2007, 2008, 2009, Removing Invasive Species and Reforesting at the CEC

The Invasive Species Removal/Reforestation Project, arranged by the CEC and implemented by Anne Arundel County's Forestry Program, began in the summer of 2007. The extensive work conducted by Greenskeeper Environmental (landscape contractor for Anne Arundel County) over several days in 2007 and 2008, and continuing in 2009, has transformed the forest buffer and greatly enhanced the on-going CEC restoration projects at Adams Academy. As part of this effort, numerous volunteers and students have participated in learning about and planting native trees and shrubs. Great strides have been made to remove invasive species and reforest the riparian forest buffer along the tidal headwaters of College Creek covering approximately 5 acres (of the 10-acre campus), as well as enhance the CEC Native Plant Demonstration Gardens and Sites. Approximately 1,400 native trees and shrubs have been planted; and additional trees and shrubs will be added in the fall of 2009. Photos of the event are posted on Picasa. .

April 2, 2009 CEC Volunteer Day & Videotaping by Maryland Public Television

Our first major volunteer day of the season was a huge success! The weather cooperated, and it turned out to be a beautiful day! CEC volunteers and staff were joined by enthusiastic volunteers including: nine students, principal Jeff Tillar, teachers Monica McDonald, Robert Scarborough, and Michael Adams, all from Adams Academy; Jeff Schwartz, the owner, and three crew members from Greenskeeper Environmental; and seven Master Gardeners. Marilyn and Tim from Maryland Public Television filmed all of the various activities spread out over a large expanse in the front portion of the campus; and they conducted several filmed interviews. We thank Adams Academy staff and students, Master Gardeners, Greenskeeper Environmental and their crew, CEC volunteers and staff, and, of course, Maryland Public Television! Photos of the event are posted on Picasa. .

May 3, 2007, Cigna Volunteer Session at the CEC

We thank the 40 Cigna volunteers—from several states throughout the country—so very much!  The Thursday, May 3rd, volunteer session at the Chesapeake Ecology Center (CEC) was one of the best and most helpful volunteer experiences we’ve had!  What a great group; we had great weather; and we accomplished so much!    After a brief tour of the 20 Native Plant Demonstration Gardens and Sites, folks got busy planting, transplanting, weeding, hauling and adding mulch to several gardens.  Volunteers transplanted plants in the forewings of the butterfly-shaped Butterfly Garden, weeded, and added mulch; added plants to the Coneflower Xeriscape Garden; completely weeded the Native Grass Garden; added mulch to the Bayscape Garden; hauled and spread several truck loads of wood chips in the Riparian Forest Buffer; watered plants, etc.  Also, we were very fortunate to be joined by CEC volunteers--Terry Galloway and Ricky Meyer.  Having a group of volunteers join us from states throughout the nation was a first, and it was a wonderful experience!

April 22, 2007, Earth Day Tree Planting with Governor Martin O'Malley

The Earth Day Tree Planting at the Chesapeake Ecology Center, in honor of the 37th Annual Earth Day, was a very special occasion thanks to the participation of Governor Martin O'Malley and many others!  We also greatly appreciate the participation of Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold, Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John Griffin, Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Shari Wilson, Chesapeake Bay Trust Chairman of the Board Midgett Parker, DNR Director of Urban Forestry Michael Galvin, staff and students from Adams Academy and Bates middle schools, the CEC Board of Directors, and the numerous volunteers.  The Adams Academy Principal Jeff Tillar, Assistant Principal Shawn Ashworth, and the teachers and students of Adams Academy are grateful and thrilled to have had this event at their school!    The Chesapeake Ecology Center—which is based at Adams Academy—has worked steadily since 2002 to increase Maryland’s Urban Tree Canopy.  We have created over 20 Native Plant Demonstration Gardens and Sites at Adams Academy in cooperation with CEC members, volunteers, community groups, teachers, and students to provide environmental education, and, at the same time, develop on-the-ground habitat restoration and protection projects.  The Earth Day planting of native trees and shrubs by more than 100 students and volunteers was truly a wonderful event!