The Howard County Conservancy

Home
United States
Woodstock, MD
The Howard County Conservancy

The Howard County Conservancy offers year-round educational programs for adults and children, school
(1)

06/22/2026

Sisters of Bon Secours are preserving 32 acres of forest at their 313-acre retreat and conference center in Marriottsville, with the help of Howard County Government and the Howard County Conservancy.
Announced at a press conference on June 18, the forest conservation easement borders two other easements, increasing the Conservancy's total acres under conservation easement to more than 2,055.
“We are indebted to the sisters for their steadfast resolve to leave a legacy of conservation as a gift to our community,” said Meg Boyd, Conservancy executive director. “The environmental value of this conservation area cannot be overstated. Fragmentation of forests has a huge effect on biodiversity, and this easement today adds another block of permanently preserved woodland for generations to come.”
This purchase was funded by the Howard County Government’s Forest Protection Easement Program.
“A healthier environment is vital to supporting healthier communities,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “This includes forests, because they improve air and water quality, preserve wildlife habitat, reduce climate pollution, and help us build a more resilient, energy-independent Howard County."
Since 1962, the Sisters of Bon Secours have managed their Marriottsville property as a retreat and conference center, and value its forests for their serenity and habitat for native wildlife.
“For decades, the Sisters have asked a simple question: How do we care for this land not just for ourselves, but for those who come after us? That question finds its answer today, as we sign over 32 acres of our forested grounds into permanent conservation — protected for all time through the Howard County Conservancy," said Sr. Elaine Davia, U.S. Area Leader, Congregation of the Sisters of Bon Secours. “Our prayer is that the forestry easement will provide healing, comfort and renewal not only for the species that call this forest home but also for current and future generations seeking the solace and healing that nature provides.”
📸: Meg Boyd, Conservancy executive director, left, and Sr. Elaine Davia; view toward the easement, Boyd at podium, Boyd, County Executive Calvin Ball and Sr. Elaine Davia by Howard County Government

06/20/2026

Pack a blanket and picnic and relax among the trees June 25, as father-daughter team Bill and Sophie Wellington bring their unique blend of folk music, storytelling and a bit of dance to the Conservancy's orchard. Sophie's starting a nationwide tour, so catch her while you can. Watch Sophie's newest video: https://buff.ly/v5iJXhb
At intermission, Humane Gardener - Nancy Lawson talks about our bioluminescent buddies, the fireflies. Kids can make a firefly craft and play in our nature playspace. Need to cool down and fuel up? Buy a hand-made gelato bar from Ello - Maryland food truck. Admission is just $15 per vehicle, so carpool it up, friends! Register: https://buff.ly/qWNAYy9

06/17/2026

Beyond a good spade, gardeners now have a great new tool to help add native plants to their gardens. The University of Maryland Extension's interactive plant finder (so new it's still in Beta testing) allows gardeners to discover plants that fit the conditions in their gardens. Want something that helps native bees, that lives in either sun or part shade, that's drought-tolerant, deer-resistant and blooms in August? Try blue-stem goldenrod, says the extension's Native Plant Finder. Give it a go: https://buff.ly/Ef6VX1V
📸: Native plant finder result, University of Maryland Extension; milkweed and moths, Bonnie Ott; goldenrod, Tara Hope Photography

06/16/2026

Oh happy day! Today is the first day of summer camp, the Conservancy's immersive outdoor experience that sends kids home happy, tired and covered in evidence of nature. We have a few spots left in some sessions: Flying High, July 13-17; Climate Camp, Aug. 10-14. Learn more and register here: https://buff.ly/bNXynyp
📸: Campers in stream, Emily Calkins

06/13/2026

Volunteer Spotlight: Eli Greene, the Conservancy's Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps member since last August, graduated with a degree in animal science. She's learned while here that though she adores working with animals, especially Monty the owl ("a real personality," she says), she loves environmental education of humans! She recently told her father, a curriculum instructor, "I didn't mean to follow in your footsteps." She discovered her love of education by leading field trips here. "If it was a field trip, I was on it," she laughed. Thanks Eli, for finding your path with us.

06/10/2026

Thanks to everyone who attended the Conservancy's Pollinator Fest this past weekend, and to the partners who helped teach everyone about the bees, bats, beetles, birds, and butterflies that keep our planet buzzing.
The University of Maryland Entomology Insect Zoo was a huge hit, with brave kids and adults holding giant insects and tarantulas, HoCoBee City gave away all their seedlings that attract pollinators to gardens and gelato and empanadas were feasted upon.
Sending a huge round of thanks to our many volunteers, Citizen Science, Howard County Master Gardeners, University of Maryland Extension / Lauren's Garden Service & Native Plant Nursery/ Howard County Beekeepers Association / Howard County Bird Club Howard County Bee City/ The Xerces Society / University of Maryland Department of Entomology/ Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park / Howard County Conservancy Program Committee / Mike's Gelato / Tasty Empanadas/ Ian Carroll - Musician
📸: Photos by Liz Varga (except the crowd around the tarantula)

06/08/2026

Bring a picnic, a blanket and your dancing shoes to the Conservancy's Fiddlers & Fireflies on June 25, 6:30 p.m. Father-daughter musical team Bill and Sarah Wellington will entertain with songs on the fiddle, banjo and guitar, plus storytelling and dancing. There's a nature playspace for kids, as well as a firefly craft in our picnic table area. And as the evening winds down, the fireflies rise from the meadow grasses around our orchard. Sound magical? It is. Admission is only $15 per car, so carpool with your buddies. Registration recommended: https://buff.ly/MYNS0YW
📸: Kim Zaruba

06/06/2026

Need a little something sweet for your Sunday? Our garden will be buzzing with Pollinator Fest tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Conservancy's Mt. Pleasant location. The native plant garden is full of nectar for the pollinators, but humans can dine on Tasty Empanadas and Mike's Gelato while they're strolling through native plants and learning about all the pollinators that keep our world humming.
Pollinator crafts, games and activities; the University of Maryland Entomology's insect zoo, the Friends of Patapsco Mobile Nature Center and book giveaways are on tap. See hives of bees, buy native plants from Lauren's Gardens, tap your toes in the shade of the amphitheater to a fantastic one-man band. Register here: https://buff.ly/OKPuiW9
Featuring: , , , , , , , , the Howard County Conservancy Program Committee, ’sGelato ($),.md ($) and live music by
📸: Bees by Devon Kosisky, the Conservancy's beekeeper

06/05/2026

The Conservancy's staff and volunteer family feasted on and strawberries at the annual Strawberry Social in last weekend's beautiful weather. We celebrated the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who gave more than 7,000 hours this year by leading field trips, cutting invasive vines, planting trees, caring for animals, working events, gardening and making sure the Conservancy runs smoothly.
Dominic Tiburzi won our Volunteer of the Year award (the annual award given in honor of volunteer extraordinaire Carol Filipczak). Many other volunteers were honored, with lots of laughs along the way. We also honored our executive director, Meg Boyd, for 20 years of service to the Conservancy. Longtime Conservancy staffer Ann Strozyk said, "For two decades, Meg has help shape the very legacy of the Conservancy--connecting people to nature and inspiring generations to care for the world around them. Through her leadership, expertise and unwavering passion, she has guided this organization with vision and purpose." Meg, reflecting on the importance of the Conservancy's mission and its people, said, "It is an honor to lead this incredible organization that means so much to our community." To join our volunteer cadre, visit https://buff.ly/3JrpU4T

06/03/2026

Come see what all the very hungry caterpillars around the Conservancy have become; the before and after photos are shocking!
Mt. Pleasant hosts butterfly walks all summer, with experts offering identification classes and guided hikes around the property. The Conservancy's gardens have been designed to attract butterflies, and usually 69 species are spotted on our grounds every year. Walks are held on the mornings of June 20, July 7 and 25, Aug. 4 and 22, and Sept. 19. Registration is required, space is limited. Register here: https://buff.ly/JaRiYPY

Address

10520 Old Frederick Road
Woodstock, MD
21163

Telephone

+14104658877

Website

http://www.howardnature.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Howard County Conservancy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Woodstock?