MCA stands with our colleagues in Frederick working towards transparency and public process as they endeavor to find out why a 500 acre area has been left out of the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan section of the larger Master Plan revision for some as yet unspecified development. A Public Information Request has been filed by Envision Frederick. 
As you can see above - the 500 acre carve out is west of 270 - the highway has historically the defining eastern border of the Sugarloaf planning zone  just as the Monocacy River difines the zone to the west.
​ 
More Background here from Kai Hagen, former County Commissioner in a piece titled "Hold the Line"

Frederick News Post (8/23): "Frederick County residents voice concerns with Sugarloaf preservation plan"
​Op-Ed- Development Trumps Preservation in Sugarloaf Plan

LAND has provided Poolesville Elementary students with opportunities to make an impact on nature right on our own school grounds. They are able to differentiate for every age to make each child feel engaged in projects they will feel proud of for a season and sometimes even years. Amy and Garth have a passion about nature that is contagious even for those that are afraid to get a little dirty. Children will carry these hands-on learning experiences they provide with them throughout their lives to make our Earth a better place. We are so thankful to have LAND as part of our school community.”
Amy Hufnagel
K Teacher Poolesville Elementary School

Have you seen them? - Pods of eager kids gathered outdoors in and around the Agricultural Reserve with gloves and rakes and shovels and questions, lots of great questions… Somewhere in the middle you will find husband and wife Garth and Amy Seely, the dedicated movers behind non-profit Landscape and Nature Discoveries (LAND) for 15 years. Connecting kids with, and building affinity for, the natural world through hands on projects at local schools has garnered respect and praise from educators, parents, and most importantly, budding ecologists. MCA recognizes that our best future, and that of the Reserve specifically, will require new hands and voices committed to conservation. Amy shares: “Often, we run across kids who are hesitant to be in nature, hesitant to explore new things or get their hands dirty. Watching a child move through some fear and fully participate in the activities is very impactful.”
In addition to the work through LAND, the Seely’s with their two son’s Thayer and Cade, work the family landscaping business Gardens by Garth, launched the same year the Reserve was created in 1980.
 Join us in celebrating the work of LAND and the Seelys. Event Information coming soon.
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Before the pandemic, there was concern that links between kids and the natural world were fraying with dire consequences for health and activity levels. And then, kids spent the past however many months in front of screens for school and play. 

Getting outside has all the health benefits it always has, plus it is now the safer option for gathering with friends. 

​There is wonder to be found in your own neighborhood but if you'd like to go farther afield, these nature centers and programs offer great opportunities to connect kids with the natural world:


Black Hill Nature Programs
Brookside Nature Center
Croydon Creek Nature Center
Locust Grove Nature Center
Meadowside Nature Center
Audubon Naturalist Society Green Kids Program
Mobile Agricultural Science Lab Program via MarylandAgricultural Education Foundation
Close Encounters with Agriculture
Mobile Nature Center: Nature on Wheels
Local chapters of the Izaak Walton League


And the recipients of the 2021 Reserve Champion – Royce Hanson Award:
Landscape and Nature Discoveries

Update 10/21: A rally on campus to protect the woods highlighted the growing chorus of local and campus leaders defending the woods against sale to a private developer. Coverage from Maryland Matters. 

We have been tracking a consequential development at the University of Maryland in PG County where  Guilford Woods a ~15 acre publicly held forest at the southern edge of campus is the target of development plans for more graduate housing. This site includes the headwaters of a stream, Guilford Run, and is part of the Anacostia watershed. 

Some of the trees in this mature mixed forest date to the Civil War, this development proposal would take this accessible and established forest out of public ownership and sell it to a private developer. 

A group of local residents has galvanized around this forest in order to Save Guilford Woods. This group has identified places where the needed housing can be developed closer to transit by re-developing other areas surrounding campus instead of losing this forest which is part of the PG Green Infrastructure Network. 

MCA has written to UMD President Pines and urges others (particularly those with UMD connections) to do the same. Find all you need to pen your email here. 

Subject: Forests are Infrastructure, and Equity: Protect Guilford Woods
​
Greetings President Pines, 

We are writing from Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve to urge University leaders to protect Guilford Woods. 

Ecologists are just beginning to understand the real benefits of tree cover and forests for surrounding communities. Specifically, the critical importance of forests in already developed areas for public health has expanded tree cover from a solely environmental concern to a social justice issue as the idea of "tree equity" comes to the fore. Despite the University's commitment to climate mitigation, the campus is still a heat island - an effect tempered by the surrounding forest - a rare urban forest that is accessible to residents relying on transit.

Here in the Ag Reserve, we have been working with the Montgomery County Planning Department to identify sites and plant forests along stream banks in our county to mitigate the loss of forests to development similar to this proposal. From first-hand experience of this work, finding and planting these parcels is time consuming and expensive and it takes many years for these forests to become established ecosystems like Guilford Woods.


While reforestation is important, it is as they say - the best time to plant a forest was 20 years ago - with the addendum that the best time to preserve one is today. 

Forests, particularly established forests are infrastructure and Guilford Woods is in fact designated a part of the PG Green Infrastructure Network - there is no better or cheaper way to engineer the water and air quality, habitat, flood control, cooling and other health benefits it provides the campus and surrounding community. 

We ask that you consider the many other proposed locations for needed student housing as Guilford Woods is already serving its highest use as an established urban forest. 

Thank You For Your Consideration, 

Montgomery Countryside Alliance

Happy Farmers Market Week! The Poolesville Farmers’ Market is locally operated and features all local products, including produce, art, soaps, eggs, woodcrafts, fabric crafts, garden décor, dog treats, meats, flours and baked goods.
The market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays at Whalen Commons, 19701 Fisher Avenue, Poolesville. Come out to experience our fun vendors and the ambiance of the town.
 
www.poolesvillefarmersmarket.net
Instagram: @poolesville.farmers.market
Facebook: @poolesvillefarmersmarket

Jack Flint, Twin Brooks Farm
A local farmer specializing in organic table crops, specialty greens and rainbow eggs.
(Instagram @tb_farmer301)
 
Gracefully Rustic Woodworks
Phil Brower is locally based in Poolesville. Specializing in rustic, reclaimed wood decor and live edge charcuterie and cutting boards. All wood is locally sourced. Custom orders welcome.
(Facebook @gracefully_rustic_woodworks)
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Featured vendors
 
Tamara’s Bites
Chef Tamara works all week to provide the market with the best baked goods. Based in Dickerson, Tamara makes sweet treats guaranteed to make any dinner party, special occasion, or even cheat meal simply amazing.
(Facebook @tamarasbites)
 

Max’s Microgreens
Owner Max Knight is a Poolesville High School graduate who loves trying new things. After extensive research on microgreens, he kick-started an amazing business at only 18. Microgreens are the first 10-14 days of a plant’s growth, and they are high in antioxidants. While the science behind microgreens is fascinating, you can also have them on anything for dinner, whether it’s tacos, burgers, pizza, or grilled cheese.
(Instagram @maxs.microgreens)
 
Hen & Hearth
Acclaimed local chef Elise Wendland transports her farm kitchen directly to patrons by offering fresh, locally-sourced bakery products. Nestled in the heart of the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve, Hen & Hearth kitchen produces an extensive variety of baked goods, capable of fulfilling large- or small-scale orders. Molding her extensive culinary expertise with hearty, rustic, farm fresh ingredients from local agricultural producers, chef Wendland can customize products to your operational needs.
(Instagram @chefelisew)
 
Savage Acres Farm
 
Located in Dickerson on a multi-generational family farm, Savage Acres provides local grassfed beef and pork from farm to the plate. The farm also produces heritage corn flour straight from the field. Corn grown on the farm is ground into fresh blue and red corn flours. Grab some burgers for your grill or a steak to celebrate. Depending on your location, you can get your farm fresh products delivered straight to your door in Poolesville or take a drive out to the country.