FROM THE time he was 16 years old, Aelred Geis knew what his life's work would be. He made up his mind to become a wildlife biologist.
A native of the Chicago area, Geis witnessed substantial development on the outskirts of the city and saw its impact on wildlife.
Some 50 years later, after earning a doctorate in wildlife management, teaching at Michigan State University and working for 30 years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Geis is still practicing his life's work.
In honor of his recent efforts, Howard County Conservancy presented its first Sen. James Clark Jr. Land Stewardship Award to Geis on Tuesday. He was recognized for his work in protecting Howard County land and its natural resources, primarily 1,000 acres of the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area.
Geis, who has lived in Clarksville for 43 years, has done research on the effects of development on bird populations. He studied the implications of storm water management structures. This work was done in Columbia and other areas.
Regarding the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, across Trotter Road from his property, Geis said, "An effort was made to preserve the area because of its outstanding wildlife population."
With this goal, he and others established the Middle Patuxent Valley Association, which resulted in the county purchasing 1,000 acres of property from the Rouse Co. The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks oversees the land.
The Rouse Co. used the funds it received from the sale of the land to establish the Middle Patuxent Environmental Foundation, which employs a full-time wildlife biologist to manage the area.
"The area was originally noted for its extraordinarily high woodcock population, which has declined," said Geis. He is hopeful that the county will re-establish fields that will attract more woodcock. Once vegetation becomes too mature, the birds leave for other areas. Cutting down some vegetation will create more fields suitable for woodcock.
Why did Geis work so hard to protect this land?
"I see the importance of having land like that available for people who are raised in an urban area," he explained. "As a youth, I benefited from the forest preserves near my home in Chicago. I'd like others to have a similar opportunity here."
The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area is available for use by anyone, and it is especially popular with bird watchers. A trail system that goes through the area can be entered from a parking lot on the east side of Trotter Road, about a mile south of Route 108.
Geis cautions that the trails are little more than dirt paths that are flagged in some places. The trail passes along the Middle Patuxent River and then loops back to the starting point.
There is a lot of beauty in the area, Geis said. "There is a rich variety of situations -- from abandoned farmland to well-established woods."
This isn't Geis' first involvement with land preservation. He was the first landowner to put property into a conservation easement with the Howard County Conservancy and the Maryland Environmental Trust. Program participants continue to own their land, but they give up development rights.
The Sen. James Clark Jr. Land Stewardship Award carries with it a $1,000 grant. Geis plans to give the money to Middle Patuxent Environmental Foundation and Howard County Conservancy to be used for environmental education and land management programs.
After retiring 13 years ago, Geis continued to be active in wildlife management. He is research director for Wild Bird Centers of America, a retail operation with franchises all over the country. In this role, he develops products such as a device for feeding mealworms to bluebirds.
Geis' wife, Shirley, is active with 4-H clubs in Howard County. She is a retired National Institutes of Health research microbiologist.
Jazz concerts
Next weekend, western Howard County will be host for two jazz concerts.
The Glenelg High School Jazz Band will perform at 8 p.m. March 25 in the school auditorium. The evening will feature soloist David Steinmeyer, former lead trombone for the Airmen of Note, the Air Force's premier jazz ensemble.
Proceeds from the concert will be used for the Glenelg band's trip to Europe this summer. Tickets are $5 and are available from any jazz ensemble member or by calling 410-313-5533.
Glenelg High School is at 14025 Burnt Woods Road in Glenelg.
River Hill High School will sponsor a concert with the Navy's jazz ensemble, the Commodores. The performance will start at 7: 30 p.m. March 26 in the school auditorium.
The River Hill Music Boosters are sponsoring the concert, and admission is free. The school is at 12101 Route 108 in Clarksville.
Information: 410-313-6927.
Pub Date: 3/18/99