Community Partnerships
The Elms partners with a wide variety of groups and individuals in the community from Boy Scouts to St. Mary's College Students, from Master Gardeners to local school students.
Annual Bernie Fowler Wade-In for Students
Elms staff supports environmental education activities at the Bernie Fowler Wade-In on the Patuxent River. Students from the Chesapeake Public Charter School and Hollywood Elementary have participated in this annual event inaugurated in 1988 at Myrtle Point Park. Elms staff member, Hester Burch, was there in 2013 to support the students' efforts and capture these pictures.
Elms staff supports environmental education activities at the Bernie Fowler Wade-In on the Patuxent River. Students from the Chesapeake Public Charter School and Hollywood Elementary have participated in this annual event inaugurated in 1988 at Myrtle Point Park. Elms staff member, Hester Burch, was there in 2013 to support the students' efforts and capture these pictures.
Elms Environmental Education Center Receives $500 Grant from the St. Mary's County Garden Club 2013.
Money was used to buy garden soil and other supplies to support our native plant nursery. In addition money was used to buy plant markers (more info about plant markers) for our native plant demonstration Gardens.
Money was used to buy garden soil and other supplies to support our native plant nursery. In addition money was used to buy plant markers (more info about plant markers) for our native plant demonstration Gardens.
The St. Mary's County Garden Club (SMCGC) Supports Area School Garden Project
The Elms works with the St. Mary's County Garden Club: connecting them with schools in need of funding for school garden projects. S.M.C.G.C. provide grants to area schools. Elms compliments the garden clubs financial support by offering free plants, use of tools and know-how.
SMCGC's letter to teachers offering grant money. (see documents)
The Elms works with the St. Mary's County Garden Club: connecting them with schools in need of funding for school garden projects. S.M.C.G.C. provide grants to area schools. Elms compliments the garden clubs financial support by offering free plants, use of tools and know-how.
SMCGC's letter to teachers offering grant money. (see documents)
Elms Vegetable Garden (started Spring 2012)
Young lettuce plants are donated by local artist/ gardener Christina Allan. They are planted by visiting students (k, 1st, 3rd, or 4th graders depending on availability) and cared for by staff and visiting 7th graders. Vegetables are harvested by overnighting 4th graders to add to their evening meal. Delicious!
Young lettuce plants are donated by local artist/ gardener Christina Allan. They are planted by visiting students (k, 1st, 3rd, or 4th graders depending on availability) and cared for by staff and visiting 7th graders. Vegetables are harvested by overnighting 4th graders to add to their evening meal. Delicious!
Elms Joins St. Mary’s College of Maryland Students for St. Mary’s College Cares Campaign April 2013—National Volunteer Month. Students picked up trash, worked in our native plant demonstration gardens and worked in the Native Plant Nursery.
Elms Contributes to Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas (MARA) Report.
MARA is a 5-year atlas (2010- 2015) documenting amphibian and reptile distributions in MD. An Elms staff member volunteers to document (written documentation and photo documentation) of the reptiles and amphibians found at Elms by students and other staff members each year of the study. (Green tree frog on picnic table at Elms)
MARA is a 5-year atlas (2010- 2015) documenting amphibian and reptile distributions in MD. An Elms staff member volunteers to document (written documentation and photo documentation) of the reptiles and amphibians found at Elms by students and other staff members each year of the study. (Green tree frog on picnic table at Elms)
Local High School classes volunteer at Elms 2013, 2014 (an annual event)
Students from Chopticon High School build gardening tables for the Elms nursery as well as other tasks surrounding the Elms nursery and other Elms programs.
In 2014 they rebuilt the fences surrounding the grow-out areas, cleaned out and repaired bird houses and made bird feeders and so much more.
Students from Chopticon High School build gardening tables for the Elms nursery as well as other tasks surrounding the Elms nursery and other Elms programs.
In 2014 they rebuilt the fences surrounding the grow-out areas, cleaned out and repaired bird houses and made bird feeders and so much more.
Great Mills High School STEM Students help at Elms (05/2011)
Stem students from GMHS worked in the Elms gardens doing much needed weeding and mulching. They also picked up trash on the property.
They found this worm snake in the mulch!
Stem students from GMHS worked in the Elms gardens doing much needed weeding and mulching. They also picked up trash on the property.
They found this worm snake in the mulch!
High School Students From Fairlead Acadamy help maintain trails
The Elms has an extensive trail system (nearly 4 miles of trail). We have trails that go around No-Name Marsh and others that go to our vernal pools and still more that go around our freshwater pond. Students help with this task annually.
The Elms has an extensive trail system (nearly 4 miles of trail). We have trails that go around No-Name Marsh and others that go to our vernal pools and still more that go around our freshwater pond. Students help with this task annually.
Master Gardeners Volunteer to Work in the Elms Native Plant Demonstration Gardens
(08/12 photo)
Other volunteers in the Native plant Demonstration Gardens
Local high school and middle school students also have helped in the Elms Native Plant Demonstration Gardens during weekend volunteer days.
Local high school and middle school students also have helped in the Elms Native Plant Demonstration Gardens during weekend volunteer days.
Elms and St. Mary's College
The Elms benefits from its close proximity to St. Mary's College of Maryland. We partner with them in many ways including: promoting and attending lectures and workshops at the college, sponsoring interns, and consulting with St. Mary's College faculty.
Example:
Free talk: Exotic Species of Insects and Plants and their Disruptive Effects on Managed Ecosystems by Dr. Michael J. Raupp at St. Mary's College, Schaefer Hall 106 February 20 from 4:40 to 6:00 p.m. Free tree seedlings to all attendees!
Picture left is of one of our interns from St. Mary's College who is working on a watershed model.
The Elms benefits from its close proximity to St. Mary's College of Maryland. We partner with them in many ways including: promoting and attending lectures and workshops at the college, sponsoring interns, and consulting with St. Mary's College faculty.
Example:
Free talk: Exotic Species of Insects and Plants and their Disruptive Effects on Managed Ecosystems by Dr. Michael J. Raupp at St. Mary's College, Schaefer Hall 106 February 20 from 4:40 to 6:00 p.m. Free tree seedlings to all attendees!
Picture left is of one of our interns from St. Mary's College who is working on a watershed model.
Save the salamander Campaign with 1st Graders (2013)
First grade students from a local school (Piney Point Elementary School) wanted to do something to help the salamanders at Elms. ATVs riders are illegally driving through the vernal pools at Elms. Salamanders gather in these pools to breed in late winter/ early spring. The eggs and the hatching salamander larvae get crushed by tires. So, these local students made posters and some of these posters were put up around the vernal pools to educate ATV riders on the destructiveness of their actions. An article also appeared in the local paper.
First grade students from a local school (Piney Point Elementary School) wanted to do something to help the salamanders at Elms. ATVs riders are illegally driving through the vernal pools at Elms. Salamanders gather in these pools to breed in late winter/ early spring. The eggs and the hatching salamander larvae get crushed by tires. So, these local students made posters and some of these posters were put up around the vernal pools to educate ATV riders on the destructiveness of their actions. An article also appeared in the local paper.
Local 1st grade students from PPES team up with the Elms in a "Save the Salamander Larvae" campaign!
The spotted salamander larvae in the Elms vernal pools were getting run over by illegal 4 wheeler activity on the property which also destroys their habit. Visiting first grade students witnessed the results of ATVs and decided they wanted to help. They made signs that were later put up in the area in the hopes that they could educate the public about this problem and persuade offenders to spare this area.
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Scouts Lend a Hand at Elms
Scouts from Troop 561 in California MD came to the Elms to help clean up after Hurricane Irene. They dug out the bridge which was covered with sand pushed up by the storm.
Scouts from Troop 561 in California MD came to the Elms to help clean up after Hurricane Irene. They dug out the bridge which was covered with sand pushed up by the storm.
The Elms Assists STEM Academy in their annual Bio Blast
Nathan Swick's and Peg Johnson's Spring Ridge 6th and 7th Graders invited Elms to participate in their annual Bio Blast ecology field trip at NAS Patuxent River. Last year's event on May 23, 2013 included 47 seventh graders and 48 sixth graders. Several Elms staff members participated in this event for both 2011 and 2012. We also lent out equipment such as field guides and canoes.
Nathan Swick's and Peg Johnson's Spring Ridge 6th and 7th Graders invited Elms to participate in their annual Bio Blast ecology field trip at NAS Patuxent River. Last year's event on May 23, 2013 included 47 seventh graders and 48 sixth graders. Several Elms staff members participated in this event for both 2011 and 2012. We also lent out equipment such as field guides and canoes.
See bio Blast student invitation here.
We support local organizations by posting their activities on our Facebook Page.
Myrtle Point Park is located in St. Mary's County on the Patuxent River near the Chesapeake Bay. The 192 acres was purchased with Maryland Open Space Program funds in 1997. At the time of the purchase, former Governor Parris Glendening said, "Myrtle Point is one of the most significant undeveloped tracts along the Patuxent River. Rich in history and natural resources, public ownership of this area will provide for public access to the river, creation of a park, and other recreational opportunities where none currently exist."
In addition to the magnificent water frontage and saltwater ponds, the Park provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife and migratory birds. The Park contains numerous historic sites, some dating back more than 9,000 years.
Myrtle Point Park is located in St. Mary's County on the Patuxent River near the Chesapeake Bay. The 192 acres was purchased with Maryland Open Space Program funds in 1997. At the time of the purchase, former Governor Parris Glendening said, "Myrtle Point is one of the most significant undeveloped tracts along the Patuxent River. Rich in history and natural resources, public ownership of this area will provide for public access to the river, creation of a park, and other recreational opportunities where none currently exist."
In addition to the magnificent water frontage and saltwater ponds, the Park provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife and migratory birds. The Park contains numerous historic sites, some dating back more than 9,000 years.
The Elms nursery provides plants to neighboring county Calvert County Organizations.
Learn more: See Project Supports.
Learn more: See Project Supports.
Ron Wexler Orphan Wildlife Rescue Center
Since its founding in 1990, the Orphaned Wildlife Rescue Center (OWRC) has helped rescue over 20,000 animals. Located on R.G. (Doc) Wexler's three-acre home (Lusby MD) , the Center rescues all animals - from mice to deer to porpoises. OWRC operates under a strict "no-kill" policy and will help any animal. The public and local veterinarians refer forty to sixty percent of the animals; the remainder of the animals come in from animal control and the local police. OWRC is the only facility in Maryland equipped to rescue wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay. Sea turtles, osprey, and pelicans are among the water wildlife seen by OWRC.
Since its founding in 1990, the Orphaned Wildlife Rescue Center (OWRC) has helped rescue over 20,000 animals. Located on R.G. (Doc) Wexler's three-acre home (Lusby MD) , the Center rescues all animals - from mice to deer to porpoises. OWRC operates under a strict "no-kill" policy and will help any animal. The public and local veterinarians refer forty to sixty percent of the animals; the remainder of the animals come in from animal control and the local police. OWRC is the only facility in Maryland equipped to rescue wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay. Sea turtles, osprey, and pelicans are among the water wildlife seen by OWRC.
This amazing double-crested cormorant was rescued at Elms. OWRC was able to remove a fishing hook from its beak and it was soon ready for release. Here it is on the day it returned to the wild.
Elms Partners with the Southern Maryland Audubon Society
Southern Maryland Audubon Society uses the Elms as one of its sites for the annual bird counts in December of every year.
They also use our site to offer exciting night-time Owl Prowls.
Southern Maryland Audubon Society uses the Elms as one of its sites for the annual bird counts in December of every year.
They also use our site to offer exciting night-time Owl Prowls.
High School Workshop at Elms on Wildlife Aging and Sexing Techniques and Bird Banding.
Natural Resource Management students in John Spinicchia's class from the SMCPS Forrest Career and Technology Center participated in workshops at Elms led by staff from the neighboring Naval Air Station Patuxent River Natural Resources Department. Kyle Rambo directed a herp search and taught wildlife aging and sexing, set up mist nets and explained bird banding.
Natural Resource Management students in John Spinicchia's class from the SMCPS Forrest Career and Technology Center participated in workshops at Elms led by staff from the neighboring Naval Air Station Patuxent River Natural Resources Department. Kyle Rambo directed a herp search and taught wildlife aging and sexing, set up mist nets and explained bird banding.