Program offers trees to some homeowners
The Backyard Stream Releaf Program, sponsored by the Howard County Department of Public Works' Bureau of Environmental Services, is offering free native trees and shrubs to homeowners whose property includes a stream.
The program is designed to increase streamside buffer zones along county waterways, filtering pollutants, controlling erosion, creating shade and providing food and habitat for aquatic and riparian species.
Information: Laura Miller, 410-313-6434.
Stream cleanup set for Sunday
Friends of the Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway will hold a stream cleanup from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Miller Run, off U.S. 40 in Catonsville.
In addition, Howard Community College freshmen and other volunteers will clean up along Bascom Creek, off Deep Run, one of the major streams flowing into the Patapsco River in Elkridge, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 3.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Long pants and shirt are recommended to ward off insects and guard against prickly underbrush. Waterproof shoes or boots and sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended. Restrooms will not be available.
Volunteers for the Aug. 3 event will meet at Glenmore and Athol avenues (look for the red Jeep) near the bridge, and they should take work or garden gloves and a shovel, if possible; tires embedded near the stream need to be dug out. Park along Glenmore Avenue, in the Harwood Park neighborhood, in Elkridge.
In the event of light rain: 410-480-0824. In case of heavy rain, the cleanup will be rescheduled.
Patapsco park needs help in many areas
Patapsco Valley State Park is seeking volunteers to staff visitor centers, lead interpretive programs, guide nature walks and hikes, host camps, care for animals, maintain trails, work on publicity and publications, garden, take photographs and help with general maintenance.
Volunteers are needed to help the park trail crew maintain trails from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow, Aug. 18, Sept. 29 (National Public Lands Day) and Oct. 20.
Registration several days in advance is requested.
Information: Larry Martin, 410-465-3287, or e-mail lmartin @dnr.state.md.us.
Volunteer teen camp is taking registration
Camp Make a Difference, a summer volunteer program for high school students, is accepting registration for the weeks of July 23 and July 30.
Participants will volunteer with the Arc of Howard County, Day's End Farm Horse Rescue, Howard County Conservancy and other local agencies addressing poverty, environmental problems, animal welfare, as well as helping the aging and those with developmental disabilities.
The program is offered through a partnership between the Volunteer Center serving Howard County and the Columbia Association's camps department.
Information: Mickey Gomez, 410-715-3176, or www.colum biaassociation.org and click on "For Teens and Tots" and then on "Camps."
Neighbor Ride service is seeking drivers
Neighbor Ride, a volunteer-based supplemental transportation program for Howard County residents ages 60 and older, is seeking drivers for daytime, evening and weekend service.
Volunteer orientations are offered at the Neighbor Ride office, 8808 Centre Park Drive.
Information: Rosemary Noble, volunteer coordinator, 410-884-7433, or e-mail volunteer@neighborride.org.
Adoptive homes for greyhounds
Greyhound Welfare is seeking adoptive homes and volunteers for its retired racing greyhounds.
The dogs, former racers from East Coast tracks, are elegant and gentle. They are kept in foster homes until adopted.
Information: 301-949-0615, or www.greyhoundwelfare.org.
Send volunteer announcements to howard.events@baltsun.com or fax to 410-715-2816.