Patapsco Valley Heritage Area

02/14/2025

We invite local businesses and organizations that share our goal of preserving, protecting, interpreting and restoring the Patapsco River Valley to become a 2025 local sponsor.

Sponsorships help support PHG’s free public programs, including lectures, stream clean-ups, invasive plant removals, environmental education workshops and tree plantings. These events attract local residents and visitors, giving sponsors the opportunity to connect directly with PHG’s extensive network of volunteers and participants.

Learn more at patapsco.org/stewardship/partner-with-phg

02/13/2025

The Patapsco Valley Heritage Area (PVHA) Mini-Grant Program assists heritage-related sites, organizations and municipalities to develop innovative programs, partnerships, exhibits, tours, events, and initiatives consistent with the regional goals and objectives in our state and county approved Management Plan. The Program encourages proposals that include collaborative partnerships, enhance preservation, encourage stewardship of natural resources, and promote heritage tourism. PHG received nearly $45,000 in requests for the FY25 Program, funded by a $25,000 grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. Awardees were chosen through a competitive process.

FY25 PVHA Mini-Grant Awardees are:
Catonsville Tree Canopy Project, 2025 Neighborhood Tree Planting ($2500)

Elkridge Heritage Society, Elkridge Heritage Museum Kickstarter ($4500)

Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park, 2025 Patapsco Valley Recreation Events ($1970)

Friends of Whipps Cemetery and Memorial Gardens, “The Restoration of Whipps Garden Cemetery” Interpretive Sign ($3451)

Greater Patapsco Community Association-Small Watershed Community Committee, Supporting Habitat and Stream Health of Patapsco River Tributaries ($1454)

Natural History Society of Maryland, A Story Told in Rocks: Minerals of the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area ($4125)

Music City Maryland Association, 2025 Music City Maryland Festival ($5000)

Nike Missile Site BA-79, Granite (Civil Air Patrol Maryland Wing), Expanding the Nike Missile Site Open Houses ($2000)

PHG also provided the following award through its new EC250 Legacy Fund:
Howard County Historical Society, Gifts of the Patapsco River Valley Exhibit ($7000)

PVHA mini-grants require a 1:1 match, with any mix of cash or in-kind. For more information on grant opportunities visit: patapsco.org/about/grant-opportunities

02/07/2025

Registration is now open for our spring events! Upcoming events include vernal pool guided walks, stream cleanups, invasive plant removals, tree maintenance projects and more!

View our event calendar and RSVP at patapsco.org/events

If you represent a local business, consider joining our new local sponsorship program. Your sponsorship supports PHG’s free public programs and events.

Learn more at https://ow.ly/nK6Q50UVJlV.

02/05/2025

We’re thrilled to invite you to our Seventh Annual Patapsco Days Celebration! This March, we’re hosting a series of programs exploring the history, environment, and sociopolitical aspects of the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area.

This year’s theme is Advocacy and Action: Exploring how people, places, and industries are all vital to pursuing justice and equality in the past and present.

We have an exciting lineup of speakers ready to talk about a variety of topics ranging from the role of the B&O Railroad during the Civil War to the need for civil rights advocacy in the United States and more!

Featured speakers include:
- Matthew Borders, NPS Park Ranger at Monocacy National Battlefield
- Jonathon Wood, Naturalist II at the Benjamin Banneker Park and Museum
- Willie Flowers, NAACP Howard County Branch President, and former president of the NAACP Maryland State Conference.

Join us on March 6 at 6 PM to hear NPS Park Ranger Matthew Borders as he discusses the role of the B&O Railroad during the Civil War.

Learn more and RSVP: https://ow.ly/k9Xy50UTun3

The full schedule of Patapsco Days events will be announced soon!

02/04/2025

A big thank you to everyone who joined us on Friday at our Salt Watch Snapshot event to wrap up Salt Watch Awareness Week! We had great conversations about water quality in the Patapsco Watershed and how to get involved as a Salt Watcher.

After an in-person training session, volunteers headed out to test chloride levels in local streams and contribute their findings to a nationwide database. Chloride levels in streams can be very high after winter weather salting events. Salts applied to walkways and roads are often applied too heavily and wash off into local streams where they can be toxic to aquatic organisms and destructive to infrastructure. The majority of sites tested by participants showed high to moderately high chloride levels, reinforcing the need for continued monitoring and awareness.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Salt Watch Awareness Challenge and congratulations to our raffle winner, Chelsea C.!

Want to get involved? Learn more about Salt Watch at https://ow.ly/AweO50UTbmi
and PHG’s Community Science Programs at https://ow.ly/uVRc50UTbmg

01/27/2025

Today is the start of Winter Salt Awareness Week.

Join us this Friday for our Salt Watch Snapshot event! This in-person interactive event is a great opportunity to learn about water quality issues in the region and contribute to a large data set that will help us understand chloride levels in our streams.

Learn more and RSVP at https://ow.ly/IUk650UO5bx

01/27/2025

Stop by the Howard County Welcome Center (8267 Main Street, Ellicott City) to view a new exhibit, Tragedy and Resilience in Ellicott City, which explores the history of floods and community recovery in Ellicott City.

01/24/2025

Check out our Fall 2024 Biological Map. As part of our biological assessment, we collect samples of macroinvertebrate insects, mollusks, and crustaceans that live at the bottom of the riverbed. Because they have known tolerances to pollution, identifying them gives us an indication of the health of the waterway. Many pollution-sensitive groups must be represented to score highly on the assessment.

For Fall 2024, our twelve sites ranged in ecological health. (Note that we added a site at Rockburn Branch!) Compared to last fall, more sites were classified as ecologically acceptable. Seven sites were classified as ecologically acceptable (green on the map), only one was deemed ecologically unacceptable (red), and the assessment of four sites could not be determined at this time (yellow).

Deep Run, a muddy bottom stream, scored acceptable again. However, we only collected 96 organisms, just shy of the number needed for a more confident assessment. Interestingly, Bull Branch scored unacceptable because 80% of the sample was composed of net-spinning caddisflies, which can tolerate nutrient pollution. In this case, low diversity led to a low score.

This marks our sixth consecutive season of biological data collection. For historical data, we invite you to explore our 2023 Non-tidal Patapsco River Report Card at https://ow.ly/2vyZ50UMPb3

Interested in learning more about stream invertebrates? Details on training opportunities and family-friendly events will be announced for this spring. No experience necessary!

01/23/2025

Next week (January 27-31) is Winter Salt Awareness week.

Visit wintersaltweek.org to register for these upcoming daily live streams during this weeklong event.

And join us on Friday, January 31 for our interactive Salt Watch Snapshot event. Learn more at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/salt-watch-snapshot-tickets-1141144898109?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

01/22/2025

The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) FY26 grant round is now open! Over $5 million in matching grant funding is available for capital and non-capital heritage projects across Maryland’s 13 heritage areas.

Go to mht.maryland.gov/Pages/MHAA/heritage-areas-financial.aspx to confirm your eligibility, review the grant guidelines, and begin the required first step in the application process: completing the Intent to Apply form, which is due January 27, 2025.

Full applications are due on March 3, 2025.

A recorded webinar is available for you to learn more about this grant opportunity: https://youtu.be/in52Wtj0PmE.

An official website of the State of Maryland.

01/21/2025

Join the Salt Watch Awareness Challenge! Help monitor road salt pollution in our local streams and enter to win a prize basket. Submit a Salt Watch data sample between January 20 and February 2 to participate.

How to Participate:

1. Pick up a free test kit outside PHG's office (3748 Old Columbia Pike) in the designated mailbox or at the Salt Watch Snapshot event on January 31. Learn more about the event here: https://ow.ly/c11Q50UKjvt

Or request a free kit online at https://ow.ly/T7mZ50UKjvr

2. Test chloride levels in a local stream and upload your results to the Clean Water Hub under Patapsco Heritage Greenway at https://ow.ly/WIoQ50UKjvv

3. Complete the Salt Watch Awareness Challenge form to enter the raffle: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTIQ5IWb3-EKiQRSrR6eZbFe9YYKrvzwJ11zJ007NKYVADig/viewform

01/16/2025

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area! On January 16, 2015, the Patapsco Valley became one of Maryland’s 13 certified heritage areas.

The Patapsco Valley Heritage Area spans Baltimore and Howard counties and includes communities within the Patapsco watershed such as Catonsville, Ellicott City, Relay, Elkridge, Oella and Granite.

What is a heritage area?
The Maryland Heritage Areas Program, established in 1996, promotes heritage tourism across the state. Maryland’s heritage areas bring together public and private partners to preserve historical, cultural, and natural resources while supporting sustainable economic development.

In the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area (PVHA), Patapsco Heritage Greenway (PHG) serves as the managing entity. This means PHG works to expand heritage tourism through a variety of initiatives. These include watershed and invasive species cleanups, hosting educational programs and lectures, and providing sponsorships and mini-grants to local groups and nonprofits engaged in conservation and preservation efforts.

Discover more about the Maryland Heritage Areas Program at mht.maryland.gov/Pages/MHAA/heritage-areas.aspx��

Learn more about the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area at patapsco.org

01/13/2025

Join us at this interactive event on Friday, January 31 to document local chloride levels in streams and contribute to a larger regional Snapshot.

How It Works:
1. Stop by the Museum of Howard County History at 9 AM to grab coffee and learn how to perform a Salt Watch test.
2. Visit a local stream that morning on your own and take a reading.
3. Return to the Museum and we’ll help you enter the data into a database.
4. Short on time? We’ll provide a quick tutorial so you can enter your data later at your convenience.

This in-person event is a great opportunity to learn about water quality issues in the region and contribute to a large data set that will help us understand chloride levels in our streams.
RSVP at https://ow.ly/Rvfq50UFmXg

Don’t Miss the Salt Watch Awareness Challenge!
Submit a Salt Watch data sample between January 20 and February 2 for a chance to win a prize basket.
Take part in the challenge here: https://ow.ly/BH0750UFmXf

01/10/2025

Although January is already underway, there is still the rest of 2025 to enjoy the PaSNAPsco calendar!

Receive a 2025 calendar if your donations to Patapsco Heritage Greenway (PHG) total $100 or more during our current annual appeal.

The calendar features twelve winning photographs and honorable mentions from PaSNAPsco, our annual photo contest. It highlights the places, history, nature and activities within the Patapsco Valley. Inside, you’ll find not only beautiful imagery but also marked dates for significant historic events in the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area.

Support the Patapsco Valley by making a donation at patapsco.org/connect-with-us/support-the-heritage-area

01/09/2025

We’re thrilled to join Howard EcoWorks on MLK Day for their annual Watershed Makeover! As part of this countywide event, we’re hosting tree maintenance at Hollofield Station Elementary and giving away Salt Watch test kits to all attendees. These test kits allow community members to help monitor chloride levels in local waterways. Chlorides (typically in the form of winter salt) end up in the waterways, affecting water quality and the health of plants and wildlife.

Learn more and register for the event at howardecoworks.org/events

01/03/2025

Winter weather means icy roads and walkways, but did you know that overusing salt can be harmful?

Once applied, salt stays in the environment, altering soil, harming plants, and weakening infrastructure like bridges and roads. It eventually washes into waterways, posing risks to water quality, aquatic plants, fish and other wildlife.

As winter weather approaches, using salt wisely can minimize its environmental impact. Start by shoveling sidewalks and parking lots first to reduce the need for salt. Scatter salt crystals sparingly—just a 12-ounce mug of salt can cover a 20-foot driveway. Sweep up excess salt to reuse it and prevent it from washing away. For added traction or when temperatures drop below 15 degrees (when salt becomes ineffective), consider using sand or alternative deicers.

Winter Salt Awareness Week is later this month. Visit wintersaltweek.org to learn more and join us for a Salt Watch event on January 31st—details will be announced soon.

Photo taken by Geoffrey Baker

12/30/2024

As the old adage goes, many hands make light work. With our small staff working across the 36+ square mile Patapsco Valley Heritage Area (PVHA), we always need extra hands and our community never disappoints. In 2024, we worked together on over 115 occasions. Whether picking up trash along a quiet stream or singing along to a band at Frederick Road Fridays, we did it as a community. I was fortunate enough to work with you as PHG’s Chesapeake Climate and Conservation Corps member and then move into a permanent position. What an amazing community to work alongside--I am excited for a new year with you. Our work and impact throughout the PVHA would not be possible without our volunteers, partners, donors, and supporters. Thank you.

An integral part of expanding and strengthening community is having opportunities to engage in inclusive educational and recreational activities. This year, PHG hosted our first Festival del Río Patapsco in Patapsco Valley State Park, a fun-filled environmental-focused day with all programming in English and Spanish. Plans are already underway for next year’s Festival. We’d love to see you there!

2024 Year in Review:
- Launched our Groups Programs (stewardship/social experiences) with two new corporate partners
- Two Family Days on the Trolley Trail with over 120 participants
- Partnered with 13 schools/afterschool programs
- Engaged with our community at Pride festivals, Korean and Latino/Hispanic cultural celebrations, the Big Hike and National Public Lands Day with Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park, and Nature Fest at Charlestown Senior Living, among others.

A few exciting things for 2025:
- Second annual Festival del Río, Trolley Trail Family Days, Family Fun Run, and Vernal Pool hikes
- PHG involvement with the first Salt Watch Awareness Week
- More crossover events bridging historical, cultural, and recreational aspects of the PVHA

Thank you for being a part of our community. Please consider making a generous donation online at patapsco.org/support-the-heritage-area or via US Mail to Patapsco Heritage Greenway, PO Box 96, Ellicott City, MD 21041.

Anyone who donates $100 or more during the 2024 calendar year will receive a 2025 PaSNAPsco calendar. We are excited to see you across the Valley in 2025!

Hannah Emmons
Community Programs Coordinator

12/23/2024

In the Patapsco Valley, history, nature, and creativity come together, shaped by the stories and experiences of those who live, work, visit, and create here. From stunning landscapes captured through a camera lens to brushstrokes that bring the river to life on canvas, the presence of the arts in the Patapsco Valley both enrich the region and showcase the beauty and character that make the valley truly special.

At Patapsco Heritage Greenway (PHG), we believe the arts help tell the story of the Patapsco Valley and offer new ways to discover its history, environment, and recreational opportunities. Through our initiatives, we aim to support the arts and help nurture its growing creative community.

In 2024, we:
- Hosted our seventh annual PaSNAPsco photo contest, which saw record-breaking participation. Local photographers captured the valley’s diversity, highlighting its landscapes, history, and daily life through unique perspectives.
- Organized a PaSNAPsco exhibit featuring contest winners from 2020–2023 at the Catonsville Clubhouse and OCA Mocha in Arbutus, sharing the talent of the PaSNAPsco community with new audiences.
- Sponsored and selected the Best Depiction of the Patapsco River award at Paint It! Ellicott City.
- Supported arts and culture projects and events across the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area, including music and art festivals and community concerts.

As we look to 2025, we are excited to deepen our engagement with the arts community and continue to find new ways to integrate creativity into our programs. This includes:
- Continuing the PaSNAPsco photo contest in its eighth year and organizing a community exhibit featuring the 2024 winners and honorable mentions—a total of 21 exceptional photographs that showcase the valley’s places, people, and stories.
- Exploring opportunities to blend arts and culture with our other focus areas—heritage, environment, and recreation—to create even more meaningful experiences for residents and visitors.
- Building new partnerships with artists and organizations to further promote the arts in the Patapsco Valley.

Your support makes these achievements possible and helps inspire creativity in the Patapsco Valley. Please consider making a donation online at patapsco.org/support-the-heritage-area or via US Mail to Patapsco Heritage Greenway, PO Box 96, Ellicott City, MD 21041.

Anyone who donates $100 or more during the 2024 calendar year will receive a 2025 PaSNAPsco calendar.

Gaelyn Mitchell
Marketing Coordinator