Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council 13555 Beaver Dam Road NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE Cockeysville, MD 21030 PAID TIMONIUM, MD PERMIT NO. 120

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2010 Supporting Oregon Ridge Park TRAILBLAZERand Nature Center for 28 years

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2009-2010: A YEAR IN PROGRESS By ORNCC President Jack Kerns

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SOME FAMILIAR FACES FROM 2009-2010 During the past year, Oregon Ridge Nature Center has The Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council is now making made significant improvements to its physical facilities and final design decisions on new animal displays for the Nature has undertaken commitments to improve its animal displays. Center. The current animal display room will be completely These improvements have been possible due to the efforts of altered by incorporating adjustable wall panels (Views 1 & 2, many groups and individuals who provided hours of volunteer center photo) that will make it easier for children to view the time for our enjoyment. exhibits as well as improve animal care. These renovations On June 1, 2010, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to will greatly enhance the attractiveness and usefulness of the celebrate the final completion of the gypsy moth and American animal displays. A new tree exhibit planned for the main Carol and Andy Anders entertain at the Picnic chestnut tree interpretive displays, including the new gazebo. hall will enhance our understanding and appreciation of the Vernon Kreisel, Jeanne Cole, Pam Jarrell, Jim Curtis, This resting facility for hikers overlooks the area affected by critical role played by our native forest. During the past year, Shannon Davis, and Erin McCleary at ribbon cutting gypsy moth infestation and is also near the American chestnut we added a coyote, red-tailed hawk, bear, and heron to our saplings. Mr. Vernon Kreisel, the representative from REI, display collection. We thank the Display Committee and joined in the ceremony (photo above) for the new displays as committee chair Joe Warfield for their tireless efforts to create well as the new portal over the bridge that welcomes visitors new and exciting educational displays. on their hikes. We thank REI for their generous contributions The County Master Gardeners have renovated Ann Kerns and Anne Canoles and continuing support of Oregon Ridge Park. We also thank the herb garden and replaced it with a series of gardens grill dogs at picnic REI for the opportunity to participate in their “Get Involved” reflecting the historical evolution of gardening in the United George and Karen Brauer event, held at REI in Timonium, and to showcase the many States. Flowers from pre-colonial times to the present are open the Museum programs available at Oregon Ridge. (Continued on page 10) Trail Guide Cindy Barretta goes native Oregon Ridge Nature Center & Park Council, 410-887-1815; [email protected]; www.oregonridge.org; TDD/Deaf 410-887-5319 Page 2 Sept/Oct 2010 Sept/Oct 2010 Page 11 ORNC COUNCIL SPEAKER SERIES

EQUATORIAL AFRICA AND THE KENYAN BEEHIVE Monday, September 20, 7:30 PM

After graduating from Elon University with a degree in how to work with the African honeybees, which are not as Communications and Business, Dan Quinn began a journey notorious as the Africanized Killer Bees that cause problems in less traveled by joining the Peace Corps. Before long, he was America. headed for Central Africa to a remote village in the highlands The Kenya top-bar hives were developed as a lower- of Cameroon. In his presentation, Dan cost alternative to standard hives. Their will recount his 2-1/2 years living in movable frames make use of the concept GET TIGHT the village of Bandrefam, where he was of bee space. The frames of the hive have WI TH JOIN NOW! adopted into the tribe and took the only a top bar, with no sides or bottom bar, N name of Sa’a Dio, a high honor placing from which the bees build the comb so it AT U him among the village nobles (photo). His hangs down. The hive body is often shaped RE primary responsibility was agro forestry as an inverted trapezoid in order to reduce ! — the growing and propagating of trees the tendency of bees to attach the comb to such as banana, papaya, breadfruit, the hive-body walls. avocado, and black fruit. He also wrote Dan Quinn is the son of Winnie and grants and received funds to develop Kirk Dreier and was once a Ridge Runner the Kenyan beehive project. As project facilitator, Dan at Oregon Ridge. Don’t miss his fascinating PowerPoint helped build Kenya top-bar beehives from scratch, acquired presentation about his modern day journey into the heart of beekeeping equipment, and then showed his village co-op the Dark Continent. OREGON RIDGE NATURE CENTER COUNCIL

10 Pain Free Ways to Cut Your Utility Bills And Carbon Emissions BY 10% OR MORE MEMBERS RECEIVE: Monday, October 18, 7:30 PM • Bimonthly Newsletter • Priority Mailing of Seasonal Calendar Climate change, national energy security, tight family the costs of energy improvements? • First Option for Camp Registration budgets — never in recent history has there been such a wide Local home energy expert Kurt Pfund will answer these • 10% off Gift Shop purchases $30+ range of reasons to trim our home energy and other questions, and by the end of the • Members Only Events consumption. American buildings consume evening, you should have the knowledge to more energy and produce more emissions trim your annual utility costs and carbon than automobiles, and about a third to half emissions by at least 10%, with very little of the energy used for heating or cooling a initial expenditure and no drastic changes LOW, YEARLY DUES: typical single-family home is wasted due to to your lifestyle. In addition to the Q&A air leakage and system inefficiencies. session about home energy usage, some • Individual $15 Fortunately, a great variety of technologies listeners will be able to participate in a hands- • Family $20 and stimulus programs are available to combat on demonstration of some of the latest home • Seniors/Students $12 this waste and assist homeowners to make energy auditing technologies, including a • Lifetime $150 their homes healthier, more comfortable, and blower door fan and infrared camera. more durable. But it can be challenging to stay Kurt Pfund, a former Ridge Runner at current with the technologies and programs. the Nature Center, studied at the University Full Name ______What is the difference, for example, between of and is now a certified Building Address ______State _____ Zip ______a CFL and a LED? What is the best way to Analyst and co-founder of Zerodraft Phone ______Email ______air-seal a home and when do you know when Maryland, an energy auditing and retrofitting it is too airtight? When is whole-house mechanical ventilation consultancy based in Towson. When not tuning up buildings, Checks to ORNC Council, 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, Maryland 21030 a desirable solution? Do solar power and geothermal heat make he enjoys reading, gardening, and hiking/skiing on trails at the 410 887-1815 [email protected] http://www.oregonridge.org/ financial sense? And what kinds of credits are available to offset Ridge and beyond. Page 10 Sept/Oct 2010 Sept/Oct 2010 Page 3

(2009-10 - A Year in Progress, continued) TRAIL GUIDES ARE “WONDER” FULL included in the garden appropriately designated “A Garden Over twenty applicants applied to our Scholarship Program. Walk Through Time.” The native species of plants and shrubs The Scholarship Committee, chaired by Dr. Polly Roberts, demonstrate a truly “green” garden where pest management, confronted the challenge of selecting from this large group of One of the primary goals at the Oregon Ridge Nature attraction to birds and butterflies, resistance to deer and very qualified, college-bound high school seniors, representing Center is to guide as many children as possible along park other predators, and noninvasive the Baltimore County and Baltimore City area, who are trails to expose them to the marvels of the trees, insects, qualities have been incorporated planning to pursue courses of study in the environmental birds, streams, and wildflowers that inhabit this wonderland. to enhance the beauty and joy of sciences and nature education. Donations to the scholarship Wonder is exactly what many of these kids experience because gardening. A descriptive display of fund have made it possible to help these young people in their they are often seeing nature in abundance for the first time. this new garden has been located studies, and we thank everyone who has given so generously. Trail Guides are key to successfully accomplishing this goal, in the Nature Center Library and Staff and volunteers from ORNC got to show off their and in exchange for their gift of time, they receive a gift in provides more detailed information patriotic pride at this year’s Towson 4th of July parade (front return — Wonder. The wonder that overwhelms children at regarding the advantages of native page)! Everyone pitched in to decorate Director Courtney Peed’s their first sight of a Pileated Woodpecker, a salamander, or a plants, the use of composting, and Volkswagen Beetle in praying mantis is more contagious than H1N1. Trail Guides methods of pest control. We thank red, white and blue. catch it immediately. the Master Gardeners for their Bookmarks and candy If you would like to catch the wonder, please join us for efforts to improve and maintain were handed out to the Trail Guide Training this fall beginning Tuesday, September 7, from 10 AM to 1 PM. Training continues for four consecutive the garden and display. crowd, and our banner Trail Guide Gayl Meier catches the wonder Volunteers from Grace Fellowship was proudly displayed days, each day featuring a different topic including Native Church replaced the steps near the as we marched along. Americans in Maryland, insects, reptiles and amphibians, and own to places like Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve, Ladew parking lot, erected fencing around Thank you to the habitats. No experience is required, only a love of nature and Gardens, other nature centers, the Gunpowder River by canoe, the Indian Garden, replaced rain following staff and an interest in sharing with children. or the pristine woods of Prettyboy Dam Reservoir or Patuxent bars on the Blue Trail, and cleared volunteers for helping After training, you will be encouraged to accompany State Park. the paved handicapped trail under us look great on the experienced Trail Guides on field-trip hikes until you feel Please call 410-887-1815 now to register. Payment the “ServFest” program. Our 4th: Shannon Davis, Jackie Devine, Mike Kaufman, Max comfortable enough to lead your first solo hike. When that is due the first day of training and checks are preferred. If appreciation is extended to Grace Kirschner, Courtney Peed, and Shea and Cole Sandifer. event occurs, you will be refunded the $25 course fee. nature makes you feel like a kid again, this is the volunteer Fellowship Church and its volunteers for making the park a It was heartwarming to hear cheers from people lining the Trail Guides are treated to a monthly field trip of their opportunity for you. much more attractive and inviting place to visit and enjoy. streets as we passed by and to know that all of our efforts are Other physical improvements include new lighting for appreciated. Thank you all for making 2009-10 a great year! CH THE REG the driveway, a new lighted display case for the gift shop, and T W O ON CA T G

improvements to the heating system. We thank Shannon Davis O A R RAIL UID NDER ID T E and Beahta Davis for their overnight attention to the animals TRAILBLAZER STAFF GE E A ! during the winter blizzard power outage. Other volunteers ! B Editor/Design/Layout: Mary Jane Shanks have made significant contributions to improve our offerings. Managing Editor: Joe Salvaggio The library collection has been enlarged and refreshed due to the efforts of Ginna Naylor, the gift shop offerings have been CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE expanded due to the efforts of Noot Canoles, the web site has Writers: Jack Kerns, Shannon Davis, Dr. Polly Roberts, been consistently improved and updated by Jim Curtis, and Courtney Peed, and Mary Jane Shanks Mary Jane Shanks continues to astonish us with improvements Photographers: Jim Curtis, Gilles Gonthier, MJ Shanks, and ORNC Staff to the newsletter. The pancake breakfast was well attended, and we thank OREGON RIDGE NATURE CENTER everyone (over 1340 people) who supported our fundraiser 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030 and the many volunteers (over 116) who staffed the event. 410-887-1815; Fax: 410-785-1020 or 410-887-1816 [email protected].; www.oregonridge.org Other successful programs included Maple Sugar Days, Music in the Woods, Primitive Technology Weekend, Honey Articles for the Nov/Dec/Jan issue are due Sept. 21. Harvest, holiday programs, the annual picnic, and the Council’s popular speaker series. This year’s speakers educated us about the Oregon Ridge forest, invasive and native plants, insects, the Chesapeake Bay, and Loch Raven. We thank Kevin WANTED: A patio set in O’Neill for arranging the speakers, Dave Power for handling good condition to put on all our publicity, and the Trailblazer staff for their great job the deck for visitor seating. Trail Guides take their own field trip to Erin McCleary (rear) guides a group across keeping us informed. the scary log bridge Page 4 Sept/Oct 2010 Sept/Oct 2010 Page 9

BRING YOUR HONEY TO THE CHARLIE THE CHIPMUNK HONEY HARVEST FESTIVAL by Shannon Davis As I parked in front of my house, I noticed my neighbor’s shaped front incisor teeth like those of all rodents, but they October 2 and 3, 10 AM to 4 PM cat in the grassy area by the street. I had not seen the cat had not fully descended. Another good indicator of Charlie’s much since our hound dog Junie joined the family. Some of age is the fact that chipmunks come above ground when they Einstein is often erroneously quoted as saying, ‘If the beeswax candles and ornaments and jars of sweet honey and my neighbors used to think the cat was mine because she was are about six weeks old. This can be a dangerous time for bee became extinct, man would only survive a few years beyond honeycomb. You can go home with some unique gifts and constantly at my house. One neighbor even went so far as to young chipmunks because cats are not their only predator. it.’’ Although there is no proof whatsoever that Einstein some interesting facts about the source of the gifts. scold me for leaving “my” cat out in the snow all night! Weasels, hawks, foxes, bobcats, dogs, raccoons, birds of prey made any such statement concerning bee and man, the quote Beekeeping isn’t the only craft of antiquity that we I walked over to pet the cat and noticed something moving and snakes also prey on chipmunks. is nonetheless close to the truth. The honeybee is gradually commemorate at our annual Honey Harvest Festival. We will in the grass. I saw a small, brown shape with five distinctive, We all loved Charlie and enjoyed watching him run on disappearing, and since it is celebrate and demonstrate old- blackish-brown stripes on the back and sides, along with black his hamster wheel. Some lucky visitors and school groups the most prolific pollinator in fashioned, hand-pressed cider eye stripes that seem to run through the middle of the eyes, even met Charlie. But last month we said our good-byes and the bee family, with it will go making, wool spinning, pottery and two light-colored stripes outlining each eye. I knew right released little Charlie just in front of the Center. many plants, the animals that making, and blacksmithing. away the cat had caught a baby chipmunk. Chipmunks are Charlie will join all the other chipmunks that thrive on those plants, a sizable Throw in some rousing members of the Sciuridae family, as are squirrels and live at Oregon Ridge Park. The home range of a percentage of valuable crops bluegrass music, a few noisy woodchucks. They are known to be graceful, chipmunk is usually about half an acre, but that sustain us worldwide, both battles between the Rebs and spry, and quick to dash for cover when individual home ranges overlap. Just in front physically and economically, the Yanks, a petting zoo, tasty startled. This little guy surely lived up of the Nature Center you will see many and of course, honey. hotdogs topped with honey to that description. Within seconds chipmunks scurrying around with their So the little buzzer deserves mustard, funny puppet shows, the chipmunk darted here and there tails held high. Some of their burrows a celebration, and that is just hayrides, raffles, a bird’s eye before taking off to find shelter can be found near the steps to the what we will do at our 29th view of a vulture or hawk, and under the nearest car. picnic area. Typically the burrow Annual Honey Harvest Festival a photo opt shaking hands with The chase was on. Who was opening is about 2” wide and is on October 2nd and 3rd? We will 2010 American Honey Princess going to get the baby chipmunk hidden under a rock, stump, log, or celebrate the encouraging research that’s going on to find ways Amy Roden, and we have ourselves a FESTIVAL. first, the cat or I? It was close. I had at the base of a fence post or a wall. to save the honeybee, and we will celebrate the beekeepers Please join us on the first weekend in October, anytime to bat the cat a time or two to keep it Burrows can become quite complex who are crucial in these efforts. Not only do beekeepers spend between 10 AM and 4 PM. Don’t forget to bring your honey, away from the chipmunk, and let me and may extend for up to 30 feet, a lot of time transporting bees to pollinate fields of crops, they your friends, and your family. are usually the first to notice problems or changes in the bee tell you, little chipmunks are fast! My sometimes branching into offshoot universe. neighbors must have thought I was crazy tunnels with separate entrances. Nest Visitors to the festival can get up close and personal with nd it’s ! crawling under all of the cars. After several chambers are lined with crumbled dry leaves a F E failed attempts to catch it, I remembered I had and grass, and food chambers can be quite large local beekeepers, who will be there to educate and show off N RE U a drink cup in my car. The drink cup was just the and capable of holding up to half a bushel of nuts and their handiwork with honeybee by-products such as homemade ival. It F st ’s right high-tech piece of equipment I needed to catch the little seeds. The nest and food chambers can go as far as three feet Fe fellow. (See! There is a reason for not cleaning your car.) With down. With all of the chipmunks I’ve seen near the Center oney Ha t H rves the second swoop of the cup, the little chipmunk was captured this year, we must have an elaborate labyrinth of burrows e th and safe from the cat. beneath our feet. to z on over The next morning I brought the chipmunk into the We were tempted to keep little Charlie, but he has a much z HONEY HARVEST FESTIVAL Nature Center, and we (well, mostly Courtney) nursed him greater purpose. You see, all of those seeds little Charlie and u B NEEDS VOLUNTEERS! back to health. Besides a few scratches, he wasn’t in too bad of his friends stuff in their cheek pouches do more than keep shape. Chipmunks are omnivorous and in the wild eat nuts, them fed through the winter. Some of the seeds go uneaten CAN YOU HELP? seeds of woody and herbaceous plants, mushrooms, berries, and get moved around and buried in the forest. Some of these corn, apples, peaches, pears, and garden vegetables. They also seeds sprout and become new trees. So in addition to being The 2010 Annual Honey Harvest Festival, taking place on October eat insects, snails, earthworms, millipedes, salamanders, small an important food source for other mammals, chipmunks are 2 and 3, is a family tradition for many. Make it one of your family snakes, frogs, birds’ eggs, and young mice and birds. But we also valuable forest creatures for their planting ability. traditions by attending this year. fed the little chipmunk a diet of applesauce and baby cereal Hopefully, Charlie did not end up as someone’s dinner, Volunteers are needed to help cook and serve hotdogs, make apple until he was feeling better and could eat solid foods. though typically chipmunks live only about two years. So the cider, sell raffle tickets, and direct cars for parking. If you can volunteer, He was the cutest thing. We began calling him Charlie next time you come by the Nature Center and see a chipmunk please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Jeanne Cole via the Nature the Chipmunk. We estimated he was about 5 or 6 weeks old out front, say Hi, because it may be little Charlie. Courtney and Center (410-887-1815). because he still had soft baby fur and was about half the size I are always calling the chipmunks we see around the Nature of an adult chipmunk (adults are 8-10” long, including a 3-4” Center Charlie. I am sure we have spoken to the real Charlie tail, and weigh 2.3 to 4.4 ounces). He had the broad, chisel- on more than one occasion! (Photo by Gilles Gonthier) Page 8 Sept/Oct 2010 Sept/Oct 2010 Page 5

MUSIC IN THE WOODS 2010 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED! The Melody Grows By Dr. Polly Roberts, Scholarship Chair

The morning of Music in the Woods 2010 dawned with and the Oregon Ridge Nature Center Band. The Carroll The Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council has awarded Dutrow Mullan Scholarship for her junior year at Washington sunny skies. Enticed by inviting, cool temperatures, visitors County Cloggers opened the festival with a lively, early morning scholarships to three seniors who graduated from Baltimore College, where she is majoring in environmental science with began pouring in at 10 AM and attendance was steady — 641 stomp. Individual crowd favorites Christopher James, Bryan County schools, have demonstrated an excellent academic a concentration in Chesapeake Regional Studies. Megan’s music lovers overall. This free, annual May event gets bigger Burns, Frank Wolfchild Greene, Laurie Ballentine, and Jenny record and commitment to the environment, and who plan to primary interest is in achieving environmental conservation each year! The word is out that it’s fun and family-friendly. and Emily Witt entertained once again. Ben Poscover and major in environmental studies in college. This is the sixteenth through policies and legislation. New attractions included StarmanJER and his solar oven, Griff Atkinson invited the ORNC Dulcimer Club to perform consecutive year that the Council has awarded scholarships to Congratulations to our committed and accomplished sundial craft and sun-scope. Music-Go-Round provided with them this year. It was “groovy” playing with old friends. deserving seniors from Baltimore City and County. scholarship recipients! The Council extends its heartfelt instruments for a musical “petting-zoo,” and the Master All performances are volunteer. If you play in a band or on Each of the successful candidates pictured below has gratitude to all who contribute so generously to our scholarship Gardeners gave out tips for home gardening. First-time your own, consider performing next year. We’re always looking received a $3000 award. An additional student will receive fund. Because of you, we are able to help these deserving young performers Pete Yorko, Mark Surgies, and the band High for new talent and exciting additions to the agenda. Just let the funding as the result of a continuing, dedicated scholarship. people realize their dreams. Strung added a special touch. We hope they return in 2011. Nature Center staff know if you would like to participate. Megan Milliken has been awarded $1000 from the Getty We welcomed back many beloved bands, including the If you missed the melodic gala this year, make sure to New Southern Cow Tippers, Painted Trillium, Loony Tunes, mark next year’s calendar: Saturday, May 14, 2011. Richard Nevin Kerr, III, a Catonsville High School Loyola Blakefield graduate, graduate Lindsay Land will major in outdoor leader- Thank You to the Volunteers Who Made will study Environmental Engineering at the Univer- ship at Warren Wilson Music in the Woods Go Round! sity of Maryland in College College. Concerned about Park. His career goal is to the growing problem of Gary Anderson Walter Massey Master Gardeners of Baltimore County develop environmentally “nature deficiency disorder” Griff Atkinson Alaina and Erin McCleary Carroll County Cloggers friendly products that will in today’s youngsters, who Laurie Ballentine Andi Musser Kristin, Rob and Susan Meyer (Painted Trillium) reduce pollution of the spend endless hours indoors Bryan Burns Ben Poscover John Meredith and members of the High Strung Band oceans and the Chesapeake with their electronic devices, Anne and Noot Canoles Dave Powers Sandy Hofferth, Howard Zane, Heidi Most, Fred Cherney Bay. Lindsay plans to educate Jeanne Cole Katrina Restivo (New Southern Cow Tippers) children about nature. Jim Curtis John Smothers Tom Reedy, Jim Bienemann, Alice Rodman, Lisa Roberts Jackie Devine Mark Surgies (Loony Tunes) Hereford High School Jerry Feldman Rashid Taleb Andy Anders, Kirk and Winnie Dreier, Courtney Peed, graduate Erin Spencer will Mary Genovese Megan Weeren and guest mandolinist Christopher James (Oregon major in Environmental ATULATIO Frank Wolfchild Greene Emily and Jennifer Witt Ridge Nature Center Band) Science at the College of GR Christopher James Pete Yorko ORNC Staff N N William and Mary. She S Ann and Jack Kerns hopes to be a Marine CO Biologist, utilizing her photography skills to educate and inspire others to protect our troubled oceans.

CANDIDATE FORUM AT MARSHY POINT NATURE CENTER! Are you green? Are your Candidates for Baltimore County Executive green?

On August 26, at 6:30 PM, you can ask them. County Councilmen Joseph Bartenfelder and Kevin Kamenetz, and former House Delegate Kenneth Holt, will talk about their views on the environment and answer questions. Refreshments served. Call 410 887-2817 for details.

Flute maker/player Bryan Burns Painted Trillium warms up Courtney Peed strums $20 donation goes to educational programming at Marshy Point Nature Center. is a returning favorite her guitar Page 6 Sept/Oct 2010 Sept/Oct 2010 Page 7

CAMPERS HAVE FUN DESPITE HEAT! NEW STAFF ARRIVE EZECKIEL ECLARINO: OVER SUMMER DESTINED TO BE A RIDGE RUNNER Oregon Ridge Nature Center had another great summer Resting along the trail not only helped the children regain While visiting ORNC on weekends or dropping off Ezeckiel Eclarino, or Zeke, has two passions that put of nature camps. Every camp was quickly filled with eager strength, but also gave them the opportunity to experience your child for camp, you might have noticed some new faces him on the Ridge Runner road. First, he is fascinated with explorers and most had long wait lists. Naturalists Nate nature through their five senses, especially hearing, smelling, working around the Center. We are happy to introduce three animals. At home he cares for hamsters, rabbits, lizards and and touching. Also, in addition to stream searches that were new members to the ORNC team. We hope you become more cats. In his short time here as a Ridgie, he has already picked planned for the worst days, there was always time to take a dip acquainted with them on your next visit to the park. his favorite animal to care for — the corn snake. He likes in the lake at Oregon Ridge Beach — a perfect way to end a Caitlin Myers is a new weekend naturalist who recently books about animals, and when asked what he would like to scorching, afternoon hike. All in all, our campers enjoyed a graduated from Salisbury University with a Bachelor of do when he is older, he answered, I would like to become an varied menu of nature experiences! Science degree in biology. Caitlin, a lifelong animal lover, also ecologist. Volunteering at the Nature Center will help me learn If your child did not get a chance to experience our works as a vet tech at the Animal Medical Clinic of Dulaney more about the native species of animals and plants. Also I love to super nature camps this year, consider becoming a member. Valley and keeps busy at home caring for five cats, a dog, and work with animals. Now, add in his other passion — having Members receive our spring calendar two weeks prior to non- two rats. Her future plans are to work in the field of wildlife fun — and it becomes destiny. members, giving them ample opportunity to sign-up their conservation. In the meantime, we are grateful to have Caitlin children first. We hope to see new and returning faces next on our team for as long as she is willing to stay. year at our Oregon Ridge Nature Center summer camps! Jessie Salmon is our new seasonal naturalist who helped afternoon hike. run our summer camps this year. She graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2009. She is a true nature lover and wildlife enthusiast, but her main area of Lipinski and Jesse Salmon (photo above) kept the campers busy study was fish. Jesse studied the Blacknose Dace, extensively hiking through the park trails and exploring different habitats focusing on their life cycles and mating habits. Needless to and environments. Each day highlighted a new theme, which say, she is our new expert on stream life around the park. Jesse kept their enthusiasm high. The kids never had a dull day! has also worked with information at the Patuxent Wildlife Meadow Madness day included a scavenger hunt to find Research Center Bird Banding Laboratory. She has worked and I.D. critters and plants. Another day was devoted to with horses her whole life and has given lessons at her parent’s What’s in the Water, when the campers seined for fish, crayfish farm. Her experience with children of all ages has given her and other aquatic critters. On Predator and Prey day, the kids a leg up on the area of public service. We hope you will see role-played being hawks and rabbits, running helter-skelter to more of Jesse throughout the rest of the year. try to catch or not be caught. Every camper loved the Native Mike Kaufman started at ORNC as our marketing intern. American Know How day when they could throw spears, shoot He is really helping to make a name for ORNC, and himself! arrows, have their faces painted, and play native games. When Mike expressed an interest in helping with programs, Zeke attends the Waldorf School of Baltimore, where as a Although the heat was horrible during some weeks, Nate 10th grader he will be encouraged to explore his role in relation and Jesse found ways to keep our campers cool and happy. A camper plays the hawk (far left) and chases the rabbit campers in this predator prey game. to the world. Since he loves science, volunteering at the Nature Center will allow him to learn the interconnections of the natural world. He had been a regular visitor to the Nature COUNCIL THANKS JACK KERNS, Center, and when he noticed other teens working around the ANNOUNCES NEW SLATE OF OFFICER building, he decided to join up. He even volunteered to help at our camps this summer. Zeke has more hobbies than most. He’s interested in At the October Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council President Jim Curtis photography, drawing, camping, and music (hip hop, pop, meeting, members will vote on a new slate of officers for Vice President Erin McCleary B.o.B). He is in the fencing program at school, as well as the 2010-2011. We want to thank Jack Kerns for his effectiveness Secretary Ann Kerns NASA INSPIRE program. He likes rock climbing and hopes as President of the Council from 2008 to 2010. Presidents Treasurer Anne Canoles the naturalists will plan a rock climbing trip for the Ridgies. serve a two-year term, and during his tenure, Jack initiated, Directors: Mike Burns, Sherry Lyons, Jack Kerns Zeke says he is most proficient in art, playing piano and motivated, and implemented many improvements to the guitar, inventing, woodcarving, and of course, the computer. Nature Center and Park. He showed unflagging support for we said, Why not? He quickly proved to us that he works (He knows GoLive, Photoshop, Flash, PowerPoint and Word.) the officers, directors, and committee chairs in all of their Congratulations well with the public and in nature. Mike graduated from He says he’s a pretty good fisherman, too. efforts. Super job, Jack! to our Past Frostburg State University this summer with a degree in mass Oregon Ridge Nature Center is lucky to have such a diverse communications. He will be joining the ORNC team as our character as Zeke Eclarino. We hope he sticks around until he The Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council is pleased to and Future Officers! announce the following Slate of Officers for 2010 – 2011. new building attendant. If you see a new face at our welcome heads for college and begins his journey toward becoming an desk or hear a new voice on the phone, it may just be Mike. ecologist extraordinaire.