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Volume 16, Issue 42 - October 16 - October 22, 2008
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Columns |
Eco Day at Herring Bay
Take a nature walk, paint a rain barrel, dig in the sand for sharks’ teeth and fill up with wholesome treats
by Margaret Tearman
It’s one big organic happening at Herrington Harbour’s first annual Eco-Day, Sunday, October 19.
The main event is Herrington’s new, one-mile long Eco Walk, designed by local naturalist Lisa Bierer-Garrett.
“We used existing paths and boardwalks for the trail,” Bierer-Garrett explains. “We put up signs along the trail telling you what you can see at each vantage point, like here’s a great place to see fiddler crabs at low tide, and here is a diamondback terrapin habitat. Or this is where you can see a muskrat.”
The trail officially opens at 2:30pm with a ribbon cutting.
“It’s wonderful to see how nature co-exists with the busy marina,” says Bierer-Garrett.
Take It Home
Experts are on hand to help you make your home eco-friendly.
Learn how to turn household garbage into rich compost with Lou Shell, master gardener with the Home and Garden Center at University of Maryland extension. He’ll be giving out free advice — and composting bins — throughout the day.
Rain garden designer Anne Pearson will show you how to channel summer downpours into earth-friendly growth.
Young artists can take a turn decorating rain barrels while learning the importance of water conservation. At days end, each of the three artistic masterpieces will be sold.
“We want to teach kids the importance of recycling,” says Herrington Harbour’s Anna Chaney-Willman. “Greenstreet Gardens has donated recyclable pots, and we’re putting a plant in each. Kids decorate the pot here, take it home and plant it. If they bring the pot back next year, we’ll put another plant in it.”
Plenty to Do — and Eat
The inaugural Eco-Day promises a full four hours of environmentally friendly fun.
“There will be birds of prey to see, a touch-tank full of Chesapeake Bay natives like crabs, and our beach is a huge natural sandbox to dig for shells and sharks’ teeth,” says Chaney-Willman.
To get a terrapin’s view of the event, kayaks and paddle boats will be waiting for you, at no charge.
With all this walking, painting, potting and paddling, you are sure to work up a hearty fall appetite.
“There will be plenty of good food,” promises Chaney-Willman. “Chef Tom will be baking loaves of organic artisan bread, and Harris Orchards will be on hand with their apple cider. We’ll also have locally and organically grown tomato-basil soup, organic chicken salad and organic beef barbecue on organic rolls.”
You’ll need every minute to sample it all.