Introducing EPIC’s Adopt-a-Trail Program

EPIC is now offering the unique opportunity to sponsor sections of our Montgomery County trail system.

WHY SPONSOR?
Pledging your support for our Adopt-a-Trail program is an easy way to support the EPIC trails and help maintain them. It will allow us to continue our mission to preserve land for equestrian use throughout Montgomery County and its Agricultural Reserve. One hundred percent of your tax-deductible donation goes to trail maintenance.

WHAT IS INCLUDED?
EPIC will have a custom sign made with your name, that of your business or a person or a horse you’d like to honor. The sign will be posted on a marker on one of our trail systems. We will send you a photo of your sign with the trail and post number once it is installed. We also will note your contribution in our newsletter. Your sponsorship is effective for five years.

WHAT TRAILS CAN I SPONSOR?
You can select any unclaimed marker, or we can choose  one for you.

WHAT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY?
Once you have requested your sponsorship, you have no further responsibility other than to enjoy our wonderful trail system! EPIC will continue to maintain the trails.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
We offer two payment options: Pay $250 up front, and the balance will be billed to you in two yearly installments of $125 each for a total pledge of $500. Or you can save $50 with a one-time upfront payment of $450.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Pay via PayPal on the membership page of our website at www.epicmontgomery.org, email info@epicmontgomery.org or give us a call at (240) 338-0072.

Urgent: Please Take Action to Protect Montgomery County’s Family Farms

From the Montgomery Countryside Alliance:

Montgomery County Ag Advisory Committee

Manna Testimony

Letter from Reserve Farmer

Action Alert: Federal Equestrian Trail Funding in Jeopardy

From Equine Land Conservation Resource:

February 1, 2012—On Thursday, February 2, 2012, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s “Transportation Reauthorization Proposal,” will be considered in the markup of “The American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act” House Bill (currently H.R.7).

This Bill is a wholesale reform of federal surface transportation programs, eliminating all earmarks, including the requirement for federal set-asides such as Transportation Enhancements, including the RTP (Recreational Trails Program), and Safe Routes to Schools, that have provided the majority of trail, walking, and bicycling funding in the United States.

The bill could be voted on by the Committee this week.  Before that happens, there is a great need for you to contact your representative to express your support for continued funding.

Per an Action Alert from American Trails, here is a summary of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s “Transportation Reauthorization Proposal, PLUS links to learn more and HOW TO TAKE ACTION!

How To Take Action
There is strength in numbers and we need to present a unified voice for trails, to tell their story, to present their endless benefits, and to make the case for funding them. We urge you to contact your Representative and stress the importance of dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School, including the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) — essential programs that make trails and active transportation possible and that are vital to your local efforts.

1. See below for an example support letter:
2. Attend the live webcast of the markup at transportation.house.gov, on Thursday, February 2, 2012; 9:00 a.m. EASTERN, 2167 Rayburn House Office Building
3. Please see if your member of Congress is on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
   • If your Representative IS on the Committee, please call or email their office ASAP and ask them to preserve dedicated funding for these critical trail and bike/ped programs.
   • If your Representative ISN’T on the Committee, their support is still vital! Please remind them of local projects that have benefited their District. Ask them to encourage T & I Committee members to preserve these programs. Also, they will have a vote when the bill goes before the full House.
4. Contact your Representative by visiting this website here.
5. Spread the word through your networks!

Talking Points

• Funding spent on trails, bike/ped facilities, parks, and outdoor recreation is a sound investment in the country’s economy.
• Bicycling and walking make up 12 percent of all trips, but only 1.5 percent of federal funding.
• One-quarter of children’s traffic deaths happen when they are walking or bicycling and are struck by cars. Safe Routes to School funds help ensure funding for critical sidewalks, crosswalks, and safety infrastructure to protect children and prevent unnecessary deaths.
• The more bicycles on the road; the fewer cars needed — resulting in less congestion, better air quality, and reduced road repair work needed.
• The health of our children, as well as our cities, will depend on expanding transportation choices and preserving trails, open space, parks, and places for recreation.

Read more about the benefits of trails and find talking points to help you make the case for trails and bike/ped facilities on the American Trails website.

Check the  American Trails “Supporting Trails” webpage often for the latest news regarding Reauthorization.

Sample Letter
(Please edit to reflect your region, community, situation)

Dear Representative ___________,

As an avid equestrian and caring citizen, I recognize the importance of youth and adults getting out and enjoying the outdoors and beauty of nature. I therefore urge you to consider the following request regarding H.R.7, to become the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act (currently H.R.7), and the Transportation Reauthorization Proposal.

Access to trails and pathways for horses, walkers, hikers and bikers is of critical importance to the health and wellbeing of an increasingly obese and unhealthy population. Exercise gained through trail use is beneficial to the body, mind and spirit. This is especially true of horseback trail riding.  It is said that “The best way to see the world is through the ears of a horse!”

Unless the Transportation Reauthorization Proposal to is changed, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act will effectively eliminate the Recreational Trails Program. Please amend the proposal and bill to include dedicated funding for RTP.

Respectfully,

Your name, address and affiliations

Mont. Co. Offers Free Equine Seminar Series

Presented by the Montgomery Soil Conservation District and University of Maryland Extension Montgomery

Wednesday, February 8  at 6:30 pm (snow date February 9)
“Forage Sampling and Forage Quality”
Dr. Les Vough, University of Maryland Emeritus

“Equine Digestive System and Nutrients”
Dr. Amy Burk, University of Maryland

Wednesday, March 7 at 6:30 pm (snow date March
“Top 5 Pasture Weeds and Their Control”
Doug Tregoning, UME

“Extension Equine Resources”
Jennifer Reynolds, UME

“Business Plans for Horse Operations”
Pam Saul, Farm & Equine Business Services

Location:
Agricultural History Farm Park
18410 Muncaster Road
Derwood, MD  20855

To register, or for information, including rescheduling due to inclement weather, please contact Ms. Karen Walker at 301.590.2855 or visit www.montgomeryscd.org.

Seminar sponsored by MidAtlantic Farm Credit.

EPIC Receives Grant to Expand Breezy Loop Equestrian Trail

January 31, 2012–Equestrian Partners in Conservation (EPIC) received a $2,000 grant from the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) on January 21, 2012. EPIC website manager Stacey Nedrow-Wigmore accepted the check on behalf of the organization during an awards ceremony at the Maryland Horse World Expo in Timonium, Maryland.

EPIC applied for the grant to expand its existing Breezy Loop trail off Bucklodge Road in Boyds. The new as-yet-unnamed equestrian trail will add approximately 2.5 miles and 45 minutes of riding time to the existing 15 miles of trails, which includes Breezy Loop, Turtle Trail and Little Bucklodge Branch Creek Trail. The trails are located on private land owned by conservationist Mike Rubin and are preserved and protected for public equestrian use.

“We are very excited to be able to expand Breezy Loop,” said EPIC President David Tobin. “This grant allows us to continue EPIC’s mission of preserving land in Montgomery County for equestrian use.”

The new trail is located off Turtle Trail on the northeast side of Breezy Loop, east of Old Bucklodge Lane. It already has been mapped, and markers will be installed in early spring. EPIC will officially open the new trail with a public trail ride. The trailhead for the Breezy Loop trail system is located at the Potomac Pony Club Field at 19301 Bucklodge Road.

EPIC was one of 15 organizations to receive $21,441 in grants out of 52 applications. Projects were evaluated for value to the industry, degree of industry promotion, size and scope of the activity, financial need and quality of the written presentation.

Montgomery County Parks Announces Managed Deer Hunting Dates

© Stacey Nedrow-Wigmore

September 27, 2011—For public safety, the Montgomery County Department of Parks closes select park locations to public access for the duration of deer population management operations. The following is a schedule of park closure dates and specified locations for Managed Deer Hunting for Fiscal Year 2012.

Managed Deer Hunting Program (Shotgun)
Parks Closed from Sunrise to Sunset

October
28 – Hoyles Mill Conservation Park (Boyds)
28 – Woodstock Equestrian Park (Beallsville)

November
2 – North Germantown Greenway (Clarksburg)/Great Seneca Stream Valley Park (Gaithersburg)
4 – Hoyles Mill Conservation Park (Boyds)
4 – Woodstock Equestrian Park (Beallsville)
7 – Rachel Carson Conservation Park (Olney)
8 – Blockhouse Point Conservation Park (Darnestown)
12 – Hoyles Mill Conservation Park (Boyds)
16 – North Germantown Greenway (Clarksburg)/Great Seneca Stream Valley Park (Gaithersburg)
18 – Hoyles Mill Conservation Park (Boyds)
21 – Rachel Carson Conservation Park (Onley)
22 – Blockhouse Point Conservation Park (Darnestown)

December
2 – Bucklodge Forest Conservation Park (Boyds)
2 – Woodstock Equestrian Park (Beallsville)
3 – Hoyles Mill Conservation Park (Boyds)
7 – Little Bennett Regional Park (Clarksburg)
8 – Little Bennett Regional Park (Clarksburg)
9 – Little Bennett Regional Park (Clarksburg)
9 – Hoyles Mill Conservation Park (Boyds)
12 – Rachel Carson Conservation Park (Olney)
13 – Blockhouse Point Conservation Park (Darnestown)
14 – North Germantown Greenway (Clarksburg)/Great Seneca Stream Valley Park (Gaithersburg)
17 – Hoyles Mill Conservation Park (Boyds)

January
4 – Little Bennett Regional Park (Clarksburg)
5 – Little Bennett Regional Park (Clarksburg)
6 – Little Bennett Regional Park (Clarksburg)
6 – Hoyles Mill Conservation Park (Boyds)
13 – Bucklodge Forest Conservation Park (Boyds)
13 – Woodstock Equestrian Park (Beallsville)
14 – Hoyles Mill Conservation Park (Boyds)
21 – Hoyles Mill Conservation Park (Boyds)

EPIC Trail Courtesy Reminder

As the milder spring weather beckons us to hit the trails, we would like to ask your cooperation in permitting key portions of an EPIC trail to remain open for responsible use by all of us.

Due solely to the much-appreciated courtesy of Daphne Ross, the Dry Seneca Creek Trail runs along the border of, and probably is just within, the property of Daphne’s beautiful Tulip Pond Farm on Partnership Road in Poolesville. Unfortunately, some riders on the trail have, inadvertently we suspect, not observed basic courtesies in riding that portion of the trail. That has caused Daphne to be properly concerned about the safety of students and others at her farm.

Specifically, trail riders have been either (a) sufficiently loud as to bother horses and riders at Tulip Pond or (b) sufficiently quiet so as to startle horses there. We ask that riders alert others of their coming when riding along the ledge of the creek that borders Daphne’s property. We also ask that dogs not be included in any ride along that portion of the trail, as there have been instances of the dogs wandering into the farm. And, to state the obvious, we ask that no riders ride on Tulip Pond proper without advance invitation. We understand that there has already been one incident at Tulip Pond involving encroachment by non-resident riders where a young riding student fell, was concussed and had to undergo substantial medical treatment and miss considerable school time. So let’s appreciate that this is far more than a theoretical issue, and one we need to address promptly.

Thank you for your assistance in keeping our EPIC trails and the surrounding properties safe for all. Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@epicmontgomery.org if you have any questions or concerns.

Help Ensure Maryland Trail Funding

Funding for Maryland’s public riding trails may be in jeopardy. If you enjoy riding on Maryland’s trails, your action is needed by this Thursday to help ensure their future.

From The Equiery blog:

Many Maryland equestrian trail projects have benefited from federal funds through the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which is set to expire and must be reauthorized in the next national surface transportation program (highway) bill. Chances are good that the trails you ride on have received some of this funding via the Maryland Department of Transportation.

A “Dear Colleague” letter in support of RTP is being circulated by Congressmen Petri (R-WI) and Michaud (D-ME). (View Dear Colleague Letter)

The American Horse Council urges you to call or email your Representative and ask him or her to sign the Dear Colleague letter in support of RTP being circulated by Congressmen Petri and Michaud.

The deadline for your Member of Congress to sign the letter is Thursday, April 14.

Read the rest of the post HERE.

Potomac Pony Club Field Announcement

To riders who use the Potomac Pony Club field on Bucklodge Rd., in Boyds:

The Pony Club has just seeded many areas, including the polocrosse pitch and the show-jump ring. The board has asked us to request that our members avoid riding in those areas if it is too wet.

Thank you very much for your assistance!

Winter 2010/2011 EPIC Newsletter

Find out what’s going on in Montgomery County, Maryland’s Agriculture Reserve for equestrians. Click HERE to read the winter 2010/2011 EPIC newsletter.

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