Volunteers in the Neighborhood
Citizen Science and Frog Watch
Our neighbor Janet DeWoskin got involved in Citizen Science projects when she lived in North Carolina. She worked with the Candid Critters Program, using a trail camera to identify animals in the wild, and with Frog Watch USA to survey amphibian populations. The Oxford English dictionary has defined Citizen Science as scientific work undertaken by members of the general public, often in collaboration with or under the direction of professional scientists and scientific institutions.
Here’s how Janet describes her Citizen Science volunteering in Montgomery County:
“When I moved to Maryland I was delighted to find Montgomery County Parks participates in FrogWatch USA! I go out to a designated park location and collect data on what species of frogs are active there. Frogs can be amazingly good at hiding, so this is all done through listening at night when they are calling.
“There are 14 frogs species that live in our county, and I learned to identify their calls. MC Parks has a good and supportive program to train volunteers, help them learn the calls, and to answer any questions. In addition to what species are heard, other data I collect include the date, time, air temperature, and wind speed at the time of observation. Then I upload the information into a national database that scientists can access. Since different species call at different times of the season I go out to listen for frogs about every other week.
“I really enjoy FrogWatch. Natural spaces have a different feel at night. It’s exciting to go out into a park after hours with my clipboard, flashlight, and FrogWatch-issued MC Park permission document – a must-have to enter a park after dark – and listen for which frogs are
there. Occasionally I see a frog, and sometimes I hear owls or see geese as well. I also find it enjoyable that I know who’s calling while walking in our neighborhood, when I’m out hiking, or even when driving around town.”
Check out these sites for more information about Citizen Science projects:
https://dnr.maryland.gov/Pages/Community_Science.aspx
https://doee.dc.gov/service/citizen-science-initiatives
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/citizenscience/get-involved.htm
https://scistarter.org/
https://www.usa.gov/citizen-science
Caring Matters
Before moving to Maryland in 2021 Tam Voynick volunteered as a facilitator for grief support groups in Austin, TX. She is grateful to have found a place to continue that work in Montgomery County with an organization called Caring Matters. They provide caring, compassionate, practical, and high quality, non-medical support services, without charge, to Montgomery County adults and children facing serious illness, caregiving challenges, loss, and grief. If you or someone you know could use these services, consider contacting Caring Matters. Tam found all the staff and volunteers she’s met to be kind, welcoming, and helpful.
Volunteers at Caring Matters can help cancer patients get to treatments, spend time with hospice patients, support care givers, offer grief support for children and adults, and help with events throughout the year. The Caring Matters website also offers video and other resources.
Montgomery County Volunteer Center
The link above is for a website that lists volunteer opportunities and organizations all over Montgomery County. The mission of the Montgomery County Volunteer Center is “… to promote and expand meaningful community service in Montgomery County by recruiting, supporting, and connecting volunteers and nonprofits.” There is information there for students interested in SSL (Student Service Learning), and volunteers of all ages can search for work that fits their interests and skills. You can even sign up to have someone from the Volunteer Center walk you through the website in a 1:1 online meeting.
Oak Chapel United Methodists’ Food Hub
For about 15 years one of our neighbors, Lisa Holtz, who lives on Gilpin Road, has been donating chickens to food pantries in our area at Easter and Christmas. For the last 4 or 5 years, Lisa has been raising money to purchase whole chickens and coordinating the donation
of these chickens to the Oak Chapel United Methodists' Food Hub. Some of you may have seen the long line of cars occasionally parked near Oak Chapel United Methodists' Food Hub. The Food Hub provides food for needy families regardless of their religious faith. Each week they serve about 140 families. Often these families receive rice, beans, peanut butter, jelly, staples, and some vegetables. A fresh whole chicken is a special item and is greatly appreciated for these holidays.
Lisa has lived in this neighborhood for 30 years and feels truly blessed by kind and generous neighbors. If you would like to assist Lisa and help your neighbors in need, you may contact Lisa Holtz by text or call her at 301-518-3554.
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