New Market Green Team

12/10/2024

By now, you've probably heard about the huge power line project slated to run through a large part of central Maryland... through our neighborhoods, farms, breweries, camps, parks, and backyards. This project does not benefit Marylanders and has many holes in the plan that need to be addressed. Please make YOUR voice heard and join your local Green Team in telling them to stop this project.

Email your concerns to be part of the public record:
[email protected]

More info here:
https://stopmprp.com/

12/04/2024

After Christmas in New Market 2024 on Saturday, our town will need a sprucing! Thanks to Rotary Club of New Market for organizing a clean up. If you'd like to join, please RSVP below and let the know you're coming. This is a great way to get SSL hours for high schoolers!

Send a message to learn more

09/27/2024

Something to consider when deciding on that lawn service contract 😉 Maybe sustainable is the way to go!

A green, freshly cut lawn has been an important American tradition for decades. It's a symbol of status and a place for the homeowner to enjoy their land. We're here to ask: has the concept of the uniform grass lawn become outdated? Are there ways to make your yard more sustainable? The answer is ye...

09/15/2024

What is a Conservation Landscape?
A conservation landscape is a garden that improves water quality, promotes and preserves native species, and provides wildlife habitat. Conservation landscaping replaces hard surfaces or turf grass of a traditional lawn with native plants. There are many social and environmental benefits that result from installing a conservation landscape.

The eight essential elements below represent the practice of conservation landscaping:
1. Designed to benefit the environment and function efficiently and aesthetically for human use and well-being;

2. Uses locally native plants that are appropriate for site conditions;

3. Institutes a management plan for the removal of existing invasive plants and the prevention of future nonnative plant invasions;

4. Provides habitat for wildlife;

5. Promotes healthy air quality and minimizes air pollution;

6. Conserves and cleans water;

7. Promotes healthy soils;

8. Managed to conserve energy, reduce waste, and eliminates or minimizes the use of pesticides and fertilizers.

https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/2021-03/CL_0370.pdf

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/conservation-landscaping/

Image courtesy of Rain Dog Designs

09/07/2024

Check out this video from Maryland Public Television that highlights NMES and the plum grove behind our school. The segments starts at about 9:10.

https://video.mpt.tv/video/episode-3505-n6ncfa/

If you want to help us harvest seeds from the plum grove that will go to the Maryland State Nursery, join us on 9/14 for PLUM-PALOOZA Double Header Volunteer Event!

Tree nursery, North bay for kids to connect to nature, School archery & state tournament.

09/04/2024

Hey New Market! As you get excited about fall and considering cleaning up your yard, consider the pollinators! Maybe you can put off that task a couple extra weekends!

“The impulse to ‘clean up our gardens for the fall’ has serious impacts on a whole host of pollinators and beneficial insects."

Say No to Garden Bed Cleanup this Fall!

Frederick County Master Gardeners have created an attractive and informative 12 x 18-inch corrugated plastic sign, suitable for outdoor use . The cost is $5, including a metal H-stake.

Signs are available now at the University of MD Extension Office, 330 Montevue Lane, 9 am to 4 pm weekdays. Please call ahead at 301-600-1596.

“The impulse to ‘clean up our gardens for the fall’ has serious impacts on a whole host of pollinators and beneficial insects,” according to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Most bees create small nests in the soil or in dead plant stems. Other beneficial insects also need the shelter of leaf litter to survive the cold weather. “Leave the leaves does not mean ignoring them and leaving them where they fell,” a Xerces expert explains. “You can move them to places in your yard where they are out of the way, will not kill your turf, and will still help wildlife.” Consider leaving cleanup of your garden beds until next spring—and let your neighbors know why.
For more info about the importance of protecting over-wintering pollinators and other beneficial insects, see:

xerces.org/blog/leave-leaves-to-benefit-wildlife
xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/18-014.pdf

07/10/2024

Wondering what ‘natives’ are and why they matter? Check this out!

And help us welcome Ecoplantia to downtown Frederick! 🙌🏼

Plants native to our region have adapted to our conditions for thousands of years. Roots pe*****te deep into the soil providing water and nourishment that regular ornamentals cannot achieve. These roots also aid in building up organic matter, enriching your soil more each year. Because of the root mass, you will have better drainage and aeration in the soil as well as higher carbon sequestration. Native gardening transitions from selfish gardening to selfless gardening. It embodies the bigger picture of life and every native plant and garden installed, sets up future generations for a better world than we live in today. Join the movement, plant for the future!

05/15/2024

Wouldn’t you love to see this by us?

04/04/2024

Meet up!

Trail cleanups, library festivals, sustainability expos, block parties—there's a lot going on, and our staff is in on the action! Subscribe to our events calendar to get updates on local green events. We'd love to meet you in person!

https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/8471/Upcoming-Events

* Up Next: See you at the Town of Thurmont's and Frederick County Public Libraries Green Fest on Saturday, April 13, from 10am - 2pm at the Thurmont Library. Free trees, lots of activities, nature trail and story time, local artists and businesses, all exploring ways to go green!