World of Discovery: Animal and Plant Communication

Nov 22, 2023

Jan 18 / 7 p.m. / $ This popular program is sold out.  NOTE TO REGISTERED PARTICPANTS: The program location has changed. Nancy Lawson “Wildscapes” book talk will now be held at Owen Brown Interfaith Center (7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045). Our...

Giving Tuesday goal reached

Nov 22, 2023 | Announcements

The Howard County Conservancy thanks all who contributed this #GivingTuesday to support and expand our Youth Climate Institute. We exceeded our fundraising goal, and those funds were matched by our generous sponsor, Howard Hughes. All donations will help high school...

Volunteer Spotlight: Carolyn Keaton Culp

Nov 2, 2023 | Announcements

Carolyn Keaton Culp, who started volunteering with the Conservancy after finishing her Master Naturalist training in 2022, has worked as a volunteer leading hikes and field trips and aiding with our public programs. “I love taking nature walks and exploring the...

Spotted at the Conservancy: Spun glass slug caterpillar

Nov 2, 2023 | Announcements

The moth that matures from this caterpillar is fairly pedestrian-looking, a silvery beige with some brown spots. But the caterpillar, which Bonnie Ott photographed last month, is spectacular, nearly transparent and covered in spiny hairs. The caterpillars feed on the...

Mural Reveal: Meet the artist

Nov 2, 2023

Join us for the big reveal of our new art installation! The Conservancy commissioned a mural for the back wall of the farmstead’s carriage house that depicts “Land Over Time,” the natural and cultural history of the land that became Mt. Pleasant....

Sold out: Historic Farmhouse Tours

Oct 25, 2023

Nov 18 / 10 & 11 a.m. / FREE The Brown family farmhouse is a time capsule of architecture and family history. Join members of the Howard County Conservancy’s History Committee for a tour of our 1800s farmhouse and learn about the history of Mt. Pleasant!...

Spotted at the Conservancy: Juvenile red-shouldered hawk

Oct 2, 2023 | Announcements

This awkward bundle of feathers will soon grow into a majestic red-shouldered hawk. Kurt Schwarz photographed this puffy teenager on Sept. 19 near the stone wall that runs from Montjoy Barn down to the stream. He believes this hawk is the offspring of the mated pair...

Naturalist training

Oct 2, 2023 | Announcements

Like lichen? Dig dirt? Try nine-week Master Naturalist training, 1/9/24 to 3/5/24 (Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), with an in-depth look at local ecology and natural history. Apply starting Oct. 1. For more information, visit the University of Maryland...

Volunteer spotlight: Bonnie Ott

Oct 2, 2023 | Announcements

Most of the time, Bonnie Ott is behind the camera, taking pictures of all sorts of wildlife at the Conservancy (and elsewhere), from dragonflies, slugs and bolas spiders to the rarest sparrows and flycatchers. An avid birder and naturalist, Bonnie always makes time to...

Gratitude in the Garden

Oct 2, 2023 | Announcements

Thank you to all who joined us for a lovely, balmy evening at Wine in the Garden/Beer in the Barn. The synergy of food, drink and fellowship, along with the contributions of time and treasure, combined to raise a bounty for our nature programs. The garden looked...