(4/1) Catoctin Mountain Park will commemorate Earth Day with a series of events celebrating the park’s year-round commitment to environmental education, youth engagement and universally accessible park facilities.
Park Steward Field Day – Camp Greentop, Friday, April 20
The weekend will start with a Park Stewards Field Day at Camp Greentop beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, April 20. The Park Stewards program, funded by a grant from the National Park Foundation, allowed 50 International Baccalaureate biology and physics students from North Hagerstown High School to learn about the consequences of alien invasive plants during an overnight
encampment last October. The students developed activities based on concepts taught by Bridging the Watershed educators and by National Park Service Rangers. The North High students will use these modules to teach 100 North Hagerstown Middle School students about alien invasive plants.
Trail Maintenance – Saturday, April 21
Saturday’s activities will focus on trail maintenance. Local Boy Scouts will work with Park Rangers to clear debris from park trails and correct erosion problems. Catoctin is encouraging volunteer involvement in trail maintenance as a cost-effective way to keep trails safe for visitors, protect park resources and get the public moving outdoors.
Spicebush Nature Trail Ribbon Cutting – Chestnut Picnic Area, 11 am, Sunday, April 22
The weekend’s culminating event will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly resurfaced Spicebush Nature Trail at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 22. The .3 mile long trail, located in Chestnut Picnic Area was built in the 1970’s as an accessible nature trail. An Active Trails grant from the National Park Foundation allowed park staff to purchase wood carpet, an innovative,
natural appearing alternative to asphalt. The asphalt was removed and the wood carpet installed by the Harpers Ferry Job Corps with assistance from Boy Scout Troop 270 and administrative support from the Catoctin Forest Alliance.
The public is invited to the ribbon cutting recognizing the contributions of the individuals and organizations that made this project possible and the ceremonial first walk. Expected attendees include League for People with Disabilities, veterans from the Martinsbug VA Hospital, the Harpers Ferry Job Corps and BSA Troop 270. Attendees are asked to RSVP Debbie Mills at
301-663-9388 by April 15.
Wildflower Walks – Owens Creek Picnic Area, Sundays April 22 and May 13
Join a ranger at the Brown’s Farm Trail in Owens Creek Picnic Area at 1:00 p.m. on Sundays, April 22 or May 13 for an interpretive wildflower walk. Together, you will explore an easy ˝ mile trail that meanders through several types of habitat. The ranger will acquaint you with the flowers that are blooming, and will tell you why they are so particular about where they grow
and when they flower.
