1/5/25 Minutes

Attending the meeting – Jess Bolz, Brian Coyle, Heidi Hess-Webber, Pauline Apling, Mike McLaughlin, Mike Maxwell, Kate Thomas, Jimmy Rogers, Andrea Crooms (District 1 office), James Kole, Kerrie Allen, Kristina Gilbertson, Victoria Bell, Cheryl Dyer, Holly Hoglund, Mark Tomassoni, Alice Tracy, Liz Humes, Nikita Sidorchuk, Gwyneth McFee, Matthew Perry

New Initiatives to Consider/Discuss/Plan 

Response to proposed expansion of James Rowley Federal Training Center, Department of Homeland Security (Brian) -  The proposed area for this project is adjacent to the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge where a large swath of forested land would be destroyed.  The likelihood of stopping the project is nil.  However, the future of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center is uncertain and there are large areas of unforested land that could be used for the project.  We can encourage the possible transfer to that space as opposed to deforesting thirty-nine acres.  The project requires a secluded, secure area but trees could be planted to hide the area.  Several species of endangered migratory birds live in the threatened forested area.  Andrea says that the council is working to get an extension.  She also recommends arguing for the mitigation requirement of the watershed which is required by the Clean Water Act and by the state.  Tom Dernoga (District 1) will send out information about this tomorrow morning.

Self-guided tour of native plantings (Heidi) - The idea is to create a map and descriptions of various native gardens around Laurel.  The gardens would all be visible from the sidewalk and folks would be able to visit various examples of native plantings to identify plants and designs that appeal to them.  Michele Keating who manages the Laurel Historical Society’s Garden Tour project has expressed interest in working with us to design the map.  Heidi and Jess will work together on this project.  Jimmy has a list of addresses and is planning a tour for the new (3rd) LNHP cohort.  We could use his list but the self-guided tour would be separate from the LNHP tour.

Extend the Laurel Native Habitats Program (LNHP) to businesses (Heidi) - The idea is to work with local businesses to plant native plants in patches of land that are currently devoid of plants or just a weed patches.  Jimmy doesn’t want us to have to maintain new plantings and would prefer to have the businesses buy in to doing the maintenance.  The city doesn’t currently have a horticulturist on staff but properties in its control would also be an opportunity.  Kate suggests starting a conversation with HOAs.  Jimmy says that he can point folks to resources for plant choices.  Mike Maxwell asks about working with the American Legion.  We previously planted a garden with the American Legion but they have not maintained the garden.  Mike McLaughlin suggests getting schools involved.  Jess suggests that if anyone has a connection with businesses to let us know.

Bird conservation project (Brian) - The Laurel Museum is interested in collaborating with L4P to do a year-long project on birds and bird conservation.  This could include a focus on Chandler Robbins and his work, a focus on the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge and the many birds that inhabit that area, bird walks, talks, and public art displays.  Stay tuned.

Seed swap (Jess) - At our December meeting, Holly Leopardi sponsored a winter-sowing seed stratification event.  As seeds start to sprout in the spring, we will plan a plant swap to share what we grew.

Public art project (Cheryl) - We are considering a variety of multi-staged projects that would encourage folks to come out on multiple occasions.  The plan is to focus on native birds in conjunction with the L4P/Laurel Museum collaboration.

Howard EcoWorks (Jess) - Two representatives from Howard EcoWorks came to our holiday party.  They want to plant more trees.  Heidi asks if we can make another offering to residents.  Jess says that they prefer to do plantings of ten trees, however maybe the trees could be in different locations.  There are plenty of spots by the river.  We want to make it worth their time to do the work of organizing, prepping and planting.  Also, Howard EcoWorks has invited L4P to their Martin Luther King Day of Service to take place on January 19th from 10am to 2pm.

Building relationship with new city government (Mike McLaughlin) - Mike wants to know if it’s worth the effort to work with the mayor if a project requires buy-in.  Mike suggests possible projects such as a green street program that the city would need to maintain.  Is the city willing to look at such projects?  What about the city council?  James says that the success or not of the weed ordinance will predict the success of other environmentally-friendly projects.  There is a Sustainability Year in Review on January 29th.

Continuing Projects

Laurel Native Habitats Program (Jimmy) - Jimmy has applied for a grant.  For Cohort 3, LNHP is building the new native plant guide into the plan.  Jimmy is selling the guides for $12.  Cohort 2 participant, Kerrie Allen, says she loved the process of creating the garden.  Her kids loved contributing by shoveling and moving woodchips.  People ask her about her garden all the time.

Litter cleanups (Holly) - The city has two dates on the calendar for litter cleanups in the spring, April 4th along the river and April 18 at Laurel Lakes.  Holly suggests that we show up for those events rather than do our own competing event.  Winter cleanups don’t always work well because it’s cold.  Fall is a better time.  Nothing is planned right now.  Mike McLaughlin says that, of course we'll show up for the city events but he’d like to see the city engage us as a partner for these events.  Jimmy agrees saying that we can bring in more people.

Poetry in the Parks (Cheryl) - The next event will take place on April 11th in the Municipal Pool meeting room.  Cheryl is trying to get approval to use a particular poem.

Updates

All things signs! (Brian) - The educational sign has been installed at the Chandler Robbins mural.  The garbage can was removed from the site so the mural looks finished and fine.  New signs have gone up at the Riverfront Park restoration site and at the Laurel Museum.  Another is planned for the Sweitzer garden.  We are working with Kate to design that sign.

Supplies and funds update (Jess) - We have previously purchased brush cutters.  We kept one and sold the other.  We have also purchased a chain saw.  We have the following funds available to us:

Remaining from the mural fundraising - $1700

From the County Council grant - $1800

For LNHP - $300

Unrestricted funds - $3500

Introduction of new meeting attendees (Jess) - Welcome to new members of our Laurel for the Patuxent family.  Jess asked folks to introduce themselves and how they came to L4P.  Alice Tracy was a member of the LNHP Cohort 2.  She came to the mural celebration and really enjoyed it.  Nikita Sidorchuk is reintegrating into the Laurel community after serving in the Peace Corps.  He found us and decided to jump in.  Kerrie Allen, who introduced herself earlier in the meeting, was also a member of Cohort 2.  We’re glad to have you all!