Patapsco Valley Heritage Area

05/22/2025

The spring event season is wrapping up, but there’s still time to join us for a few final events!

Wednesday, May 28 at 7 PM: Johnnycake Jolt PHG Family Fun Run at Patapsco Valley State Park, Pickall Area
Learn more and register at https://ow.ly/bs4k50VX4j8

Saturday, June 7 at 9 AM: Cleanup and Invasive Removal at Historic Oella Cemetery
Learn more and register at https://ow.ly/eV9O50VX4jb

Sunday, June 8 at 11 AM: Historic Paint Color Lecture with Preservation Maryland at the Museum of Howard County History
Learn more and register at https://ow.ly/uiRK50VX4jc

05/15/2025

We are delighted to recognize a generous contribution from the Howard County Bird Club, supported by a bequest from Elsa Ponce, to assist with further development of our watershed video, Watershed in Time: Exploring the Patapsco’s Past, Present and Future.

Expanding this project from a brief three minute video to one that includes additional rich content and compelling visualizations will contribute to our efforts across program areas and allow us to continue providing vital watershed education opportunities to schools, youth groups and the general public.

Watch our short watershed video at patapsco.org/stewardship/resources

05/14/2025

Join Preservation Maryland and Patapsco Heritage Greenway for an exciting event exploring historic paint colors!

During this in-person lecture on Sunday, June 8, Christiana Limniatis from Preservation Maryland will provide an introduction to the historic use of paint, review popular trends over time, and explain how you can use historic examples and modern color theory to influence your current painting project.

This presentation is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended.

Register at https://ow.ly/RXuF50VSOm0

05/13/2025

Get your kids moving and inspired at the Johnnycake Jolt Family Fun Run on Wednesday, May 28, proudly sponsored by Patapsco Heritage Greenway! This non-competitive, one-mile run/walk is designed especially for families and younger participants. Enjoy the scenic trails of the Pickall area of Patapsco Valley State Park, and stop by fun activity stations along the course. Free pizza and popsicles will be available for all participants after the Fun Run!

Learn more and register at fpvsp.org/johnnycake-jolt

05/08/2025

We’ll be on the Trolley Trail again this Mother’s Day weekend for Family Day! Join us this Saturday to explore the stream, discover the aquatic critters in our local waterways, make native seed balls, and enjoy a Storybook Walk courtesy of Backwater Books.

RSVP at https://ow.ly/Oc4c50VPsVh

05/07/2025

It’s been a busy spring season!

With the help of our incredible volunteers, we've maintained 339 trees, removed over 3,500 pounds of trash, and cleared more than 124,300 square feet of invasive plants from the Patapsco watershed!

This spring, 6th grade students from Catonsville Middle School joined us at Patapsco Valley State Park for their Earth Day series. They learned about agroforestry, Patapsco valley ecology and the water quality of the Patapsco River. Whether they were in the river identifying macroinvertebrates or conducting a bioblitz, everyone enjoyed the chance to explore and learn outdoors in the park.

Want to get involved? Join us for these upcoming stewardship events:

Sunday, May 18 at 10 AM – Cleanup & Invasive Plant Removal at Howard Crossing Apartments, Ellicott City
Register at https://ow.ly/Ix5850VO61j

Saturday, May 24 at 8:30 AM- Invasive Removal at the Hilton area of Patapsco Valley State Park, as part of Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park’s Patapsco Fun Series
Register at https://ow.ly/yyIO50VO61k
(Public Sign-Up opens May 10)

Saturday, June 7 at 9 AM – Cleanup & Invasive Plant Removal at Historic Oella Cemetery
Register at https://ow.ly/Hrg950VO61n

05/06/2025

Family Day on the Trolley Trail is this Saturday! Meet us on the trail for a day of family-friendly activities!

RSVP at patapsco.org/events

04/24/2025

Join us in May for Family Day on the Trolley Trail—along with cleanups, invasive plant removals and tree maintenance events in the Patapsco Valley!

View PHG's event calendar at patapsco.org/events

04/22/2025

At Patapsco Heritage Greenway, we work to preserve, protect, interpret, and restore the natural resources of the Patapsco River Valley. We uphold the sentiment that as humans we are inherently connected to and part of our environments, and that we are shaped by these environments just as much as they are shaped by us.

This Earth Day, we invite you to explore that connection with our short video, Watershed in Time. Watch the video to learn more about watersheds and what you can do to help improve watershed health in the Patapsco and beyond.

04/17/2025

04/15/2025

We are now accepting photo entries for PaSNAPsco 2025!

You have until November 1st to submit your photos—plenty of time to explore and photograph the landscapes, nature, history, and activities that make the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area so unique!

We’ve updated the contest this year with new and refreshed categories to inspire your creativity. Check them out below:

STEP BACK: Capture sites in the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area that highlight the region’s unique history and heritage.

GET OUT: Snap photos of people enjoying outdoor recreational activities, including cycling, hiking and fishing.

NATURE NURTURES: Showcase the plants and wildlife that call the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area home.

VALLEY VIEWS: Photograph the region’s natural environment, including landscapes, waterscapes and the Patapsco River.

SIGHTS, SOUNDS & STREETSCAPES: Capture the energy of Main Streets, such as Ellicott City and Catonsville, as well as art and music festivals, performances and cultural events.

ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHER: A special category for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Learn more and submit your photos at patapsco.org/attraction/pasnapsco

04/14/2025

Join us on on Saturday, April 19th for Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park’s Volunteer Trailwork event. PHG is hosting the invasive plant removal at the Hilton Area of the Patapsco Valley State Park in Catonsville.

Sign-up at friendspvsp.wildapricot.org/event-6040734