News

Seneca Creek Watershed Partners has a new Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Seneca-Creek-Watershed-Partners-104298247975989/ Check it out!

We are working to remove the old FB pages.

by Laura Friend

As terrible as the COVID19 pandemic is, it gives us all a chance to re-evaluate and possibly create a new paradigm shift of our community’s attitudes. We have a chance to re-center what we base our economy on. Either we go back to the status quo or change it for the better. A creative, resilient people can turn any lemon of a situation into lemonade.

For example, we can direct our efforts toward:

• Improving human health for all, which lowers the current and future pandemic risks for all
• Improving ecosystem health, which promotes resilience to climate change impacts
• Promoting green landscaping programs such as Rainscapes & other ecosystem friendly methods to address stormwater
• Building up community gardens and the “Food Forest” to reduce food insecurity and the environmental impacts of our global food markets
• Change how we look at natural areas and watersheds to a more holistic view

In times past, the environment has often been under-appreciated by the many due to accepted norms. COVID19 has given us a chance to shift this. More people are spending time outside surrounded by nature, and telecommuting has reduced air & water pollution. We can either go back to the former rat race of an economy based on “Producing & Consuming” or it could blossom into something grander with goodness beyond comprehension- an economy based on “Healthy Ecosystems & People.”

Mere words alone cannot explain nature’s complexities & health. These are better captured and understood when we interact with all our sensory systems in a fully functioning ecosystem. As the future comes flying towards us, it will not be enough for Marylanders to know only parts of things. It will be crucial that we understand all the parts of our planet, big & small, as one unit, with charity & balanced innovation. 

So, let’s get busy. What will burst forth from each of our efforts?

🍃 Laura Friend

Laura is a director of Seneca Creek Watershed Partners.

The City of Gaithersburg Department of Public Works is implementing a stream realignment and reinforcement project for Whetstone Run and Watkins Mill Run within Blohm Park. The construction phase is scheduled to begin late spring 2020 and continue into the fall. Replanting the area with native trees and shrubs will begin once the new control structures are complete.

Note that Blohm Park will be closed during the construction.

https://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/government/projects-in-the-city/watkins-mill-road-and-travis-avenue-stream-restoration-project

Did you know that when you shop at smile.amazon.com you can generate AmazonSmile donations for Muddy Branch Alliance Inc? Check it out! We appreciate your support!

We have worked with the City of Gaithersburg and several scout troops, to get approval and install informational kiosks along the Muddy Branch. One of these is in Malcolm King Park, and the other is in the Lakelands. At this time we are looking for input on what information could be made available. We believe maps, and information about the stream’s health is important. Are there other things?

We welcome the three new Directors that were elected to our board during our April 27 Annual Meeting. The new Directors are Mary Hlavinka, Olivia Ryder, and Steven Paul (in photo below).

In addition, several board members extended their terms on the Board. To view the full list of current Board members, you may find them on the About Us tab on our website.

A student from Gaithersburg High School created this wonderful map of the Muddy Branch Watershed, including the location of the Muddy Branch Trail, both within the City of Gaithersburg and to the Potomac through the County Park Land. Have you visited the trail today? Now’s your chance! Click here to download the map to your computer or device.

Please take note of this important planning process in the City of Gaithersburg.

Gaithersburg, as an incorporated city, is subject to the Land Use Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Land Use Division 1, §3-301(a) Plan Revisions requires the City’s comprehensive master plan to be reviewed and if necessary revised and amended at least once every 10 years. Land Use Division I, §3-102(a)(1)(i) Elements-Municipal Corporations requires the City to include a Community Facilities Element into the comprehensive plan.

Parks, Recreation & Culture is the second element of the 2018 Master Plan Update to be reviewed. This Element is an amendment to the 2003 Community Facilities Element. Parks, Recreation & Culture will present recommendations for the City’s continued parks, recreation, and cultural arts programming while being consistent with the State and City visions. The Element addresses City’s mission, as defined in the Annual Strategic Plan, by providing recommendations for future development, programs, and actions within the City in a sustainable manner that will meet the leisure, fitness, cultural, and other quality-of-life needs of Gaithersburg residents. Public comment is invited prior to and during the joint public hearing on the Parks, Recreation & Culture Element.

Process Status
The City has been receiving comments on the plan from those interested in Parks and land use in the City. A Joint Public Hearing for MP-1-19 is scheduled for Monday, May 6, 2019. Testimony will be taken during this public hearing. Comments may be submitted in writing while the Planning Commission and City Council records remain open either in person at City Hall, emailed to [email protected], or mailed to this address: City of Gaithersburg Planning Department, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.

• Index of Memoranda
• Exhibit 1 – Public Hearing Draft Element
• Exhibits 2 – 5

This little redbud tree was one of the 350 bare-root native trees we gave away last spring.  It may not look like much yet, but in a few years it will be beautiful. Bare-root trees if planted and protected will thrive and over time out perform larger, root-bound trees grown in pots.  (See photo of mature redbuds.)

We have 350 native trees to give away — up to 10 trees per household with a preference for residents living in the Muddy Branch or Seneca Creek watersheds.  Trees will be available sometime in March or April, with the exact date determined by the weather.  If you want to be informed when the trees become available, email [email protected].  
Since trees are bare root, they must be planted as soon as possible after being picked up — ideally that day. Trees will also need deer protection. We generally receive 50 each of seven different tree species.  These are the trees requested for this spring: 50 buttonbush, 50 baldcypress, 50 river birch, 50 loblolly pine, 50 gray dogwood, 50 serviceberry, 50 white oak.  We cannot promise we’ll get the above trees as usually there are at least a few substitutions of species based on what grew best over the past year.
This year Bonnie Bell (our beaver speaker at last month’s MBA meeting) will help by distributing some of the tree seedlings from Seneca State Park for those who live closer to that location than to Merikay’s home at 14909 Spring Meadows Drive, Darnestown. Merikay attempts to give all the trees away in one or two days after she gets them to optimize their being fresh and successfully transplanted to your garden.
This is the 5th year Merikay Smith has led the native tree give away.  In that time approximately 1,700 native trees have been planted through this program in our watershed area, providing habitat, cleaner water and reduced flooding.  With trees given away before then and also those planted along the Muddy Branch trail, more than 2,000 native trees benefiting the Muddy Branch and Seneca Creek watersheds have been planted by people like you.  Thank you!

In the spirit of resolving to make positive changes in the new year, we polled our Muddy Branch Alliance board members and partners to gather our 2019 Top Ten New Year’s Resolution.  If we all make just a few of these changes, we will help improve water quality and/or improve the quality of our local watersheds. Join us!

#1) BYOM – “Bring Your Own Mug”! Bring your own coffee mug to Starbucks (Get $.50 back), and use reusable water bottles, instead of using paper coffee cups and single-use water bottles.

#2) Lend a hand and get connected! We host several trail work and “Weed Warrior” events each year. Our special focus in 2019: Work with the City and County to expand our park system and increase accessibility. For example, expand and connect existing paths and recreation areas, such as Fallen Oaks and Conservation Lane to improve the trail and make it possible to walk or bike from RT 28 to the Rio and back.

#3) Get covered! Use covered recycling bins – or trade your smaller bins for the larger, covered bin – to prevent wind from blowing your recyclables down the streets and into the drains and streams.

#4) Trim as you go! Take a hike (or run) along our trails and trim overgrown vines as you go. 

#5) Go Native! Plant native plants and trees on your property, or work with your property management to request they plant native trees near your home, if possible. Muddy Branch Alliance gives away free native trees each spring — check our website in March for details.

#6) Reduce run-off! Reduce the amount of lawn on your property and replace it with native plants or permeable hardscape.  Make a rain garden filled with native perennials and trees and get rid of all that grass!

#7) Post the beauty!  Share images of Muddy Branch trail and surrounding wildlife with others by posting photos each time you visit, using our Facebook or Instagram account (Details coming soon!).

#8) Educate and energize youth! Take your kids (if you do not have any, borrow some) on a short road trip or hike and SHOW them what a Watershed is first-hand (rather than just showing it on the map) to increase the WOW factor. All of our trail events are family-friendly, and students earn SSL hours!

#9) Pick it up! In the spirit of John Stokke, a local hero, if you see trash and you’re able, pick it up. Wondering what to give friends and family who have everything? Give the gift of a pick-up stick with instructions and opportunities for use.

#10) Give thanks! Remember, acknowledge, and support the good work of our volunteers by making a donation or becoming a member of the Muddy Branch Alliance (Or support the Watts Branch Watershed Alliance, Seneca Creek Watershed Partners or Clean Water Management group of your choice). Thank you!