PROGRAM: Turning Waste Into Resources

The Crofton Village Garden Club welcomed Dana Strotman, Recycling Specialist with Anne Arundel County, for an informative presentation on recycling and responsible waste management. Dana explained how the County’s recycling program helps reduce pollution, conserve natural resources, save energy, and extend the life of our landfill.

Dana gave members a behind-the-scenes look at the Millersville Landfill and Recovery Facility, which opened in 1975. Located on 567.66 acres, it is the only active municipal solid waste landfill owned by Anne Arundel County. The facility is carefully designed and monitored to protect air quality, groundwater, and nearby streams. Members also learned about the Landfill Gas to Electricity facility, which uses two Caterpillar generators to produce 3.2 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 2,000 homes.
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The County also operates a composting facility that processes approximately 20,000 to 25,000 tons of yard waste each year, including grass, leaves, brush, small branches, and weeds.

Anne Arundel County uses a convenient single-stream recycling system, allowing residents to place all accepted recyclables in the same cart. The materials are processed at Waste Management Recycle America in Elkridge. Paper and cardboard are turned into new paper products, metals become new containers and other products, plastics can become everything from new bottles to carpeting and clothing, and glass is recycled into new glass products or used in construction.

Dana reminded members that recycling is an important part of protecting our environment and making the most of our natural resources. Every item we properly recycle helps reduce waste and preserve the County’s landfill for future generations.

She also introduced members to Recycle Coach, a helpful phone app that provides recycling, trash, and yard waste information, recycling quizzes, and customized collection reminders. It’s an easy way to make sure we are recycling correctly and doing our part for a cleaner, more sustainable community.

A special thank-you to our hostesses, Catherine Reardon, lead hostess, along with Verna Pond, Yael Beckman, and Trish Lilek Demers, for creating such a lovely way to say goodbye to summer. Seashells and beautiful blue hydrangea arrangements added a touch of the beach to the buffet table, while music played in the background. In support of the FGCMD President’s Stewards of the Earth initiative, compostable paper goods and utensils were used for the gathering. Their thoughtful touches created a festive and welcoming atmosphere while reflecting our commitment to being good stewards of our environment.

PROGRAM: Marland's 5 Million Trees Initiative for a Greener Future

​At today's garden club meeting, members had the opportunity to learn about a statewide effort that is fundamentally reshaping Maryland’s environment. Guest speaker Alfred "Freddy" Bascom, Community Forestry Coordinator from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, detailed the state’s pledge to plant and maintain 5 million native trees by 2031. This initiative, established through the landmark Tree Solutions Now Act of 2021, represents a massive commitment by the Maryland General Assembly to restore the tree canopy, cool our neighborhoods, and protect the long-term health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

A highlight of Freddy’s presentation was the critical role of afforestation—the process of establishing new forest cover on lands that have not recently been forested. Unlike reforestation, which replaces trees in existing woodlands, afforestation expands the state's total canopy into new areas. This effort is supported by the John S. Ayton State Tree Nursery, which is proactively increasing native seedling stock to meet the surge in demand. A primary focus of this expansion is the enhancement of riparian forest buffers, vital "streamside" plantings that act as nature's filters. By stabilizing shorelines and filtering runoff, these buffers are essential for improving water quality, preventing soil erosion, and creating interconnected corridors of wildlife habitat.

Freddy highlighted that while state agencies provide the framework, the success of the 2031 target relies heavily on close collaboration with local organizations and private residents. Freddy emphasized that every tree counts, explaining how data from individual backyard plantings is integrated into the state’s tracking tools to show a complete picture of Maryland's growing canopy.

For Marylanders and local environmental advocates, this initiative offers a meaningful way to contribute to a movement with a multi-generational impact. This is not just a government project, but a community-wide mission where everyone can participate directly, from utilizing the state’s "Marylanders Plant Trees" $25 coupons to organizing small-scale neighborhood planting projects. By focusing on native species and the principles of afforestation, our community is doing more than just beautifying our streets; we are strengthening climate resilience and ensuring a healthier environment for the future. As we move forward, the lessons shared by Freddy serve as a reminder that through collective action, we can help Maryland reach its 5 million tree goal and grow a more sustainable legacy for all.

PROGRAM: Where Water Flows: Simple Solutions for a Healthier Bay

Today's program, Where Water Flows: Simple Solutions for a Healthier Bay, was presented by Denise Frey, Master Watershed Steward. Denise guided us through the path water takes from our gardens and neighborhoods to local streams, rivers, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. She explained how stormwater runoff can carry nutrients, fertilizers, and pollutants into waterways, and highlighted practical steps we can take to make a difference — from planting native species and creating healthy soils to reducing runoff with conservation landscaping. Denise’s presentation was both eye-opening and encouraging, reminding us that small changes at home can add up to a cleaner, healthier Bay for everyone.

In 2021, Crofton Village Garden Club supported the Crofton High School Green Team with funding to help establish a pollinator garden on the school grounds. 

Planted with native flowers and grasses, the garden attracts bees, butterflies, and other local pollinators while giving students hands-on experience in caring for the environment. A fun feature of the garden is the Bug Hotel, which offers shelter for beneficial insects like solitary bees and ladybugs. It's both a creative addition and a learning tool for students.

By helping to fund this project, the Crofton Village Garden Club continues its mission to encourage conservation and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

World Bee Day: Protecting Pollinators, Preserving Our Future
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May 20 is World Bee Day, established by the United Nations to raise awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators to our environment, food supply, and biodiversity. Bees pollinate more than 75% of the world’s food crops and nearly 90% of wild flowering plants, making them essential not only to our gardens but to global agriculture and natural ecosystems. Unfortunately, bee populations are declining due to threats like habitat loss, pesticide use, disease, and climate change. On World Bee Day, and every day, we can help by planting native flowers, avoiding harmful chemicals, creating bee-friendly habitats, supporting local beekeepers, and educating others about pollinator conservation. Every flower planted and pesticide avoided brings us one step closer to a healthier planet, full of color, flavor, and life.