THE HOWARD COUNTY CONSERVANCY INC

HOWARD COUNTY CONSERVANCY IS ENGAGED IN THE PRESERVATION OF RURAL AND AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES. THE CONSERVANCY ALSO PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION FOR OUR LAND RESOURCES. MT. PLEASANT IS A 325-YEAR-OLD FARM NOW OPERATED AS A NATURE RESERVE AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITY. MT. PLEASANT IS LOCATED ON 232 ACRES OF ROLLING HILLS, WITH A VARIETY OF HABITAT AND IS IDEALLY SUITED FOR NATURE STUDY AND EXPLORATION. THE GUDELSKY ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER, ON-SITE AT MT. PLEASANT, IS HOWARD COUNTY'S FIRST NATURE CENTER. IT IS DEDICATED TO EDUCATING CHILDREN AND ADULTS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND ECOSYSTEMS. THE CONSERVANCY FOCUSES ITS PROGRAMS ON LOCAL ANIMAL AND PLANT LIFE FOUND IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED. THE CONSERVANCY HAS BEEN AN EDUCATIONAL PARTNER WITH THE HOWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM SINCE 2003 AND HAS OTHER PARTNERSHIPS WITH HOWARD COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS, HOWARD COUNTY RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT, HOWARD COUNTY BIRD CLUB, HOWARD COUNTY BLACKSMITH GUILD AND OTHERS.THE HOWARD COUNTY CONSERVANCY REACHES MORE THAN 30,000 PEOPLE EACH YEAR THROUGH OUR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR K-12TH GRADE STUDENTS. WE ALSO OPERATE A NATURE PRESCHOOL FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-5. WE HOST PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AT OUR 232 -ACRE MT. PLEASANT FARM IN WOODSTOCK, MD. OUR GROUNDS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DAWN TO DUSK DAILY AND FEATURE FIVE MILES OF TRAILS, COMMUNITY GARDENS, POLLINATOR GARDENS AND A COLLECTION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS. OUR COMMUNITY GARDEN DONATES 4,000 POUNDS OF PRODUCE EACH YEAR TO OUR LOCAL FOOD BANK.THE CONSERVANCY IS AN EDUCATIONAL PARTNER WITH THE HOWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND WORKS CLOSELY WITH OTHER NONPROFIT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. WE ALSO CONSERVE LAND THROUGH CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON PROPERTIES THROUGHOUT HOWARD COUNTY.