Conservation Montgomery 

June 1, 2011 

Community Updates 

In This Issue
Legislation to Watch
Conservation Kids Page
Quick Links

 

Visit our shop 

 

Our Current Board of Directors Column: The Tale of Brickyard Road and Nick's Organic Farm

Our Partners

partners

 Corporate affiliates 

 

Join Our Mailing List

 

An Anniversary to Celebrate and a Vote on the FY12 Budget 

 

There is good news and bad news with every approved budget these days, the Montgomery County budget being no exception.  But we have a few county budget items to be thankful for when it comes to the environment.  For a summary, click here.  We'll update this with more details on our website in the coming week.


 anniversary

 

Mark your calendars and bring your families

 

Conservation Montgomery is approaching an anniversary on the afternoon of August 27th.  We hope you will join us to celebrate, along with our 17 nonprofit partner organizations and 6 corporate partners.   Details will be posted soon.   

 

Bag Bill Adopted into Law

 

Thanks again to our Council Members and County Executive for advancing local legislation to promote the use of reusable shopping bags in the county.  Find the bill here.    

   

Todd Bolton

Takoma Park Arborist Todd Bolton, at right, explains why this tree was scheduled for removal due to natural causes:  root rot.  As an ailing tree, it presents a danger to the property owner and others. To learn more about tree maintenance and health, visit www.CaseyTrees.org or the American Forests website. 

Come out for a Community Stroll  

 

NEXT STROLL:  June 12th in the Rachel Carson Conservation Park

 

With warmer weather, our schedule of Community Strolls have resumed, the next stroll set for June 12th.  Our May 21st Community Stroll led by Todd Bolton, City Arborist for Takoma Park, was a real eye-opener. We learned a lot about Takoma Park's tree ordinance that sustains the city tree canopy.  Please plan to get out and about and savor new or favorite treasured places in the county.  Download the complete schedule.  


New Partners

We welcome several new partners this month Choose Clean Water Coalition, Montgomery Bicycle Advocates, the Muddy Branch Alliance, and the Seven Oaks-Evanswood Citizens Association.  These alliances bring our partners list to 17 nonprofit organization partners and 6 corporate partners.  Find out more about each partner by clicking on to their titles in the left column of this newsletter. 

National Bike Month a Success bike

Congratulations to the Montgomery County Civic Federation, Montgomery County DOT, Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, State Highway Administration, Montgomery Bicycle Advocates and others involved in the terrific county Bike Summit held in May during National Bicycling Month.  It was an outstanding and informative event.  The news is that the League of American Bicyclists just voted the State of Maryland the 10th most bike-friendly state.  Here's a blueprint for improving bicycling in our community.

Community Heroes

Finally, another cause for celebration and concern at the same time -- On June 13th, the Save Our Parks/Preserve Our Community Coalition will receive a Community Heroes Award from the Montgomery County Civic Federation (MCCF).  MCCF is among other county organizations alarmed by the possibility of parkland and public schools competing for land use.  Our position is that we need parks AND a strong school system -- with the two public services coexisting instead of competing for space. For photos and the story on events leading to Save Our Parks' success in having their park de-listed as a potential school construction site, read here.

Legislation on the Horizon

Urban Tree Legislation

to be announced this summer 

tree

Illustration from a design specification developed by environmental engineer and Audubon Naturalist Society Conservation Director Diane Cameron.  The concept uses single trees or tree clusters on a lot in stormwater management.  Trees are often taken down in construction projects to make room for structural stormwater measures.  This concept is currently being peer-reviewed by engineers.  If used in an urban tree bill underway, more mature trees on single lots being developed in the county can be preserved. Watch our website at www.ConservationMontgomery.org and read our newsletter to stay informed. 


Conservation Kids Page 

Click here for a printer-friendly Kids Activity Page
developed by Julia Madsen

jj

 

Julia Madsen is a 7th grade student in the Montgomery County Public Schools.    

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Ask not what Conservation Montgomery can do for you... but what YOU can do for Conservation Montgomery.

Conservation Montgomery Volunteer Positions Available:

News Editor 

Do you have a nose for news?  Or desire for training in scouting for the best news items to post online for our web page?  This is a fun and easy job that guarantees you will be "in the know" around the county. 

Writers

We need community volunteers with writing skills to help with brief newsletter or web material.  Articles and links to information of relevance to Conservation Montgomery readers are in high demand.  We need writers in various sections of the county.

Grants writers

We are a growing nonprofit with access to grants listings but need experienced writers to help us develop proposals. 

We cannot pay for these positions but will gladly offer training and credit on resumes' and story credit online for these services.  If you are a college student in need of experience or a creative person looking for an outlet, we're looking for YOU.   If interested, please send an e-mail, resume and/or writing sample to
ConservationMontgomery@live.com 


event

Calendar items 


June

July

August

September


Conservation Montgomery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the IRS code.  To donate or sign up as a member.   

logosquared 

 
Working together to enhance our quality of life.