Optimize Urban Environments

HoCo Bee City Presents Madeline Potter, University of Maryland Extension Faculty Specialist for Entomology and Integrated Pest Management, for an interactive workshop on extending life in your green spaces by conserving beneficial insects and other wildlife through the cold winter months.

Not all animals migrate to warmer areas once the temperatures drop, some animals seek shelter in leaves and plant debris like bumble bee queens and luna moth pupae. For a biodiverse spring, learn how to create and protect overwintering habitat within your own spaces, no matter how big or small your green space might be (container and potted gardens included)!

Participants are encouraged to bring a sketch/map of their green space, including different plant species/types, structures, etc. for an opportunity to think through overwintering habitat that fits their own spaces.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this workshop, please contact Madeline Potter by email: mpotter@umd.edu or phone: (301) 226-7615 by Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024. University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

This year, Maryland Student ASLA is joining Park(ing) Day, an international event promoting parking reform. Our theme, Native Plants, features the Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) to showcase using Local Blooms to create Urban Rooms. Stop by for cookies, dried Rudbeckia, and other goodies!

Park(ing) Day is an annual global event that transforms parking spaces into public parks and social spaces. The event takes place on the third Friday of September and is a way to advocate for safer, greener, and more equitable streets.

Join Dean Beyrouty for a discussion and Q&A with Lisa Munoz, Founder and President of SciComm Services, science content strategist and author of Women in Science Now.

Establishing a composting system at your house is a practical and economical way to handle your yard waste and many kitchen scraps. In Charles County, 20 percent of household waste is organic, compostable material that can be kept from the landfill. Compost improves the quality of soil in your planter boxes, garden, around trees, and your lawn — if you have these... you have a use for compost. Pre-registration required by August 24.

Charles County residents will have the opportunity to purchase a limit of two (2) barrels per Charles County household with a discount, while supplies last. Rain Barrels are 60 gallons in size and may be brown, green, gray, or terra cotta.

Residents of Queen Anne’s County are invited to attend an upcoming Solar Visioning Info Session to learn about utility-scale solar development and participate in facilitated discussions. This session aims to educate the public on regional utility-scale solar development and provide a platform for community dialogue on various aspects of solar projects. The insights gathered from this community conversation will inform local leaders, government officials, and the research team about resident perceptions of solar development. The discussion will help shape the following:
• Community vision
• Comprehensive planning, including solar overlay maps
• Strategies for landowners to negotiate with solar developers
• Strategies for communities to negotiate with solar developers.

Your participation will help University of Maryland (UMD) Extension and public officials in understanding how to proactively engage communities in planning for solar energy land use.
Recognizing that many rural landowners may be approached by developers, our goal is to enhance the solar siting process by incorporating the voices and priorities of local and county
government and community members. A summary report will be provided to all participants later in the summer.

This event is organized in partnership with Queen Anne’s County Government, MDA’s Maryland Agricultural Conflict Resolution Service, UMD’s Agriculture Law and Education Initiative, and
UMD Extension. UMD Extension provides Maryland residents with the highest quality of public service, distinguished educational programming, and cutting-edge research through the
dissemination of unbiased research-based educational information. The upcoming Solar Visioning Info Session is free to attend, but registration is required. For more information and
to register, visit go.umd.edu/QASolar. Register by August 12, 2024 to secure a dinner meal and to receive a gift valued at $25 when you attend the meeting. We look forward to your
participation in this important community event. For more information, or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Drew Schiavone (dschiavo@umd.edu; 301-226-7581).

This one-day event convenes digital inclusion leaders, practitioners, and advocates from across the state to discuss critical issues, share best practices, and collaborate on solutions for bridging the digital divide in Maryland. This year's event will offer a dynamic lineup of speakers and panel discussions, with ample networking opportunities. A special Maryland Digital Equity Awards Ceremony will also be held to recognize individuals and organizations leading the charge for digital equity in Maryland.

Master Gardener volunteers will hold a table in the lobby of the Easton branch of the Talbot County Free Library to help answer garden/landscape-related questions; volunteers will also have give-aways, publications, and other resources to help you get growing this fall.

You can find us from 4-6pm on Thursdays, September 12th and October 10th. Feel free to bring in plant or insect samples!

You are invited to the AAUFRC Urban Farm Tour Ice Cream Social at the Anne Arundel Extension Office located at 97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD 21054 on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:30 PM. Ice cream will be served at 5:00 pm followed by a walking farm tour that begins at 6:00 pm.

This year the Anne Arundel County Extension Urban Farming Research Clinic will highlight: hops, wine grapes, apples, peaches, blackberries, sweet corn and flour corn varieties, pumpkins, gourds, high tunnel vegetables and herbs, cut flowers, market gardening, and bee keeping. Ice Cream Served at 5:00 PM Walking Farm Tour begins at 6:00 PM This event is free. However, a reserved meal ticket is required. If you need special assistance to participate, please contact the Anne Arundel County Extension office at 301-226-7470 by July 15th.

Program Objectives:

• Interact with professionals and increase awareness of various careers within the umbrella of One Health.
• Meet teens with similar interests in pursuing careers in animal, environmental, and human health.
• Gain knowledge, understanding, and skills around career and college readiness.
• Network with professionals to identify opportunities for career development in One Health-related fields.

Audience:
Youth ages 13+ (as of Jan 1) with a spark in animal sciences, environmental sciences, healthy living, and interested in learning about One Health careers.
Participation Fee: $5.00 per youth

Registration: Limited, closes June 26, 2024

Lunch provided

For reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity, contact Kevin Huang, khuang14@umd.edu, or (301) 405-8105 at least two weeks before the event.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.