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Thurmont’s 2023 Great Pumpkin Pick-Up Event

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Daniel Genemans is shown with some of the approximately 1,000 pumpkins and gourds collected from the town of Thurmont in the Second Annual Great Pumpkin Pick-Up event on November 25.

Sponsored by the Thurmont Green Team to prevent pumpkins from going into the landfill and feed area farm and zoo animals, the pickup was made possible by 20 volunteers, from ages 8 to 81, combing  the town streets collecting pumpkins and gourds placed on the curb by Thurmont residents. Once collected, they were dropped off at The Catoctin Wildlife Preserve, Rise and Shine Farm, Catoctin Mountain Farm, and Deer Run Farm, to provide food for bison and other hoofed zoo animals, pigs, and chickens.

Maryland’s Prime Vacation Spots

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Jayden Myers

For those traveling in the area, whether it be for sightseeing, visiting, or just passing through, there are some unique places that you could stop visit this summer and fall.

Locally, spots such as Cunningham Falls State Park, Catoctin Wildlife Preserve, and the Catoctin Furnace are places worth visiting.

Cunningham Falls State Park is a beautiful place to visit, not just for its scenery but for some of the activities it offers. There are many trails that are great for hiking, and the lake holds opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing. If planning for a longer stay, there are campsites for overnight visits. You can also visit Catoctin Furnace while visiting Cunningham, as it is located within.

Catoctin Furnace is appealing to history buffs, as it holds history from the American Revolutionary War and much more. You can explore what remains and enjoy the views as you do.

Catoctin Wildlife Preserve is a lovely place to go and enjoy the wildlife. You can feed and touch some of the animals, as well as enjoy some of the other activities it offers. It can be a very fun experience for both kids and adults.

For areas a bit farther away, Deep Creek Lake and Ocean City are some great family vacation options.

Deep Creek Lake has something for everyone. You can rent estates in the area to serve as a homebase while exploring all the recreational options lake has to offer. The lake has tons of different activities for the whole family. In certain sectioned-off locations, it is safe to swim and play, as it is roped off and has lifeguards during the summer. The lake is also open to boating and fishing, as well as other water activities.

Ocean City has many family-friendly activities, like miniature golf, amusement parks, and water parks. On the boardwalk, there are arcades, shops, stands, and you can listen to the waves from the beach. On the beach, you can swim, play, boat, and fish. Fun for the whole family.

One other great place to stay in Maryland is Assateague Island. It has amazing scenery and wild horses roaming the island. You can swim, camp, and sightsee while there. You can go kayaking, see the wildlife, go hiking, horseback riding, and more!

Make sure to check out some of the amazing places in Maryland this summer and fall.

Aquascape Ecosystem is the Centerpiece for Catoctin Wildlife Preserve’s “Asian Trail”

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Construction Has Begun for Revitalized 25,000-gallon Koi Pond

Landscaping contractors from the tri-state area are converging on Catoctin Wildlife Preserve in Thurmont to complete a new, naturally balanced koi pond. The work is being done as part of a Certified Aquascape Contractors (CAC) Build, which brings water feature contractors and distributors together for real-world training intensives with an experienced instructor.

Aquascape’s Ed “The Pond Professor” Beaulieu will lead the construction of a 25,000-gallon water habitat for Japanese Koi and ornamental fish, creating a revitalized centerpiece for the expanding Asian Trail at the Preserve. When complete, the exhibit will replace a 16,000-gallon pond installed in 2007. 

Guests will see a naturally-balanced habitat with mechanical and biological filtration, fish, and aquatic plants. Tiered waterfalls provide aeration, gravel and stone support beneficial bacteria, and aquatic plants purify the water. The result will be a crystal clear wetland environment.

When the trail opens to Preserve visitors in 2020, new pathways will wind past Snow Leopard, Asian Small-Clawed Otters, a wading bird rookery with Sacred Ibis and Abdim’s Stork, and Japanese Red-Crowned Cranes, an endangered species bred at the Preserve.

Beaulieu’s work has been featured on the cover of Architectural Digest, has appeared on several HGTV and DIY channel shows, and served as the project manager for the installation of water features at the Flower and Garden Festival “Water Garden Wonders” highlight at Epcot Center.

The build is the result of coordinated community efforts by the Preserve’s in-house staff, host CAC Kingdom Landscaping, host Aquascape Distributor Turf Equipment and Supply, and an estimated 50 participating contractors. Heavy equipment dealers Bobcat of Frederick and Rentals Unlimited of Frederick have donated excavation equipment and tool rentals for the build. Barrick & Sons will deliver over 85 tons of river gravel.

Want to help them complete the pond and Asian Trail? You can donate to the project and see photos at catoctinwildlifepreserve.com/koi/.

Pictured is early work showing the various river rocks in place for the new upcoming 25,000-gallon koi pond at Catoctin Wildlife Preserve in Thurmont.

Vulnerable Species of Civet Born at Catoctin Wildlife Preserve

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A threatened species from Madagascar just got a little less rare with the addition of two Fossa pups, born at Catoctin Wildlife Preserve June 17, 2017. Only five zoos in the United States have successfully bred and raised this rare species.

Now ten-weeks old, the male and female pair of pups are the second group born at the Preserve in two years. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species as “Vulnerable,” with their greatest threat in the wild coming from habitat destruction.

The pups are being hand-raised by the Preserve’s certified veterinary technician, Laurie Hahn, who was also responsible for successfully raising the two pups born in 2015. For unknown reasons, the Fossa mother rejected her pups a few days after birth. Since they are born blind and helpless, the pups would certainly have perished if not for staff intervention.

Raising baby Fossa requires feedings every two hours, around the clock, for their first two weeks. The pups now weigh over 500 grams and are beginning to eat solid foods, in addition to their special liquid formula. The Fossa pups will be available for viewing beginning Labor Day weekend.

The cat-like carnivore became known to many after appearing in the animated Dreamworks film Madagascar. Slender and long-bodied, Fossa resemble small cougars and are closely related to mongoose. They are the largest mammalian carnivore on the island of Madagascar.

The Preserve is currently expanding the Fossa Forest facility and welcome sponsors and donations for the materials and labor to complete this important project.  To make a donation, please contact Executive Director Richard Hahn at 301-271-3180.

Catoctin Wildlife Preserve is located at 13019 Catoctin Furnace Road in Thurmont.

To find out more, visit their website at CatoctinWildlifePreserve.com.