Earth day 2024

Monday, April 22, 1 - 2 pm

Washington DC Stake Center, 10000 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, MD

Celebrate Earth Day by planting native redbuds, ferns and other plants to improve the small native plant garden along the back parking area of the DC Stake Center. If you can’t come on Earth Day you can stop by any other time and help clear weeds or help in other ways. Contact Merikay for info. We especially need a few people who live in or near Kensington to help take care of this area as Merikay is no longer in the DC Stake and thus not on site as frequently. Email merikays@verizon.net to RSVP for Earth Day or help another time.

Join LDS Earth Stewardship for a nature walk examining the biological processes of winter and what they teach us about weathering the spiritual winters of our lives. Discussion will be guided by Katherine May’s acclaimed 2020 book, Wintering. You are invited to read it in advance. Dress for the weather.

Questions? Email midatlantic@ldsearthstewardship.org.

fALL 2023 gARDEN cLEANUPS

pLEASANT vIEW AND dc sTAKE cENTER

Merikay Smith led the Quince Orchard High School soccer team in a clean up of the native plant garden we created at historic Pleasant View. The boys cleared weeds, edged and mulched while learning about the benefits of native plants for creating habitat in home gardens. Jeff and Merikay also transplanted new redbud trees to the woodland edge at the DC Stake Center and did weeding on two separate days — please contact Merikay if you can help at either garden. There’s always ongoing work to keep up our native plant gardens. No special knowledge required — learn by doing.

Bike and Hike in D.C. Rock Creek Park

Saturday, July 1 at 8 am
Where: Peirce Mill, 2401 Tilden St NW, Washington, DC 20008

With Becca Clement as our guide, a group of us biked 4 miles north on Beach Drive to Rock Creek Trail Juniper Trailhead. We parked our bikes and walked the Valley trail looking for fungi (including chanterelles and ghost pipes). The biking was invigorating in the peaceful, mostly traffic free roads of the park and having a knowledgeable guide for our woods walk allowed us to learn more about the fungi and plants we saw.

Spring gardening at Pleasant View

Saturday, April 29, 10 - 11:30 am; 11810 Darnestown Road, Gaithersburg, MD

If you haven’t helped at PV yet, please do come and see the native plant garden our group has created and see the reconstruction of the church and school currently being done. You can learn about the history of the site on our “Pleasant View” section of this website. Please bring basic garden tools for weeding if you have them. Merikay will bring some extra too. RSVP to merikays@verizon.net. Because there’s construction occurring at the site we need an RSVP as we’re going to limit participation to 10 cars-worth of folks.

Native Garden at the DC Stake Center

Monday, April 24, 5:30- 7 pm, Kensington, MD

We’ll be checking up on the native plant garden at the edge of the woods behind the DC Stake Center which we planted in 2018 (with permission, of course) in honor of James Baird who died while serving as President of the DC Stake. The native redbuds, ferns and other perennials have thrived to the point of some redbuds needing to be trimmed back some. We need to check on their progress, weed as needed, and add a few more trees, ferns and other native plants. This will be a small-scale event — come if you live close and it’s convenient for you, especially if you knew Pres. Baird and his family. RSVP to merikays@verizon.net in case we have to change plans.

Earth day on mt. vernon trail

Saturday, april 22, 9 am - 11 am

Celebrate Earth Day with other LDS earth stewards as we help remove invasive vines along the Mt. Vernon Trail near the 14th Street Bridge. Park at Columbia Island Marina George Washington Memorial Parkway Arlington. A map and details are available when you register. We're helping the Mt. Vernon Trail Association which will lead the event so there will be others from the community helping too. Please register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/earth-day-invasive-honeysuckle-removal-on-the-mount-vernon-trail-registration-545543404007.

Gratitude walk at Winkler Botanical Preserve !!! Rescheduled !!!

REscheduled to saturday, November 19, 2022 at 10 am

5400 Roanoke Ave, Alexandria, VA 22311

Come explore with us on November 19th at Northern Virginia’s newest park: Winkler Botanical Preserve. We will meet at 10 am and head out on a gratitude nature walk led by our very own entomologist, Becca Clements. we apologize for the change in dates but it could not be avoided or anticipated (COVID).

We’ll look for colored leaves, insects, mushrooms, and might even spot a beaver’s nest! This is a great event for the whole family so bring your kids. Pets are allowed on leashes.

Please RSVP to our Facebook event or email east@ldsearthstewardship.org. It helps our planning and we can contact you if we need to cancel or reschedule. And extend special invitations to friends living in Virginia so we can grow our LDSES membership on both sides of the Potomac!

Fall Volunteer day at Pleasant View

Saturday, october 15, 10 am to noon

We were joined by the coach and team members of Quince Orchard High School soccer team who helped transplant a substantial river birch tree (new septic line required the move). Rev. Gerry Green and PV Trustees shared the history of the site and provided a pizza lunch after the event. Six members of ESE also helped out.

See our Pleasant View posts for more info on our native plant garden at PV. Photos below from Sept. 2022.

Canoe trip at Parker’s Creek

Saturday, June 11, noon

Canoe the pristine Parker's Creek in Calvert County which is accessible only through arrangements with the American Chestnut Land Trust. Advance registration is required for this guided canoe trip. An overview of Parker's Creek. Cost is $15/person. Requires the ability to carry a canoe as well as paddling 3 hours some of which might be against tide. Our group is limited to 20 so it is filled on a first-come basis. However, we’ll do our best to plan other canoe events that will be more family friendly and closer to DC, hopefully later this summer.

If you came on the trip, please share photos — I didn’t bring my camera in the canoe. Gorgeous scenery, pleasantly cool misty rain and a memorable day.

For inspiration on doing family history (which is how I found Parker’s Creek): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gNwp7_JPs0

Past Events

Emotional Resilience In a Changing Climate: An Informal Discussion

Sunday, February 27, 2022

What emotions do you feel when you think about our changing climate? What is helping you build emotional resilience? Come and join in on the online discussion led by Jane Burner as we share our thoughts, our actions and our hopes with each other.

“FINDING FELLOWSHIP” — February 2022

Many volunteers from Earth Stewardship East have helped at historic Pleasant View to create a lovely native plant garden. There is a marvelous film about the history of Pleasant View that is being shown on hundreds of PBS stations this month. Click on https://findingfellowship.film/ to find times it will be shown in your area. #DoersDo, #findingfellowship

I just watched it and can't recommend it highly enough! Please take the time to see it -- it's soul expanding. Shown at 7 pm Sunday, Feb. 6 on WETA but many other times and channels also.

What a blessing it has been to know so many of the individuals featured in this film.

Birdwatching at Huntley Meadows

Saturday, October 30,2021 8 - 9:30am

3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22306

Come join us for a birdwatching and nature walk led by Daniel Winters through the beautiful Huntley Meadows Park. The park features a beautiful protected forest and wetland and is a popular spot for wildlife watching in the Washington metro area.

Feel free to bring anything that you want to enhance your experience, such as binoculars, a camera, or a sketchpad.

We will meet at the entrance off of Lockheed Blvd in the parking lot. Parking is free but a small donation is suggested for visiting so bring some cash if you wish to pay and support the park.

PLEASE RSVP to the Facebook event or by emailing us at east@ldsearthstewardship.org so that we can have an accurate headcount. If the group reaches a certain size we will need to obtain a group pass ahead of time.

Memorial Day at Pleasant View

Shaare Torah, Kentlands Ward, and PV Trustees

9:30 - 11 am

11810 Darnestown Road, Gaithersburg, MD

Members of the Shaare Torah and Kentlands Ward Green Teams are joined with Pleasant View Trustees to do a major cleanup of the native plant garden. We started with heartfelt invocations by Rev. Gerry Green and Beri Kravitz. As we sat on the steps of the church, we heard the history of Pleasant View from Rev. Green, a direct descendant of one of the men who purchased the land after the Civil War. Then we spread out to work in the garden — pulling weeds, edging the beds and putting down mulch.

Mt. Vernon Trail Family Hike and Weed Warrior Event

Mt. Vernon Trail, Alexandria, VA

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mt. Vernon Chapel

2000 George Washington Memorial Pkwy, Fort Hunt, VA 22308

Saturday, June 12; 10 -11:30 am

Judd Isbell, leader of the Friends of Mt. Vernon Trail showed us how to safely remove invasive vines which are killing the mature trees along this trail . Special thanks to Kellee Koenig for organizing this for us.

Bishop Stephen Richardson of the Mount Vernon ward has approved the use of the Mount Vernon chapel's parking lot as our gathering spot, and let us access the building for bathrooms and drinking fountains. He and his wife also came and helped with the event, as well as Kellee Koenig’s bishop — all much appreciated. The Mt. Vernon Trail is a short walk from the chapel — it’s a 17-mile mixed use trail along the Potomac. A few of us stopped by River Farm (formerly part of Washington’s Mt. Vernon properties) to see the gardens of the National Horticultural Society — just 3 miles north of the Mt. Vernon chapel.

Pleasant View Spring Cleanup

Tuesday, May 11, 10 - 11 am

11810 Darnestown Road, Gaithersburg, MD

Join with a small group of ESE volunteers to clear perennial stems from last year and weed the beds. See what plants are thriving and which are challenged by deer or other conditions. See how this garden is changing over time. Bring your own tools and gloves.

James Baird Memorial Garden - Family Home Evening

Monday, May 17, 7 - 8 pm

Washington DC Stake Center, Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, MD

Three years ago in May we created a native plant garden to honor James Baird who passed away suddenly from an accident, leaving a huge hole in our community. We responded by planting redbuds and other native plants in an area of the woods where he loved to go — Come see how our plants have grown — we’ll weed if it’s needed (bring gloves/tools). If you knew James Baird, come with a story to share or a quote from him.

Celebrate Our 5th Anniversary

saturday, may 22, 6 - 8 pm

Merikay and Jeff’s Garden, Darnestown, MD

The party won’t be the same without you! The 20 of us who gathered in 2016 to launch Earth Stewardship East had no idea of what was to come, but knew we wanted to work together to make our world a better place, and have some fun together in the process. Scan down our list of past events and you’ll see that it’s been a remarkable 5 years. What will we do next? That’s what we’ll talk about as we share a meal together. Bring a potluck dish to share — ideally something created in a way the minimizes waste and plastic use. I’d love for this potluck to be “Zero Waste”.

Come explore Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington, DC! We will be meeting in the parking lot by the bridge that leads to the island to do a socially-distanced hike around the Swamp Trail (~2 miles). Please wear a mask and bring the whole family (dogs too)!

If coming by car, we recommend arriving a little early, if possible, to ensure parking. The parking lot is small and fills up quickly on weekends. There is additional parking at the Rosslyn Metro Station if needed (Lot 863 @ 1700 N Moore St, Arlington), which is a 10-15 min walk away. Or just take the Metro if you don’t want to worry about parking.

We've planned this especially for our VA and DC members to attend.

It's important you RSVP so we can contact you if plans change and so we'll know who to watch for that morning. RSVP to Ellen White at ellenawhite94@gmail.com.

Additional directions and info about the island can be found at
https://www.nps.gov/this/planyourvisit/directions.htm

*Note: the parking lot can only be accessed from the northbound lane of GW Parkway

“Sustainable Eating”

Sunday, January 10, 7:30 pm EST

Discussion led by Ellen White

If you missed this great discussion you can view it at: https://youtu.be/im_j4OdKs1w

Recipes, links and more found on our blog.

2020 Fall Forum with Sharon Eubank

Available online anytime

https://youtu.be/r4WigXyMp5E

Sharon Eubank, the first counselor in the general presidency of the Relief Society, returns to follow up on her appearance from the LDSES 2019 Fall Forum. Sister Eubank is joined by some new friends who will inspire and entertain you with personal stories and ideas on how you can contribute to the care of our beautiful earth.

Natalie Gochnour hosts this five person "fireside" and helps navigate not only the comments from the panel, but also includes many messages sent to us by LDS Earth Stewardship members. Kira Smiley participates from Europe via Zoom, adding stories about what she is doing to take action across the globe as well as in her own ward. Shannon Ellsworth shares her perspectives and how she was prepared for earth stewardship on her family farm. Feeling the divine spirit of God through animals and plants, she feels there is much joy we can plan for into the future. Chip Oscarson teaches his BYU students how to relate to nature and connects the dots between what we feel and what we know, through gospel principles.

PLEASE WATCH AND SHARE!

Creation Conscious Christmas

Sunday, December 13, 2020 AT 7 pm

Imperfect efforts

sunday, november 15, 7 pm (Zoom)

Let's get together to inspire each other in our stewardship, imperfect as it is. We can't hold usual in-person events but we're each still doing earth stewardship. The plan is to give each person a chance to share at least one way she or he is doing stewardship -- and go around the "room" until we're exhausted or recharged! Or until the hour's up. I heard in an EPA meeting today (paraphrasing) on waste management that we don't need a few zero-waste folks but millions of people making imperfect efforts. That’s us! Email merikays@verizon.net to get a copy of the event PPT and ideas shared.

“In the Company of Stewards”

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 9 pm EST (7 pm Utah)

LDSES hosts bi-monthly online discussion of earth stewardship topics. Merikay Smith, leader of the MD/DC/VA group Earth Stewardship East, will speak on Oct. 27 about “Less Lawn: More Life”. Details at ldsearthstewardship.org.

Tour at Camp Bar-T

Friday, July 10, 7 - 8:30 pm

2914 Roderick Rd, Frederick, MD 21704

Juneteenth at Pleasant View

Friday, June 18 from 7 - 8:30 pm; Saturday, June 19, 9 am - 10 am

11810 Darnestown Road, Gaithersburg, MD

Pleasant View is a link to our area's African American past -- a heritage worth preserving and sharing. Because of COVID we had two small groups (less than 20 total) work at PV and spread out across the garden so only family members worked together. Special thanks to the Opfar family who brought 7 volunteers.

Free Native Trees

14909 Spring Meadows Drive, Darnestown, MD

Distribution times:  March 18, Thursday, 1 - 4:30 pm

I will distribute 440 native tree seedlings from MD DNR.  If there's a line leave 6 feet between each person and step forward one at a time to get the trees. Please bring something in which to carry away your trees. 

Hike from Angler’s Inn, C&O Canal

Monday, March 9, 1:30 - 3 pm

Terrel Hale led a four mile hike along the Potomac River starting from the main Anglers’ Inn trailhead sign. Hiking in early spring is particularly invigorating and beautiful with trees beginning to bud, spring wildflowers and ferns opening, and vistas not enjoyed in summer.

It’s also the perfect time to ponder Joseph Smith’s first vision which happened 200 years ago in a similar woodland setting.

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/…/the-first-vision-a-jose…

LDSES Fall Forum with Sharon Eubank

Thursday, October 10

Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the General Presidency of the Relief Society and Director of Latter-Day Saints Charities was guest speaker at our annual fall forum. She has experience with the impacts of environmental degradation on communities worldwide. Our forum was held at the White Memorial Chapel, Salt Lake City, Utah and completely filled the church with earth stewards — an inspiring experience for all present.

Her talk is posted under “Inspiration” on this website.

fall planting at dc stake center

We’ll continue our efforts to remember Washington DC Stake President James Baird by working on our native plant area of the DC Stake Center. Date TBD.

Day to Serve 2019

Saturday, September 21, 10 AM to noon

pleasant view native plant garden, 11810 Darnestown Road

Thank you to the Seneca Stake YSA volunteers who were a terrific help removing weeds and making the garden look great. We were joined by Betsey Hebron who shared first-hand knowledge of the history of Pleasant View. Thanks also to Jeff and Justin Smith without whom Merikay couldn’t do these events. Pete Darmody of the Muddy Branch Alliance Board also stopped by to help.

Kayaking and Trash Pickup

Saturday, August 3, 10 am to noon

Riley’s Lock, Seneca Creek and Potomac

Lots of wet fun as about 30 of us paddled along picking up trash. We had folks of all ages including quite a few from Virginia. Matt Markoff and Calleva provided the kayaks, canoes and life jackets. Among the trash items — a large white swan flotation device. Lots of plastic bottles, aluminum cans, etc. and all items were separated into trash and recycle bags to be picked up by the County Parks. Some of us stayed for an informal picnic. THANK YOU!

https://www.canaltrust.org/discoveryarea/rileys-lock-seneca/

Interfaith Bus Tour

Sunday, June 2, 3 pm to 5 pm

Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake bus tour to share examples of conservation landscaping at several places of worship including our Pleasant View native plant garden. Tour is free and starts at Epworth United Methodist Church on 355 at 3 pm with the tour at PV following at about 4 pm. (Merikay met the group and briefly answered questions about our landscape project.)

Interfaith Walk

thursday, June 13, 2019, 6:30 pm

Seneca State Park

Interfaith Partners of the Chesapeake is hosting an interfaith walk and we’re invited. Jeff and I attended this walk last year along the Muddy Branch Trail and enjoyed meeting people of other faiths while hearing scriptures from various faiths. I was fortunate enough to spot an albino robin — quite a visual treat. If you can’t join this walk, please be sure to get outside with friends or family along one of our local trails to enjoy the wonder of spring.

Native Plant Event

Saturday, May 11, 2019, 9 am to 11 am

Washington DC Stake Center, 10000 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, MD

We completed the native redbud tree planting project which we started last spring in honor of our former Stake President and beloved friend, James Baird. We weeded, mulched, pulled invasive plants nearby, and installed native plants like ferns, wood poppies, buttonbush, serviceberries, etc. to help fill the space under our young trees. As these plants fill in it should help keep out the invasive plants. Anyone who attends church at the Stake Center is encouraged to help watch over our new little garden by weeding and watering throughout the season.

If you have native plants in your home garden you are willing to donate, please contact Merikay. We will continue to improve this site over time and hope more people become aware of the trail which James Baird helped create.

Photos from May 2019 at the James Baird planting event are a slideshow: click to see more. First photo is of the James Baird family.

Sunday, April 28, 11:15 AM

National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 

Join others of faith for an outdoor service to honor the Creator and Creation. I’ll be there with a red blanket to sit on. Let me know you’re coming and we can sit together. This will be a one hour worship service. merikays@verizon.net
https://cathedral.org/event/interfaith-celebration-of-creation/

Seed Swap

March 16, Saturday, 1:30 pm

Meldau-Cummings Residence, Silver Spring, md

We will swap seeds, share plans, and even get some seeds started that afternoon. If you have never tried growing from seeds before, this is a great time to give it a try. 4-inch planting containers and potting soil will be on-hand. So come celebrate the spring equinox by getting your hands in the dirt and enjoying some garden-nerd together time. Bring your seeds to share. Kids are welcome.

Free Native Trees

April 4 & 5

Each year Merikay leads a project to distribute native tree seedlings in the community. We have 350 native trees to give away -- up to 10 trees per household with a preference for residents living in the Muddy Branch or Seneca Creek watersheds.  If you want to be informed when the trees are available, email merikays@verizon.net.

Since trees are bare root, they must be planted as soon as possible after being picked up. We generally receive 50 each of seven different tree species.  These are the trees requested for this spring: 50 buttonbush, 50 baldcypress, 50 river birch, 50 loblolly pine, 50 gray dogwood, 50 serviceberry, 50 white oak.

Lands Green Waters Clean

february 27, 7 pm

Lakelands clubhouse, 960 Main Street, gaithersburg, md

Learn simple ways you can help reduce flooding and improve local water quality. Merikay Smith, long-time Master Gardener and Project Leader for the Pleasant View conservation landscape project, has created a presentation on practical ways you can make a difference. We’ll also get to hear from a local Girl Scout troop about their cleanup of a park along the Muddy Branch.

This presentation is free and open to the public — but we especially welcome current or prospective members of Earth Stewardship East to attend. This is the last of three free talks provided as educational outreach for our Pleasant View project funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust through the Montgomery County Water Protection Fund. Event co-sponsored by the Muddy Branch Alliance.

Photos above from Merikay’s garden. Growing a variety of host plants brings butterflies and birds to gardens. What do you “grow” in your garden with your plants?

Butterfly and Bay Friendly Gardening Workshop

Saturday, november 3, 2 - 5 pm

16 Kent Gardens Circle, Gaithersburg (Kentlands Ward)

Muddy Branch Alliance is hosting a free workshop on gardening with native plants to create habitat and improve water quality. This is going to be a fun, practical workshop with a presentation by Lauren Hubbard, PhD biologist with garden design experience followed by one-on-one Q/A time where we will have knowledgeable people available to work with you on your specific gardening questions and design issues. The event is free but requires advanced registration so we can have a satellite view of your property to use in the personalized design Q/A time. We’ll also have info available on county and city rebate programs to help offset the costs of conservation landscaping. Sign up ASAP as slots are limited.
Sign up online here: https://goo.gl/forms/7rLmAR52Ow7KwMDo2

This workshop is one initiative of the Lands Green Waters Clean program (supervised by Board member Merikay).

LDS Earth Stewardship Fall Forum

Thursday, october 25, 7 pm (9 pm our time)

Butterfly and Bay-Friendly Gardens Tour

Saturday, October 6, 9 am to noon

Our Pleasant View garden is being featured in a free tour of multiple Gaithersburg gardens sponsored by the Muddy Branch Alliance. Come visit any or all gardens at your own pace. Maps and info on conservation landscaping will be available at Constitution Gardens or online at www.muddybranchalliance.org. Gardens include the Constitution Garden Park, Woodland Hills HOA garden, Epworth Methodist Church, Pleasant View, and a private home. All gardens are relatively new landscaping and the tour should give you a chance to see ideas for plants that might work in your garden. Children welcome (Constitution Garden has lots of great play areas).

Day to Serve 2018

Saturday, September 22, 2018  10 am to noon

Pleasant view, 11810 darnestown road, gaithersburg, md

PawPaw Hike

Saturday September 15, 9 AM

Riverbend Park, VA (right past Great Falls)

8700 Potomac Hills St, Great Falls, VA 22066

Planting at Pleasant View

Saturdays, July 21 and July 28, 9 am

We weeded the garden at Pleasant View on July 21, Saturday morning at 9 am.  We'll repeat this coming Saturday, July 28.  Pope Farm is donating 100 additional native plants to us which we will be installing.  Thanks to our rain and relatively cool weather the plants should be able to survive being planted now.  Special thanks to Dara Ballow-Giffen for getting the plants for us. Join us Saturday morning if you can -- this will be a small group event especially for students needing SSL hours and their parents but anyone is welcome.

150th Celebration at Pleasant View

Saturday, June 23, 2018  noon to 4 pm, rain or shine

Celebrate 150 years at Pleasant View with gospel music by the Royal Harmonizers and the Seneca Gospel Choir, talks on local history, BBQ, and more.  Visit with Pearl Green who just turned 100 and hear from her and others about attending school during segregation.  We'll have a table set up under a tent near the garden to share info on native plants and conservation landscaping.  Families welcome.

Our gardens look great.  Would look even better if the deer ate less!  If you come on Saturday, plan to spend a few minutes pulling weeds and wandering in the garden.  Hope you can come as this is going to be a memorable experience, not to be missed.

constitution garden park - exploring ways to use native plants

saturday, may 19, 10 - 11 am; LIGHT RAIN OR SHINE 

Join us to explore a new park in Old Town Gaithersburg which features native plants as well as play features for children using natural materials.  There are also several water features including a stone mill from a Seneca Creek mill and various storm water management design elements which creatively enhance the site while performing an important environmental function.  Merikay Smith and Lauren Hubbard will share information about a new program, Lands Green Waters Clean.  Get free native plant seeds and ask questions about ways to use native plants in your home garden.  Children are especially welcome at this event.  Co-sponsored by the Muddy Branch Alliance. (This event is being held instead of the planned volunteer/education date on May 19 at Pleasant View due to a septic installation on that site this week.)

dnr.maryland.gov/pgc/Pages/NPS/ConstitutionGardens.aspx

Tree Planting in honor of james baird

Monday, May 14, 2018:  DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER PLANS CHANGED to start at 5 pm 

About 30 of us met at the Washington DC Stake Center, 10000 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington, MD to plant a dozen redbud trees in remembrance of James Baird, our former DC Stake President who passed away unexpectedly this past February.  We had to work fast to get the area cleared of invasive plants and our trees in the ground and mulched before an extreme storm hit.  The rain started as we drove from the parking lot.  Thank you to all who came - and to those who wanted to be there but couldn't because of the last minute time change. 

James had a great love of the outdoors and of trees in particular.  He also kept a collection of soil in carefully labeled bottles to remind him of significant places he had been in his life.  It seems very appropriate to plant beautiful spring-blooming trees at the Stake Center where he spent much time.  In fact, we learned the area where we planted is a trail which James helped create and used for the young men to have a woodland spot to gather around a fire pit and share ideas.  Though he was our Stake President a relatively short period he had a tremendous impact on literally thousands in our community and he is missed.

The following excerpt from one of James' talks at a ward conference while he was bishop of the Rockville Ward gives insight into his love of Creation:

"I love this earth. I like to work in the dirt. I love to watch the sunset on warm beaches. I love the taste of a fresh toasted tomato sandwich with mayo, sea salt, and fresh-ground pepper. I love to stand in cold streams and try to outsmart the fish who have a brain the size of a pea. I love all of the physical sensations that my physical body experiences, like the way my stomach feels when you go over a rise too fast in a car. I love so much of what comes into my ears, my mouth, my nose, on my skin. I have spent much of my life pursuing these pleasures, and trying to provide them for others. I justify all this by reading in Genesis that God created all this for the use and benefit of man, to gladden his eye and lighten his heart. Certainly He wants us to appreciate His beautiful creations. While not a complete epicurean, I am well aware of how much I love all that God has placed for me on this earth, and have trouble imagining that it is any better up there. Maybe there are a few of you who feel this way too. Then why should we work to get off this planet that God placed us on and created for our use and happiness? How can we enjoy all this beauty and still try to follow our bishop’s council to try to rise above it all?"

  Indeed, that is our challenge:  to enjoy our time on earth while making life choices that prepare us for our journey back to God.

Pleasant View - Earth Day Celebration 2018

Saturday, April 21, 2018  10 am to noon volunteer work day

Put this on your calendar now.  We will celebrate Earth Day by seeing what has survived in our native plant garden over the winter.  We'll plant a few new trees, shrubs, and perennials.  We'll also begin labeling plants, weed as needed, and add new mulch.  Bring food to share for a potluck picnic.  Children will be welcome to come with parents -- students can earn SSL hours.  RSVP to merikays@verizon.net.  (I can definitely use some team leaders for this event -- please let me know if you are willing to help.)

Check out the photos from the beginning of our project including these by Caitlin Moulton from April 22, Earth Day of last year:  https://caitlinmariephotography.pixieset.com/earthdayevent/  Last year we had 100 volunteers on Earth Day.  Invite your friends and neighbors -- this time we are not starting with bare ground and hopefully it will not be raining!  We will have an educational team led by a Master Gardener who will walk the garden and answer questions about the plants for those who want to learn more with a special emphasis on helping people learn about native plants which might thrive in their own home gardens. 

We will have an additional volunteer date on May 19 (9 am to 11 am) and in June to prepare the garden for the 150th celebration at Pleasant View.

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 7 PM

LANDS GREEN WATERS CLEAN - IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE, 707 CONSERVATION LANE, GAITHERSBURG

Join us to learn about a new program to help get more conservation landscaping in our watershed.  The Lands Green Waters Clean program is being transferred to the Muddy Branch Alliance and nearby watersheds to extend its reach to more county residents.  Merikay Smith has been asked to help lead this new initiative.  She's inviting local members of Earth Stewardship East to join this March 8 meeting and will gather with ESE members following the 7 pm meeting to talk about our plans for 2018.  If you can't be there, please email merikays@verizon.net with your ideas for what you want to do in 2018 with Earth Stewardship East.  Another kayak/cleanup event on the Potomac?  Continue our work at Pleasant View?  Host an event in your home/nearby?  Hiking/camping together?  Share earth stewardship principles with our wards/Stakes? (and how?)  

Let's see what we can accomplish together in 2018.  If each of us helps just a little it will be amazing what we can accomplish.

Pleasant View Work Days 2017

Saturday, Nov. 18, 10 am     spreading mulch

Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 am    Tree Planting

Monday, Oct. 23, 10 - noon

Saturday, Oct. 21, 10 - 11 am

Thursday, Oct. 19 4 - 6 pm

Help us weed, plant for fall, and replenish the mulch.  Bring your own shovel.  Come alone or bring family/friends.  RSVP to merikays@verizon.net.  We especially need all volunteers who can possibly come to join us on Saturday, Nov. 18.

Photos from August 24.

Pleasant View 9/11 Day to Serve

SEPTEMBER 11, 10 AM TO NOON; 7 PM TO 8 PM

HELP WITH OUR NATIVE PLANT GARDEN IN THE MORNING OR EVENING OF 9/11.  THIS IS A GREAT COMMUNITY BUILDING EVENT: HARD WORK THAT'S SATISFYING.

Poplar Island Tour, Chesapeake Bay

July 21, Friday, 9 am to noon

Departing from Tilghman Island - optional camping at tuckahoe state park, july 20

(See our blog post for a report and photos from this excursion.)

As shown in the satellite photo, by 1996 Poplar Island had nearly disappeared.  Restoration efforts are underway to save the island -- recreating its 1,000 acres of habitat.  Join us on a free tour of this island.  We'll be reserving spots at a state campsite for those interested in camping.  This should be an educational and fun outing.  There's a small museum on Tilghman Island featuring creatures from the Bay -- one of many optional excursions.  

We have a reservation for a group tent site at Tuckahoe State Park for Thursday, July 20 if you want to arrive early and enjoy more of this area.  Adkins Arboretum is located within Tuckahoe State Park.  There are hiking trails (walking actually - no elevation changes) and areas to canoe/kayak.  

A few fun ideas if you have time to spend on the Eastern Shore.  If you're interested on sailing on the Bay, one option is the sailing yacht Lady Patty which sails from Tilghman Island. Other charter fishing and sail boats are available at various sites on the Eastern shore.

On your drive to the Eastern Shore you might stop before crossing the Bay Bridge to visit the Sandy Point State Park. There's a wide beach here with playground equipment, boats to rent, and a great view of the Bay Bridge. It's fun to wade in the water (watch for stinging jellyfish) and watch the sailboats, barges and ocean vessels passing under the bridge. Or better yet rent a boat and get out on the Bay. With nearly 800 acres to explore there are also walking trails -- a great place to see birds.

Just off route 404, (31 miles from Sandy Point) you could stop at the Adkins Arboretum and wander their trails. Enjoy the native plant landscaping and be inspired. They have a small native plant nursery on site if you want to buy plants for your home garden. There's a visitor's center and minimal fee to enter. The Arboretum is part of Tuckahoe State Park, the camp site suggested as a place to stay on Thursday night, for those who are interested.

Near where we'll be taking the boat to Poplar Island is the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center, a small but very interesting collection of Bay creatures including an area where oysters are grown to repopulate the Bay with these water cleaning marvels. If you're interested in the history of Tilghman you could visit the Tilghman Watermen's Museum.  http://tilghmanisland.com

If you have time there's also the Pickering Creek Audubon Society (http://pickeringcreek.audubon.org) where there are trails, canoes/kayaks to rent on weekdays, a small garden and birding areas.

St. Michael's Maritime Museum (and the town itself) is worth a visit. CBMM’s campus includes a floating fleet of historic boats, 12 exhibition buildings, and changing special exhibitions, all set in a park-like waterfront setting along the Miles River and St. Michaels’ harbor. Learn more at http://cbmm.org/

"Native Plants for Your Garden"

May 23, Tuesday, 7 pm

11800 Darnestown Road - Pleasant View Schoolhouse

Come learn about great native plants for the home garden.  Merikay Smith, Master Gardener and Project Leader for the conservation landscaping at Pleasant View, will share photos and tips on including native plants in home gardens.  Please invite neighbors and friends.  This talk is part of the educational component of the Chesapeake Bay Trust grant that Earth Stewardship East received for Pleasant View.  While you're at PV, stop by and see how the garden is beginning to grow one month in the ground.  RSVP on ESE's FB event post or to EarthStewardshipEast@gmail.com.

Pleasant View Project 

April 29, Saturday, 9 AM  - 1 PM

11800 Darnestown Road, Gaithersburg, MD

Join us for our final spring volunteer work day at Pleasant View.  We'll finish installing two huge beds of native plants -- each 30 feet by 70 feet.  Over time our plantings will provide habitat and better storm water management too.  

We'll also have time for volunteers to visit inside the historic colored school and talk with former students.  Learn about how you can improve storm water management on your own property -- and tips on creating habitat with native plants. 

If you work with Scouts or other youth groups, consider including them in this project.  We have several possible Eagle Scout projects that could be done on this property.  

Please email Merikay at merikays@verizon.net or signup on our Facebook page.  We need to know who can help.  Thanks!

Earth Stewardship East 2017 Launch

January 29, Sunday, 7 pm

10923 Breewood Rd, Silver Spring, MD

Please join us to discuss a talk by Elder Marcus Nash, LDS General Authority, on "Righteous Dominion and Compassion for the Earth."  The talk can be found at: https://www.lds.org/topics/environmental-stewardship-and-conservation?lang=eng

We'll also talk about our Chesapeake Bay Trust grant to landscape the Pleasant View Historic Site and other upcoming plans.  
Most of our activities will be family friendly but this particular event is for adults only. Thanks to Chandler and Amy Griggs for hosting.

Interfaith Environmental Conference

February 12, Sunday, 3 PM

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 11701 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg

Earth Stewardship East is co-hosting "Interfaith Light," the fifth annual interfaith environmental conference for our local area.  Merikay Smith will be the keynote speaker joined by representatives of the Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu faiths to share inspiration on care for the earth and care for the poor.  We will look at Pope Francis' encyclical and what impacts this statement has had on local, regional and worldwide actions.  We plan to have information on current issues being addressed in Annapolis by the current session of our state legislature.  In the past this has been a great event for inspiration, learning and networking -- all to make a positive impact locally.  Please invite your friends and neighbors, particularly if they are a "green team" leader in their faith.

Climate Prayer Vigil

January 22, Sunday, 1 pm

Brookside Gardens, Japanese Tea Room

Join us for an interfaith vigil for prayer and meditation on care for Creation this Sunday, January 22, at 1 p.m. at the Brookside Garden Japanese tea room. People of all political backgrounds care about the earth -- let's join together in prayer.

We will be less than one hour. You're welcome to wander the gardens and nearby woodland trails after. Please invite your friends. Children are welcome too since we're outside and will not be long. 

If you cannot be with us, consider setting aside time to pray and reflect on caring for the air, water, lands, and creatures of our earth.

Boat Tour of Anacostia River

October 29, 2016 at 10 am  

Click above (Merikay's photos) and below (Ken Mortensen's photos) to see full slideshowS.  

We will have two tours, one at 10 am and the other at 11 am, both leaving from the National Arboretum dock. Fall colors will be at their peak!  Please share with friends who might like to join Earth Stewardship East.  The more the better.  

Bring your own picnic and join us at the tables near the Anacostia dock area at noon.

This Free event will be led by people who care about the Anacostia -- they'll share its history, wildlife, and environmental concerns.   The boat carries 13 passengers.  The Riverkeepers are willing to take one group at 10 am and a second group if we have that many interested.  We have arranged for this tour to depart from the docks at the National Arboretum which is a wonderful place to visit.  They ask that everyone on the river be ages 5 and up.

www.anacostiariverkeeper.org/anacostia-river-explorers

JUNE 25, 2016
 

POTOMAC RIVER / SENECA CREEK KAYAKING AND TRASH PICKUP

We'll meet at Riley's Lock for a free event -- all welcome.  Pick up trash stream-side or from a kayak.   Kayaks and life-jackets provided.    Afterwards BYOP (bring your own picnic).  There's a covered area with tables.

We can offer SSI (student service hours) to MCPS students. 

May 21, 2016

First meeting of Earth Stewardship East

Potluck and Program

Twenty-five adults and four children attended the kick-off event for Earth Stewardship East at Merikay Smith's garden.  We ate Chicago pizza and lots of delicious vegetable dishes.  Despite rain we had a great time together -- kids left with tadpoles from the pond and it cleared enough for many to enjoy the garden.  Kate Cummings shared our goals and elicited comments.

Merikay  spoke on Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si, "Care for the Earth: Care for the Poor."  Our first meeting topic of Pope Francis' encyclical parallels the spring social for the LDS Earth Stewardship group  held in Salt Lake City.  

Check our website's "Inspiration" section for posts on the Pope's encyclical.