Some 70 people attended the Annual Members Meeting of The Manor Conservancy held on November 2nd at St. James, Monkton Church Hall.  Ron Maher, Thorne Gould, Susanna Brellis, Patrick Smith, Joan Norman, and Doug Behrens were re-elected to the Board. The evening's speaker was Dan Coates, president of the Archeological Society of the Northern Chesapeake.  Dan gave a well received presentation on the natural resource features of the Manor region and their influence on the early (pre-contact) people of the area. Ron Maher, Jr. was presented with the Sergeant Murphy Award for Land Conservation. The award is given only periodically to an individual who has shown extraordinary service to the Conservancy and its mission.  Ron was recognized for thirty years of service as a board member, officer, and Chair of the Conservancy's three major annual fundraising events. Pictured below with Ron are his wife Peggy,  their son Jack and TMC President, Henry Pitts.

The Manor Conservancy hosted its 2023 Annual Sporting Clays Shoot on Oct. 8, at First Mine Run in White Hall. 45 participants took part in the shoot with many non-shooters coming out to support the cause.  The bad weather that arrived on the originally scheduled date had forced postponement of the event.  We are appreciate all those who rearranged their schedules to come out on the substitute date.    The event raised $4500 to further the Conservancy's work.  A special "thank you" to the club and manager David Pitts for once again hosting the event.

Our 2023 benefit trail ride raised over $2000 for the Conservancy's Iglehart Fund.  Many thanks to the landowners who kindly allowed us to traverse their properties.

Presented in New York City on June 1st, 2023 

We always celebrate when a property is preserved, but this 58-acre farm in White Hall is extra special. Several years ago the owner was ready to allow a ground-mounted commercial solar installation to be erected. We were thrilled when he changed his mind and determined that the farm should remain a farm forever. Crops will continue to be grown, an amazing viewshed will remain intact, and more than 400 feet of stream will protected as well. Thanks to our partners at Rural Legacy/ Maryland Department of Natural Resources for their help and support.

       

On March 23, local birder Marty Brazeau presented a lecture on birds that can be found at different levels of local forests. A recording is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/WctLAkL4K4s.

In Casablanca, one of the greatest movies of all time, a pickpocket warns a man to be careful of the "vultures" surrounding him, even as he stole the man's wallet. But an article in Momentum, the magazine put out by the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources at The University of Maryland, describes how valuable vultures are to the environment and to human health. Read more about vulture conservation and you'll never look at them the same way.

The Baltimore County Executive is holding virtual Town Hall Meetings for each councilmanic district. These Town Hall Meetings present an opportunity for residents to weigh in on budget priorities. 

The schedule is as follows, along with how to join by phone:

6TH DISTRICT TOWN HALL WITH COUNCILWOMAN CATHY BEVINS

Tuesday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m.

Call-in: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 180 025 4055

2ND DISTRICT TOWN HALL WITH COUNCILMAN IZZY PATOKA

Monday, March 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Call-in: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 180 686 0349

1ST DISTRICT TOWN HALL WITH COUNCILMAN TOM QUIRK

Thursday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m.

Call-in: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 180 385 0425

7TH DISTRICT TOWN HALL WITH COUNCILMAN TODD CRANDELL

Tuesday, March 16 at 6 p.m.

Call-in: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 180 815 9310

3RD DISTRICT TOWN HALL WITH COUNCILMAN WADE KACH

Thursday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Call-in: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 180 202 5808

To submit comments and ideas in advance, go to townhall@baltimorecountymd.gov. 

To view live, visit Baltimore County's YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/user/BaltimoreCounty.