationships with counties and state
• Develop relationships with hiking, biking, horse and volksmarchers groups
• Encourage the promotion of PHG books and maps

MEMBERSHIP

• Double size of our membership
• Maintain volunteer list for our activities

MANAGEMENT

• Develop funding for full-time Executive Director
• Diversify operational funding sources
• Increase the value of our endowment fund
• Develop new leadership
• Develop active committees