A HOUSE becomes a home when a family moves in and fills it with life.

A housing development becomes a community when people move in and fill it with life.

The Piney Orchard neighborhood in Odenton has taken another significant step toward becoming a strong community through the efforts of the Piney Orchard Nature Preserve Committee.

With more than four miles of walking paths and a two-mile bike path, the nature preserve has drawn thousands of nature lovers to the beauty of Maryland's countryside. A certified Maryland wildlife preserve, it is home to frogs, turtles, snakes, birds, fish, beavers and other animals.

The preserve was established by Constellation Real Estate Group, developer of the Piney Orchard community, working with state and local government groups dedicated to the environment. When construction of Piney Orchard is complete, the Piney Orchard Community Association will take over from Constellation the role of managing the nature preserve.

With that in mind, the association recently established the Piney Orchard Nature Preserve Subcommittee. During the past several months, the subcommittee has been working with Constellation and with community groups to expand awareness of this local treasure.

One of the first volunteers for the subcommittee was Catherine Weber, who moved to Piney Orchard a year and a half ago and fell in love with the beauty of the preserve's trails. Leading a group of about 12 volunteers, she has worked to get the community involved in enjoying and protecting the preserve.

Local Boy Scout groups have helped with a nesting box project to support the growth of the area's bird population. A group of bog specialists from the state government visited to advise the group about ecological needs of the area. Weber held a preserve tour for science teachers from Piney Orchard Elementary School who are now involving their science classes in projects to improve the area.

One member of the subcommittee is a naturalist, sponsored by Constellation, who has been studying the plants and animals in the preserve, providing contacts with scientists familiar with their needs and helping to advise on ideas for developing and protecting the habitats.

When Debra Peak heard about the preserve subcommittee, she quickly got involved. She loves walking outdoors and is committed to preserving the beauty of the local trails. Last weekend, she organized a fall walk through the preserve, under the auspices of the Chesapeake Bay Country Wanderers, a walking club of the Maryland Volkssport Association. The 359 nature lovers from around the country visited the nature preserve, following 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer trails through the outdoor beauty.

On Nov. 24, the preserve will hold the Maryland Native Plant Society Fall Walk to identify plants in the preserve. Weber says this will be a great opportunity for plant enthusiasts to learn from experts how to identify trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers that are native to our region, to learn about the benefits of planting native species and the problems of invasive nonnative species. The event will begin at the nature preserve parking lot at 10 a.m. and continue until about 3 p.m.

The subcommittee also is involved in projects as trail maintenance, signage and development of a Web site.

Peak looks forward to a growing number of visitors to the preserve with its springtime wildflowers, summertime lily pads on the lake, the great blue heron rookery, the beavers, the red-shouldered hawks and the peace of the outdoors.

Information about the nature preserve or the Nov. 24 fall walk: Catherine Weber, 410-519-3185.