Go Green In Howard County!
Where Fun Eco-Friendly Activities Abound
As we enter the 21st century, more and more people are conscious of the preciousness of the environment and now desire to re-connect with nature at home and when they travel. With advances in transportation and technology, even the most remote areas are just a click away. In fact, tourism is now one of the world’s largest industries, with nature tourism – often referred to as “ecotourism” or “eco-conscious”– its fastest growing segment. This term has become increasingly popular in both conservation and travel circles, but what exactly does it really mean? According to The Nature Conservancy and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) ecotourism is defined as: “Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and accompanying cultural features, both past and present) that promote conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local peoples.”
Howard County has a long history of ecotourism and is home to the Patapsco Valley State Park, Maryland’s oldest and one of its largest public open spaces that extends along 32 miles of the Patapsco River, encompassing 16,000 acres and five extensive recreational areas. Historically, the valley has been enjoyed by Native Americans, explorers and early settlers. Present-day visitors can indulge in hiking, biking, birding, fishing, camping, canoeing, tubing, horseback riding, and picnicking, or participate in guided nature walks and history talks. Celebrating its 100th year, the Patapsco Valley State Park completed the renovation of its Avalon Visitor’s Center thanks to construction services donated by Harkins Builders and also opened the paved Grist Mill Trail (5K) with a new suspension bridge over the river that is easily accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
Howard County is well-known for its lovely lakes and picturesque parks all connected by miles and miles of paved scenic pathways. Howard County’s Department of Recreation & Parks manages an award-winning 7,000+ acre scenic park system including historic sites, areas for nature viewing and out-of-doors leisure. Their mission is to promote opportunities to pursue safe and enjoyable leisure activities in balance with the protection and conservation of natural resources. Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks has acquired an 18-acre property adjacent to the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA.) to build The Robinson Nature Center, its first state-of-the-art “green building” housing a environmentally sensitive nature center with a outdoor trail system and outdoor learning exhibits.
Recently, celebrating its 40th Birthday, Columbia was founded with the vision to create a beautiful environment for its residents and purposefully infuse nature into the lives of all who visit and live here. The Columbia Association maintains more than 3,400 acres of open space, including 265 footbridges, 170 tot lots, the 40-acre Symphony Woods, 40 ponds and lakes, and natural open space areas, all woven together by more than 100 miles of pathways for walking, biking and jogging.
L. L Bean at The Mall in Columbia offers “Walk-On Adventures,” which invites anyone to enjoy 1½ to 2½ hour ecotourism experiences: simply sign up, and all necessary equipment and shuttle service to popular Centennial Lake is provided. L. L Bean’s tours gives visitors and residents the opportunity to learn about and view the dynamic wildlife that abounds while improving kayaking or fly-casting skills. Terrapin Adventure at Historic Savage Mill offers ziplines, high and low ropes courses, a gigantic swing and a climbing tower all with views of a lovingly restored 18th century cotton mill and parkland.
Merriweather Post Pavilion our most popular tourism attraction was designed by the world renowned architect Frank Gehry, who accepted the challenge of developing a modern outdoor concert hall that would least disturb the natural topography of the wooded site. Forty years later, Merriweather continues its tradition of being environmentally responsible and uses high-efficiency light bulbs backstage and even does on-site composting for growing new grass and nurturing the historic beech trees on the property. Howard County Executive Ken Ulman presented Merriweather / I.M.P. the county’s first “Green Salute” Award for making an effort to preserve the environment for future generations.
Just 20 minutes from Columbia with beautiful vistas of the Patapsco Valley is the Gudelsky Environmental Education Center at the Howard County Conservancy, on-site at Mt. Pleasant a 300-year-old farm. Opened in 2005, it is Howard County’s first nature center and operates as a nature reserve and educational facility. In keeping with its mission, the Center was built with many “green” elements, including recycled bamboo and tire flooring and full spectrum lighting. The center offers programs on local animal and plant life found in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. With a variety of habitats and micro-climates, the Conservancy’s 232 acres of rolling hills are perfectly suited for nature study and exploration. More than 140 species of birds and other wildlife make their home at the Conservancy and in the surrounding area.
As the desire for ecotourism experiences grows, Howard County Tourism & Promotion has collaborated with the many parks, nature centers and outdoor recreation areas to produce an all encompassing Howard County Wildlife Viewing brochure that describes by location the wildlife and wildflower viewing opportunities available throughout Howard County.
However, simply desiring and engaging in ecotourism experiences is not enough to be green. As an industry, we must also look for ways for travelers and residents to further reduce their impact on the environment. Travelers want eco-friendly lodging, hybrid rental cars and request locally organically grown food. Even the $73 billion wedding industry are heeding brides who blog about using biodegradable confetti called Ecofetti,, invitations printed with soy ink on 100% percent post-consumer waste recycled paper, giving departing guests small jars locally grown preserves, jellies or handcrafted soaps, requiring an on-site recycling station, serving fair-trade coffee and donating leftovers to a local shelter.
The truly eco-conscious travelers are now “carbon neutral.” New Oxford American Dictionary recently added “carbon neutral’’ and it refers “to the point at which greenhouse gas emissions from one’s activities, such as driving or flying, are offset by planting trees or investing in solar, wind or other clean-energy projects.” Many airlines and travel websites like Orbitz are offering opportunities to calculate then purchase your carbon offsets conveniently while booking your travel. A local alternative to reduce your carbon footprint is purchasing Blossoms of Hope kwanzan cherry trees for your business or home. The Blossoms of Hope trees (1500 planted thus far) beautify Howard County and positively impacts our environment because as all trees grow they provide other benefits in addition to carbon capture. Trees provide a habitat and they provide shade. Trees store carbon both above ground, in the leaves and branches, but also below ground, in the root system. Tree roots create a habitat below ground as well as preventing soil erosion.
Howard County encourages and embraces environmentally responsible travel to natural areas to enjoy and appreciate nature, which supports conservation efforts and ultimately benefits and engages our residents. To that end, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman’s Administration’s signature campaign is the bold and innovative protection of the environment in Howard County by the creation of the Howard County Commission on the Environment and Sustainability.
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman said “Howard County Government has already done a lot to make ourselves a model green community. However there is still much more we can do, even in terms of leisure activity. Whether it’s enjoying Howard County’s great natural areas or just being conscientious of the resources you use, there is a role for everyone to play.”
By Rachelina Bonacci, Executive Director, Howard County Tourism & Promotion
