November/December 2015 - Supporting Oregon Ridge Park TRAILBLAZERJanuary 2016 and Nature Center for 32 years

ORNC Council Speaker Series

NOVEMBER SPEAKER TO BE ANNOUNCED

November 16, 7:30 PM

Stay tuned for more information about our November speaker. You will be receiving an e-announcement very soon, giving all the details. It is free and guaranteed to be interesting. Eastern Golden Eagles: WHAT’S INSIDE Maryland’s Other Eagle By Dave Brinker Annual Report 2014-15 Monday, January 18, 7:30 PM ORNC Picks Pileated Woodpecker as Logo Most Marylander’s know that the Bald Eagle has made a tremendous come back around the Chesapeake Bay, with nests now in every Maryland County. However, few citizens of the Free State realize that another eagle Pipeline Update species frequents Maryland, and that Maryland has an important role in the conservation of this second eagle — the Golden Eagle. Something New! The Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group was formed in November 2010 ORNC Does to improve conservation of Golden Eagles in the Eastern U.S. and Canada. Dave Birthday Parties Brinker is the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) representative in the working group. During his presentation, complete with beautiful photos, Meet Ridge Runner listeners will learn the answers to many questions about Maryland’s Golden Eagles. Where is the best place and when is the best time to observe a Golden Zi Smith Eagle? Why is Maryland important to Golden Eagle conservation? Who are the partners in the working group? What is this collaborative group of scientists New Class of doing to see that the eastern population of Golden Eagles is sustainable? Master Naturalists (Continued on page 2)

Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council, 410-887-1815; www.oregonridgenaturecenter.org; TDD/Deaf 410-887-5319 Eastern Golden Eagles (Continued from front page)

Dave Brinker is the Maryland DNR each spring working on the population Natural Heritage Program Central demographics of Northern Goshawks Region Ecologist. He has spent over 30 in the central Appalachians. The years working on wildlife conservation development of the Maryland Natural in Maryland. Much of his free time is Areas effort was one of Dave’s recent spent working on independent raptor initiatives with the Natural Heritage research projects. Dave is the founder Program, and he continues to be and co-director of Project Owlnet (www. responsible for monitoring Maryland’s ProjectOwlnet.org), a continent-wide colonial nesting water birds as part of collaborative effort that seeks to better his work for the Department of Natural understand owl migration. He’s a Resources. Dave frequently lectures on leading principal in Project SNOWstorm many followers as the team tracked these projects and others related to bird (www.ProjectSNOWstorm.org), another Snowy Owls during the winters of 2014 conservation and education in Maryland collaborative effort that has thrilled and 2015. Dave also spends part of and the Mid-Atlantic.

MORE FUN CALENDAR Birthday Parties EVENTS at Oregon Ridge Nature Center BIRDING FOR BEGINNERS meets the 2nd Friday each month 9 AM to 10:30 PM arty Animals NATURE BOOK CLUB P ! meets 11/16 Celebrate your birthday Book: Animated Earth like a party animal! HOLIDAY EVENTS

Engaging activities, games, and Wreath Making live encounters with animals! Dec. 5 & 6, 1 PM Natural Parties are 2-hours long with Ornament Making 1-hour of fun and exciting indoor/ outdoor naturalist led activities Dec. 12 & 13, 1 PM and 1-hour of self-led celebration Gingerbread Houses and cake. Dec. 19 & 20, 1 PM

Cost: TRAIL GUIDE TRAINING Members: $225 FEB. 2-5, 2016 Non-members: $250 10 AM - 1 PM Topics: Maple Sugaring, Booking opens November 18th! Amphibians/Reptiles, Piedmont Plants, Birds

See our online calendar For more information, contact the nature center at: 410-887-1815 or call ORNC for details www.oregonridgenaturecenter.org • [email protected] on these programs.

Page 2 ORNCC Trailblazer | Nov ‘15 - Jan ‘16 2015 OREGON RIDGE NATURE CENTER COUNCIL 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT By President Pat Ghingher

The end of August marked the close of numbers of attendees. The series will several trail kiosks. Many thanks to all the 2014 – 2015 fiscal year for the Oregon continue this year on Monday nights. that helped make ORNC a better place. Ridge Nature Center Council. Here is a The speakers will present varied topics, The future has us looking forward to review of the year’s highlights and a look at including the benefits of nature on mental more exciting improvements. Plans are the Council’s plans for the future. health, a peek through the looking glass in motion for a new indoor interactive The Council now has a membership of at birds, discovering a city park with an electronic kiosk and an improved over 500 people. Donations to the Council amazing variety of animals, and recent woodpecker exhibit. Outside the Nature have continued to increase. As always, our research by a DNR employee. Center, we are looking forward to a new greatest attribute was the 550 volunteers Scholarships were once again awarded Woodland Garden. Two ambitious, that supported our activities. Our volunteers to graduating high school students that large projects will be completed by the fulfill important needs at the Nature Center. demonstrated academic excellence and a Council during the upcoming year. Without them, the Center would not be the commitment to pursue environmentally First, the library will be renovated to wonderful place that it is today. Volunteers related college degrees. A total of $13,000 was become a multipurpose room. Books trail guided for school trips, helped ORNC awarded to five students. It is the generosity will continue to play an important staff plan and organize the well-attended of individuals from the ORNC community role in the room and there will be an programs and camps, and helped design, that make these scholarships possible. improved children’s reading area. There create, and maintain the gardens. They also The Council provided the opportunity will also be a new sink and cabinets organized and staffed the very popular special for the ORNC staff to attend three for much needed storage. Secondly, a events: Honey Harvest, Halloween Spooky conferences this year: the Maryland new pavilion will be built to provide a Walks, Holiday Party and Wreath Making, Association for Environmental and covered area for programs and special Maple Sugar Weekends, Pancake Breakfast, Outdoor Educators, Association for Nature events. It will have electricity, running Music in the Woods, and the members’ Center Administrators, and the Maryland water, and rain barrels. Summer Picnic. In addition, volunteers Recreation and Parks Association. The staff I want to thank the Executive Board worked on repairing trails, building fences, brings home many ideas for programs, members for their dedication to making removing invasive species, and building a program implementation, and center all of this possible. Lastly, I want to thank new Aviary. The volunteers at ORNC come management from these conferences; they all Council members, staff, volunteers, and from many different groups, including have proved to be valuable resources. donors that make our activities at Oregon Council members, Ridge Runners, Trail One of the most notable improve- Ridge possible. It is your commitment to Blazers, Bluebird Trail Monitors, Eagle ments to the Nature Center this past and interest in the events and programs Scouts, local business organizations, Master year was the roof repair, performed by that ensures the continued level of quality Naturalists, and school groups. the County after the Council and staff that is demonstrated at the Oregon Ridge The ORNC website is managed and joined together to raise awareness of this Nature Center and Park. maintained by the Board. This task is urgent need. The Council, the staff and time consuming and requires a great deal visitors to the Center are thankful that of technical knowledge. It is constantly the building is once again watertight. A updated with current information and beautiful mural was added to the Animal points of interest. If you have not visited Room. In addition there were new the website, please take a moment to check exhibits added and improvements made it out. You can even download a trail map to existing ones. Members of the Trail so you won’t get lost while hiking! Blazers team worked very hard this year COUNCIL MEMBERS, The bi-monthly Trailblazer newsletter to repair and improve the many trails CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS continued to keep the ORNC community on the grounds at ORNC. Along with AT OUR ANNUAL informed of events, current topics, and other volunteers, they removed invasive CHRISTMAS PARTY! important information. A great deal of plants in many areas of the park. The work goes into producing the newsletter, Eagle Scouts completed many projects at and it is always topnotch. ORNC this year. They fenced in two of December 11 at 6 PM The monthly Speaker Series at the gardens, built an aviary, created two Admission: Something ORNC continued to provide outstanding new rain gardens, improved elements tasty to share if you can. presentations that regularly drew large of the children’s play area, and installed

ORNCC Trailblazer | Nov ‘15 - Jan ‘16 Page 3 Master Naturalists Spring 2015 Class

the program hoping for an experience that would allow me to bring the community and myself closer to nature. Both the instructors and trainees were enthusiastic about the program. The material covered by the program offered an excellent foundation of knowledge and was presented by expert instructors. I met, and remain in contact with, fantastic volunteers who help steward Maryland’s ecosystems and educate the community. Since my involvement with the Maryland Master Naturalists began, I have been given opportunities to develop ORNC Master Naturalist Class like to acknowledge Alisa Anania, Anna and present interpretive programming, 6 completed training in May, along Beard, Lyn Brooks, Gail Burns, George maintain park environments, and with a separate class with Lake Roland Cummings, Tim Hardy, Bonny Jasinski, explore some of the ecological research (formerly known as Robert E. Lee Park). Carol Johnston, Nicole O’Hara, Julius happening in Maryland. I cannot express During the 60-hour training time, the Patellis, Alan Penczek, Ned Renner, enough gratitude for all the people class completed a variety of projects: Anne Walker, and Sara Yosua for their involved in making this program a reality a native bee house in the meadow, a participation in this program. The next and encourage anyone interested in mushroom exhibit, certification as a training will be Spring 2016, so inquire Maryland’s natural resources and ecology monarch butterfly waystation, better trail in December about the application to consider participating in the Master crossings, wishing wells, HOP game in process. The following is a testimonial Naturalist program. the play area and a great start in planning from Julius Patellis, one of the 2015 for the future Woodland Garden. trainees and current staff member: Spring 2016 training runs April This class of 14 is now on their way of 4 to May 23, and on two Saturdays: completing the 40 hours of community My experience with the Maryland April 16 and May 21. Time: 9 AM to service needed to be certified as an official Master Naturalist program has been 3:30 PM entire session. Please inquire in Maryland Master Naturalist. We would overwhelmingly positive. I applied for December about the application process.

EAGLE SCOUT HELPS CHECKERSPOTS WHAT’S COMING UP? Congratulations to Arthur Daniels Arthur worked to design, build and on the completion of his Checkerspot plant a garden with host plants for the Maple Sugar Weekends Waystation Garden Eagle Scout Project. Baltimore Checkerspot garden. Feb. 20, 21, 27, 28 10 AM - 4 PM

Annual Pancake Breakfast March 5 & 6 8 AM - Noon

Music in the Woods June 4 New Time: 2 -8 PM Lots of Music, ending with s’mores around the campfire.

Page 4 Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council’s Trailblazer | Nov ‘15 - Jan ‘16 NEW PIPELINE THROUGH OREGON RIDGE: Part 2 By Jim Curtis

Since our last newsletter, the Executive Board of the In the next month, we will be contacting the Baltimore Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council has made some progress County government and the Federal Energy Regulatory in learning about the pipeline project. Also, we have witnessed Commission to learn more about the clearing and grading, the the start of construction of the staging areas along Shawan timber harvest, the proper contacts, the planned mitigation, Road. Columbia Gas has answered several of the questions and the compensation. We also have some new concerns about noted in my last article. whether the paved staging areas will be removed in 2017 or remain as parking lots for the ball fields and the restaurant. • When will the clearing and grading begin? Stay tuned for the next report. Tentative earliest project construction start date for the pipeline is March 21st, 2016 – However, grading, clearing and paving has already begun on the staging areas. Baltimore County is allowing Columbia Gas to utilize 17 acres of parkland for their staging areas.

• How long will the hiking trails be closed? Columbia Gas reports that each trail may be closed only for a day or two during construction, but this may not include the initial clearing and grading.

• How long will the staging areas be used? Columbia Gas reports that the staging areas will be in use through 2017.

• Will the staging areas require the removal of the community garden? No, it looks like we can keep the gardens.

• What construction method will be used to cross the streams and wetlands? The streams will be crossed with a temporary dam and pump around method.

TRAILBLAZER STAFF Editor/Design/Layout: Mary Jane Shanks CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE

Writers: Jim Curtis, Pat Ghingher, MJ Shanks, Winny Tan, Maddie Zins Photographers: Jim Curtis, ORNC staff

OREGON RIDGE NATURE CENTER 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville 21030 410-887-1815 [email protected]; www.oregonridgenaturecenter.org Articles/graphics for Feb/March issue due 1/5/16. Color versions of the Trailblazer are on our website.

Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council’s Trailblazer | Nov ‘15 - Jan ‘16 Page 5 ORNC PICKS PILEATED WOODPECKER FOR ITS NEW LOGO By Maddie Zins

Oregon Ridge Nature Center’s new itself to collapse. An example of this gets to seasonal migration and could be logo features a native, keystone species, is the famous grey wolf of Yellowstone a result of limited available roosting sites the Pileated Woodpecker. Most hikers in National Park. When wolf populations for the species. Locating roosting sites is the Park have captured a glimpse of the drastically decreased there in the early a continuing hardship for the Pileated. iconic red cap of the Pileated, or heard 1920s to a point of extinction, deer It was commonly believed in the early its high-pitched calls or unique drilling populations skyrocketed, affecting the 1990s that this woodpecker only needed pattern echo through the woods. News of abundance of the vegetation in the area snags (standing, dead trees) for nesting. a sighting almost always makes it back to and leading to overall deforestation More recent findings, however, have the Nature Center. The excitement that and collapse. indicated that these birds need a variety surrounds seeing Pileated Woodpeckers Without the insect eating Pileated of tree types, including decaying snags of at Oregon Ridge makes it the perfect Woodpecker, the insect population various tree species for roosting and live, choice for our new logo. would increase and there would be lush trees for nesting. The Pileated is the largest woodpecker a decrease in leafy vegetation and in Because the Pileated is so particular in North America (about the size of a predators of the Pileated Woodpecker, about its nesting and roosting needs, crow). It is often heard drilling large, such as the Barred Owl. The Pileated finding a habitat region that features such rectangular holes in the sides of trees Woodpecker’s activity also indirectly a breadth of tree types can be difficult. (and often of homes and buildings) to affects other animal species, through Without locations such as Oregon Ridge hunt for insects and to build its nests. cavity formation. Byproducts of its Park, the pileated population numbers It is a non-migratory bird, so it can foraging habits — the cavities it forms may decline, as they have in the past be spotted or heard all year round in in trees — allow smaller, weaker species during mass logging activities. We our park and elsewhere in Maryland. to use these holes to capture insects can help pileated population levels by Pileated Woodpeckers prefer deciduous and feed themselves. The absence preserving standing deadwood in forested forested areas, like those throughout of Pileated activity would decrease areas. If your property has a dying tree that Oregon Ridge Park, yet they will also survival chances for these other animals is not a hazard to your home’s structural inhabit coniferous forests so long as the (smaller birds, other woodpeckers, wellbeing, consider leaving the decaying trees provide enough carpenter ants, small owls and other raptors, bats, tree standing as a natural habitat for forest beetle larvae, flies, caterpillars, and other squirrels, rats). It also creates cavities creatures. It is likely that in no time at all, insects for the bird to eat. Old growth each spring when it builds its annual you may hear the high-pitched, piping forests tend to attract the Pileated, but nest in mostly older, large, strong calls and loud drumming thumps of they will concede and nest in younger trees (primarily deciduous), yet each Pileated Woodpeckers right in your own trees if insect abundance is high. Pileated woodpecker and its monogamous backyard. Woodpeckers are partial to larger forests mate will abandon the site, allowing It is not difficult to see why Oregon (particularly in regards to breeding) with for other animals to inhabit it. Ridge Nature Center chose such an high levels of canopy cover. Like most animals, Pileated animal as its logo. After being involved As a keystone species, the Pileated Woodpeckers exhibit some strange here for only a few months, I can already plays an integral role in the maintenance behavior during the winter season. tell that we have quite a bit in common of its habitat and overall ecosystem’s After having mated and maintained with the Pileated Woodpecker. Oregon health. Keystone species are those on a nest and territory for several weeks, Ridge relies on the support of others in which their ecosystem heavily depends. the Pileated Woodpecker will allow order for it to survive, just as the Pileated Without them, the population dynamics others of its species into its territory does in wintertime. Teamwork here at of all other species become altered mostly to roost in different locations. This Oregon Ridge can be seen at every level, for the worse, leading the ecosystem behavior is the closest that the Pileated from the direction of the Council and staff, to volunteering from community members, to attendance by the public. Just as many Pileated Woodpeckers maintain the forest ecosystem, we at Oregon Ridge are keystone to maintaining balance by using our forest wisely and protecting its inhabitants.

Page 6 Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council’s Trailblazer | Nov ‘15 - Jan ‘16 ZI SMITH A Ridge Runner with a Destiny

Zi Smith knows where he He has a 4.0 GPA and was awarded is going and what he is going with biology and environmental science to do. He decided to earn his academic awards. He enjoys history as school service learning hours well as science. He also has a broad range by pursuing his interest in of hobbies and interests: Reading (from the environment as a Ridge classics like Treasure Island and Catch Runner at Oregon Ridge. He’s 22 to The Five Kingdoms: Sky Raiders), discovered that being a Ridgie is skateboarding, drawing and zentangling a “great learning opportunity.” (creating beautiful images from repetitive Zi’s favorite job is working patterns), archery, fencing, and cooking. with the animals, especially He has become a proficient drums/bass showing them off to visitors. guitarist, winning the Louis Armstrong He says, “I love watching their award for jazz percussion. faces light up when I tell them Oregon Ridge is lucky to have Zi they can pet the animal. This Smith on the Ridge Runner team. If you goes especially for the kids, who know of a teen that is looking for a way to are interested about them and improve the environment and learn about ask interesting questions.” He nature, bring him/her in one afternoon especially enjoys the gray tree or weekend to talk with the Ridgies on frogs because they are so docile and amenable to handling. Zi says the learning duty, or have them call Naturalist Jessica that comes from taking responsibility for animal care is his best recommendation to Jeannetta at 410-887-1815. friends for joining the Ridge Runner team at Oregon Ridge, even when funny things happen with the animals — like being chased by the feisty geese. Zi is a 9th grader at Western Tech in the environmental science program. He already knows where he wants to go to college and what field he wants to study. His destination is the Johns Hopkins University environmental engineering program.

JOAQUIN STINGS HONEY HARVEST

With much disappointment, Honey Center. Our annual beekeepers (Snyder’s Harvest Festival 2015 was cancelled. The Apiaries, Bees by the Bay and McDaniel Honey Queen and Princess, check out ultimate decision came down to safety Honey Farm) were ready to sell their local www.buzzingacrossamerica.com. for our volunteers and visitors. With honey and beeswax products. You can still Our volunteers were ready to wind gusts nearing 30 mph and heavy get your local honey by contacting these handle all the usual tasks associated rain predicted throughout that weekend, beekeepers directly through their websites. with this event. Demonstrators from the the HH Committee was forced to make After jumping a plane from Baltimore 4H Club, Weavers Guild of a difficult call. New committee chair Albuquerque, NM, to arrive Friday night Greater Baltimore, Master Gardeners, Nancy Berger invested much time and in Baltimore, Honey Princess Hayden blacksmiths, re-enactors, University of energy setting up new banners for early Wolf had plenty of time to relax at the Maryland Extension, Central Maryland promotion of the event and enacting home of the Williamsons, our volunteer Beekeepers Association, and Gunpowder new ideas for the festival, such as selling host family. For busy Princess Hayden, Valley Conservancy were also committed caramel apples from local Katie’s Candy that was a rare treat. Hayden is from Big to attending and sharing their Shoppe and setting up a s’mores station Sandy, Texas, and her Princess schedule information. Our heartfelt gratitude to as a fall campfire treat. Nancy also made has been tightly packed. While here, everyone who carved out time to help! arrangements to reward each volunteer she was able to visit various Baltimore Honey Harvest Festival 2016 will be with a small honey bear. Other new food attractions before flying off to her next bigger and better. The sun will shine and options this fall were food trucks, such as stop in Portland, Maine. Her yearlong the bees will be busy, so save the first Kommie Pig BBQ. Hayrides were to be tour concludes at the Texas Beekeepers weekend in October 2016 to partake in run by the Maryland Agriculture Resource Association Convention. To follow the the festivities!

Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council’s Trailblazer | Nov ‘15 - Jan ‘16 Page 7 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION Oregon Ridge Nature U.S. POSTAGE Center Council PAID 13555 Beaver Dam Road TIMONIUM, MD Cockeysville, MD 21030 PERMIT NO. 296

RENEW NOW AND SIGN UP A FRIEND, TOO!

Many branches make a strong tree. Many members make a strong Council. Use this membership form to renew and give a copy to a friend. You can now join or renew online. Please visit:

http://oregonridgenaturecenter.org/membership.html

Name ______

Email______Phone ______

Address ______State ____ Zip ______

___ $ 15 Individual ___ $ 250 Sustaining ___ $ 30 Family ___ $ 500 Lifetime ___ $ 75 Supporting ___ $ Extra Donation

Checks payable to ORNC Council, Inc., 13555 Beaver Dam Rd., Cockeysville, MD 21030