Experience a part of the wonderful EPIC trail system while you meet new people who share your interest in trail riding. This approximately two-hour guided ride will take you through the beautiful Dry Seneca stream valley corridor in Poolesville, Maryland. The Dry Seneca Trail is a sanctioned public trail through private and county park lands, which is signed, maintained and monitored by EPIC.
Read MoreAs world citizens, we have a responsibility to reverse some of today’s trends to preserve the environment for our future generations. The Green Cup promotes the goal of conservation and protection by bringing together committed parties to show support of those prominent organizations that work to solve today’s environmental issues.
Read MoreJuly 28, 2011–There is an urgent issue that needs your attention having to do with federal recreational trail spending. The Recreational Trail Program (RTP)–the primary source of trail funding in this country–is in great jeopardy. Horsemen should contact their federal legislators immediately to help preserve funding for recreational trails. If we do not act, many trails will be closed and there will be little in the way of new trail construction or federal funds for maintenance (which will lead to more closures).
Read MoreJune 26, 2011—The agriculture appropriations bill just passed by the House of Representatives dramatically slashes funding for conservation, including major cuts in the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program and the Grasslands Reserve Program. These cuts are a double whammy in that cuts now affect the budget baseline available for conservation programs in the next farm bill.
Read MoreJune 26, 2011—The agriculture appropriations bill just passed by the House of Representatives dramatically slashes funding for conservation, including major cuts in the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program and the Grasslands Reserve Program. These cuts are a double whammy in that cuts now affect the budget baseline available for conservation programs in the next farm bill.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreThere are many objects for your horse to hurt himself on during a trail ride: rocks, barbed wire or sharp tree branches, to name just a few. It’s helpful to know what to do while waiting for your veterinarian to arrive if your horse cuts himself while away from home.
Read MoreAfter a year-long lapse that left many important conservation donations in limbo, Congress has renewed the enhanced tax incentive for conservation easements! As soon as President Obama signs H.R. 4853 (http://www.rules.house.gov/111/LegText/111_satohr4853_txt.pdf), the incentive will be in effect through December 31, 2011 and be retroactive to January 1, 2010.
Read MoreEPIC board member Naomi Manders will be presented with the Anne & Gilbert Pumphrey Memorial Award in recognition of and grateful appreciation for her dedication to the equestrian trails of Montgomery County & Maryland at the Maryland Horse Council’s 4th Annual BBQ Picnic, September 18, 2010, in Fair Hill, Maryland.
Read MoreEnjoy an exciting day of polo while supporting the scholarship fund of the Jose M Estrada School of Argentina. Join guests (ambassadors and/or players) from Argentina, Brasil, Afghanistan, USA, England, France, Greece and Malaysia to honor the Guest of Honor, His Excellancy Said T. Jawad, Ambassador of Afghanistan. Sponsored by the Embassy of Argentina
Read MoreOpen land is disappearing at a rate of 6,000 acres per day, according to the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource. There is no greater threat to the equestrian community than the loss of land. We need land for pasture and hay, for raising foals, and for our horse sports, including (but not limited to) trail riding, eventing, foxhunting, driving, and that most Maryland of all equestrian sports, steeplechase.
Read MoreANNAPOLIS, MD (March 2, 2010) The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) has commissioned the United States Department of Agriculture to conduct a census of the Maryland equine population starting in May 2010. The 2010 Equine Census will be the second count in Maryland of all breeds (horses, ponies, mules, burros and donkeys) regardless of ownership or use.
Read MoreMarch 16, 2010–The Maryland General Assembly is in the process of reviewing Governor O’Malley’s budget, including a proposed recommendation from the Dept. of Legislative Services (an arm of the General Assembly) that would delete funding for Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) and repeal the statue that created MET.
Read MoreThe U.S. Senate remained in session until December 24, and they did manage to pass a health-care bill, extend the nation’s debt limit (for two months or so), and pass the Defense Appropriations bill. But they didn’t extend the enhanced easement incentive or resolve (even temporarily) the estate tax issue.
Read MoreSince 1997, Maryland’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) has helped thousands of Maryland landowners plant streamside buffers, establish wetlands, protect highly erodible land, and create wildlife habitat while providing them with a steady, dependable land rental income.
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