Gunpowder Valley Takes Next Step with Grant Money

Green Communities Join Together to Clean Up Local Waterways

by Mike Smith & Cheryl Vosburg

Project Underway in Bowley’s Quarters, Hawthorne, Wilson Point

Modeled after the successful Jennifer Branch Project in Carney and Cub Hill, the Clear Creeks project is a community-wide undertaking to reduce stormwater runoff in targeted communities in the Gunpowder watershed. Clear Creeks’ motto--“Clear Creeks: Our Water, Our Heritage, Our Pride” and “See Your Feets in Our Creeks” was jointly conceived by project leaders with significant community input and backing from Bowley’s Quarters, Hawthorne, and Wilson Point.

The intensive grassroots focus that has been implemented on many levels is one of the reasons the green solution projects are so well received. Residents are educated about hands-on projects like “Bayscape” gardens they can do in their own backyards, impacting the BMP bottom line while increasing neighborhood and community pride.  Earning designation as a “Bay-wise certified yard” can even improve home resale value.

Deb Lancaster of Edgemere said, “The Jennifer Branch was an amazing project to become involved with. It opened a new doors and opportunities to feel a connection with nature and neighbors.” She adds: “There are many people who want to make a difference but don’t know how or have very little formal knowledge; having a roadmap showing how to implement improvements that actually make a difference is so helpful.”

The training and volunteer oversight is  provided by
the local non-profit Gunpowder Conservancy, which will administer the project over the next two years, supported by funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Chesapeake Bay Trust and other partners.

According to Peggy Perry, Gunpower Valley's Program
Director of Education and Restoration, “there was a tremendous response to the GVC invitation to Middle River and Tidal Gunpowder watershed residents to get involved in preserving, protecting, and restoring our local creeks and Bay.” Kick-off events like the one last month held at Marshy Point Nature Center are meant to educate and solicit community participation. This includes workshops, many of which are conducted by Master Gardeners who provide multiple introductory talks on Bay-wise practices.

GVC follows up with attendees who show interest in rain barrels, rain gardens, edible landscapes, buffers, future
volunteering to plant community trees, and adopting local creeks. Perry adds, “GVC is responding immediately and looks forward to working closely with those who have signed up for any Bay-Wise practice or future restoration
activity." 

Over the course of two years, the grant will allow the Clear Creeks Project to engage 700 residents in citizen-based water restoration strategies that will improve the water quality of Middle River and Tidal Gunpowder waterways. Plans include planting 800  trees on 4 acres, removing 2,000 lbs. of trash from waterways, adopting 10 creeks, and certifying 24 Bay-Wise residential properties among others.

There is excitement around the “See Your Feets” vision to work toward the day when “we’ll be able to see our feet below us in four or five feet of water (Dan Doerfer, Wilson Point) and restore our proud Chesapeake ways.” Deb Lancaster adds, “every time I look around and see that something in my neighbor has changed positively I know my little part made a difference.”

The Gunpowder Valley Conservancy (GVC) is a non-profit organization which mobilizes people and resources to care
for the lands, waters and character of the Gunpowder Watershed, which drains nto the Chesapeake Bay. Its emphasis is on land preservation, restoration, stream cleanups and education. To learn more or get involved, see:  www.clearcreeks.org