ERROR IN APRIL, MAY, JUNE MAILED NEWSLETTERS

The Manchester Parks Foundation Board is holding its monthly meetings in April, May, June and July at Charlotte's Quest Nature Center NOT at the Greenmount Public Library as stated in the April, May, June 2008 edition of our Nature Calls mailed newsletters. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused. The corrected edition of the newsletter is online by visiting our newsletter.

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FUND-RAISING OPPORTUNITY:

With no cost to you!

Our group is participating in a recycling fundraiser by collecting used cell phones and empty ink cartridges to be good stewards of our environment and to raise money to further the studies at Charlotte's Quest Nature Center teaching about conservation and preservation of our natural resources, protection of our area water sources, and how we can restore the native plants and animals that are vital to our environment.
Unlike other fundraising projects, there is nothing to buy. This recycling program is an easy way for us to raise money and to help the environment at the same time by reducing the amount of non-biodegradable waste in our landfills.

Can we count on your help? It's easy! Please collect used cell phone and empty inkjet cartridges, laser toner, copier toner, fax toner and multi-functional printer cartridges from your home, work, co-workers and neighbors.

Collection boxes are located in the NATURE CENTER'S INTERPRETIVE BUILDING. PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE, EMAIL cqnc@qis.net OR CALL 410-374-3395 for our scheduled open days and times. You may also drop these off at the MANCHESTER TOWN OFFICE, 3208 York Street, Manchester, MD or contact us for more information.

Please erase all data on your cell phone. No need to worry--as an extra security measure, the recycling company will double check to make sure all of your data is deleted before reuse.

There is no cost to our group to participate in this recycling program, so 100% of the proceeds will benefit Charlotte's Quest.

Our goal is to ship out our first collection of cell phones and cartridges on June 1, 2008, so could you please help us out by giving us your used cell phones, accessories and used ink cartridges? All will be recycled. Even if they are no longer useable, they will be dismantled and recycled.

With your help, this is going to be a great way for us to raise money and to help the environment at the same time.

This is an ongoing fundraiser; so when you have more cartridges and cell phones ready, please drop them off in the available collection boxes!

Thank you for being a good steward of your environment and for your support!

Did you know?

• • For every ink or laser cartridge collected and recycled, two quarts of oil are kept out of the landfills;
• • The number of ink and laser toner cartridges thrown away in one year is enough to circle the earth;
• • It takes 1,000 years for an ink or laser cartridge to decompose in a landfill;
• • Recycling ink or laser toner cartridges helps to decrease the amount of waste that goes into landfills and helps reduce the amount of toxic chemicals absorbed into the Earth;
• • Printer cartridges create over 1.9 billion pounds of non-biodegradable waste;
• • Over 100 million cell phones will be thrown out this year alone; and
• • One cell phone can pollute up to 34.9 gallons of water

WHERE CAN YOU DROP OFF THE INK CARTRIDGES?

The ink cartridges may be dropped off during the week at the Manchester Town Office located at 3208 York Street in Manchester, during the first Sunday of the month or during program hours at the nature center. Do your part for the environment and help support environmental education at the same time.

Thank you in advance for helping to save the environment and for supporting Charlotte's Quest Nature Center's teaching.

All cartridges and cell phones can be recycled, although not all will have a monetary benefit for Charlotte's Quest, we will be helping to save our environment and that is what Charlotte's Quest Nature Center is all about.

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EASTER ADVENTURE EGG HUNT RESULTS

We want to thank everyone who joined us Saturday, March 15th for our Annual Easter Adventure Egg Hunt. It was a huge success with approximately 300 children in attendance. We never imagined having this many. Each year our number of participants continues to grow dramatically. We appreciate everyone's patience while we keep making adjusts and improvements so that your visit with us is a special occasion for the whole family.

Please see our Photo Gallery for pictures of these children with their prizes.

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NEW INTERPRETIVE BUILDING OPEN HOURS

Beginning in April

Time: 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM

First Sunday of each month (except holidays) and during special events or programs.
Weekdays are by appointment.

NOTE: Your nature center grounds are always available 365 days a year from dawn until dusk; just park at the gate and walk in. The hours ONLY effects the open hours of our gate and the Interpretive Building.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SUMMER CAMPFIRE AND NIGHT HIKE

Note Date Change From Newsletter

Date: Friday, June 6, 2008
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Ages: All

Join us as we anticipate the last day of school, and prepare to welcome the summer! We will enjoy S'mores around a campfire and then explore our environment as the night falls.

Registration: 410-258-6357 410-374-3395 or register online at Event Registration
Fee: Individuals-$8.00/non-members $6.00/members
        Family-$35.00/non-members $25.00/members

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF SPRING EVENTS PLEASE SEE OUR Calendar.

REMEMBER-When registering for events:

Please be sure and register at least two (2) days before the event so that our Naturalist has time to get any extra materials that may be needed to assure that everyone interested in participating has the opportunity and the materials to be included in the fun.

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LINKS

The page links are the traditional link colors but the menu links are colored differently due to the blue background. Unvisited links are white bold text, visited links are light blue and not bold and when you hover over a link it has a brighter blue background with the white bold text.

If ever a line is not working as it should, please contact me as soon as possible, so I can find out why and repair the link if necessary. I appreciate your cooperation in making sure that this site works as it is intended. It is my goal to make our site user-friendly, information-packed, and convenient for you. If you have any ideas of how I can improve our site please do not hesitate to let me know. If you notice any errors or broken links please inform me.

Email Webmaster

Sharon Hughes, Webmaster

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NATURE CENTER NEEDS

Charlotte's Quest is always in need of your help. What help can you be? You can aid us in lots of ways, whatever best suits you. You can donate your money, time, and gifts, even services. Serve on the Board of Directors or become a member of the Manchester Parks Foundation.

WISH LIST:

• Bins with lids-small shoebox size
• Water cooler: Deer Park or Polar with cups
• Animal Taxidermy: fox, skunk, birds, beaver, squirrel, groundhog, rabbit, raccoon
• Markers and glue sticks for crafts
• Kitchen-size trash can with lid
• Large and kitchen-size trash bags
• Laptop computer and printer
• Wheelbarrow
• rakes, shovels, hoes in children and adult sizes

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QUANTUM INTERNET SERVICES DONATION

Quantum Internet Services of Manchester, Maryland has AGAIN graciously donated to the Manchester Parks Foundation/Charlotte's Quest Nature Center our Internet Services, hosting of our web site and our domain name www.charlottesquestnaturecenter.com.

THANKS QUANTUM!

Quantum Internet Services
2975-B Manchester Road
Manchester, Maryland 21102

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Charlotte's Quest
NATURE CENTER
A Non-Profit Organization

Charlotte's Quest NATURE CENTER
3400 Wilhelm Lane
Manchester, Maryland 21102
410.374.3395

Email Us

Free Guestbooks by Bravenet.com

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HOURS OF OPERATION

Charlotte's Quest is under the direction of the Manchester Parks Foundation and the Town of Manchester. Charlotte's Quest Nature Center is operated by volunteers and one paid staff member, the Naturalist, and is maintained by donations, grants, memberships, and in-kind gifts. No government funding is received.

The Nature Center's Interpretive Building will be open the
First Sunday of each month: 
12:30 PM until 4 PM (except holidays)
and during special events and programs
Weekdays: 
are by appointment

Our 4 1/2 miles of trails, Walnut Pond, the Stream of Life, the natural springs and forests are open everyday from dawn until dusk. You are welcome to park and walk in.

Feel free to park at the gate and walk in during the hours that the Interpretive Building is not open.

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MISSION

It is the mission of the Manchester Parks Foundation to be stewards of the environment by protecting the watershed area and our precious natural resources, by teaching environmental education to the public, by the restoring of the native plants and animals, and by maintaining a diverse natural world.

The Manchester Parks Foundation is the caretakers of Charlotte's Quest Nature Center and Pine Valley Park.

We appreciate your visits.
Come back again.

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CHARLOTTE'S QUEST
NATURE CENTER

and Pine Valley Park

RULES AND REGULATIONS

These rules are intended to secure the fullest enjoyment of the facilities for our visitors. The commission of offenses under local ordinances or state law shall be cause for arrest.

1. Park grounds are open to the public from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week.
2. Park facilities are available for public use on a first come, first serve basis except for areas that have been previously reserved.
3. No fires permitted without prior permission
4. Vehicles are restricted to designated roads and parking areas only.
5. No alcoholic beverages allowed on park property.
6. No dumping or littering on park property, all trash must be carried out.
7. All pets must be under owner's control at all times. (Please carry doggie do out with you.)
8. No weapons or firearms (including BB guns) allowed on park property.
9. No person may hunt, trap or endanger animals in any way.
10. No boating or swimming allowed in park.
11. Cutting of timber is prohibited
12. Fishing is catch and release only.
13. No sales, solicitations, or placement of any signs within the park without prior permission.
14. Disturbing habitat of animals is prohibited.
15. Structures, plants and natural features may not be removed, damaged, or defaced.
16. A person may not camp or lodge without prior permission from the Manchester Parks Foundation.
17. Loitering in vehicles is prohibited.