The Explore the Gunpowder Watershed Challenge encourages participants to complete 45 miles of outdoor activity between May 1 and June 14. Forty-five miles is symbolic of the size of the Gunpowder Watershed (450+ square miles), our local connection to the Chesapeake Bay.

I'll share some highlights from my adventures in the Gunpowder Watershed here!

I settled in Baltimore County just before the birth of my older son, Asa. It was a wonderful adventure to discover my new home through the eyes of a curious child! In time, I learned that our favorite places, like Honeygo Run and Loch Raven Reservoir, were part of the Gunpowder Watershed and that was what connected us to the Chesapeake Bay.

Fast forward over a decade, I'm now the Communications Manager for Gunpowder Valley Conservancy (GVC).  The GVC is both a land trust and watershed nonprofit. I love being able to connect people to resources and hands-on experiences that help reduce pollution to our local waterways. This is SO important in my own neighborhood since almost two-thirds of Baltimore's drinking water originates within the Gunpowder watershed!

Please help me reach my goal of raising $200 to support the GVC. Thank you so much for donating so that other families can enjoy the simple wonder of playing in clean water!