Producing this revision has been a cooperative effort spanning more than a decade before 1995. At the risk of overlooking someone, I would like to express my gratitude to the following people who helped make this edition a reality.

Site Compilers: Scott Berglund (and section helpers Joe Byrnes, Felicia Lovelett, Steve Schwemmer, and Chuck Stirrat), Jeff Culler, Ralph Cullison III, Ward Ebert, Bill Hill, Emmalyn Holdridge, John
McKitterick, Nancy Magnusson, Tom Miller, Sue Neri, Bonnie Ott, Kurt Schwarz, Chris Toscano, Kate Tufts, June Tveekrem, Jim Wilkinson, and Michele Wright. Many compilers have taken a proprietary interest in a park or area and have invested (and continue to invest) a great deal of time and effort in tracking the fauna present there.

Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks employees are always easy to work with—pleasant, competent, and cooperative. Gary Arthur, John Byrd, and Mark Raab have been instrumental in providing access to parkland and open space. Sue Muller has supplied frog, dragonfly, bird, and miscellaneous information for many sites in her usual enthusiastic manner. Cheryl Farfaras provided complete butterfly information for MPEA and continues to share information and special finds on that large piece of property. Michele Wright is grateful for information and assistance received from Bill Eckert and Phil Norman in compiling the David Force Natural Resource Area site guide. Dawn Poholsky is a major reason why much of the site guide information could be produced. Her ability to provide numerous maps in any form requested and to track down answers to many questions has been nothing short of magical. She is one of the many special people at Rec and Parks.

June Tveekrem’s computer knowledge combined with her eye for critical detail were essential in multiple aspects of production from initial editing to text changes, from layout to final preparation.

Nancy Magnusson’s proofing skills and her assistance with area maps has been ongoing. Sharing time in the field with her is always special.

Scott Berglund has added a valuable dimension to the site guides. He has also constructed a number of maps to enhance the clarity of the site descriptions. He cheerfully and capably took on the oversight of all the locations on the Patapsco River. In addition his bird photographs are a fine addition to many sites. What a treasure!

Chuck Stirrat and Amanda Witt systematically checked information and links for accuracy and user accessibility—an underappreciated but valuable contribution.

Jane Coskren heads the Howard County Bird Club’s Parks Checklist Project. The checklists for the major parks and the Columbia lakes created under her direction have served as the basis for four of the seasonal site bird lists.

Bob Ringler answered any number of questions promptly thanks to his excellent database, years of experience, and encyclopedic knowledge of Maryland birds.

Louise Dove’s professional editorial skills have been a gift of immense proportions. Editing is often invisible, but it is essential to the quality of the final result.

Dick Smith assisted in compiling some site butterfly lists, provided advice, identified photos, and answered numerous questions.

Richard Orr, keeper of the state odonate records, answered questions and provided encouragement in assembling site dragonfly lists..

Wes Earp utilized his background and considerable knowledge to add soils information to some site guides, providing an additional means of understanding the existing flora and fauna. His close-up photos are a fine addition to many sites.

Sue Earp’s scenic photos grace many sites adding an extra dimension to those pages.

With his long-time interest in the birds of this county, Chandler Robbins has continued to be an inspiration to Howard County birders.

Our debt to those who contributed to the original 1995 print edition is substantial, especially to Chris Ludwig who originated the newsletter series on which this whole effort is based.

Emy Holdridge, Nancy Magnusson, Bonnie Ott, Wes and Sue Earp, Karen Darcy, Jane Coskren, and Bob Solem have trekked with me to sites in need of coverage, taken photographs, measured mileage, and spotted everything from birds and butterflies to frogs and fungi. What fun it has been!

My husband, Bob Solem, has been the reason this revision could be placed online. His technical skills and his willingness to invest the time to overcome challenges made a believer of this Luddite. His
encouragement and enthusiasm for this project never flagged.

Finally, to all those kindred spirits who have shared so many hours in the field, I can only say a collective thank you! Together we have conducted dozens of seasonal counts and county big days. With you, I have stared into northwest winds at Triadelphia, braced against winter cold at the landfill, sloshed through the swale at the farm, crawled through pines at Patuxent River Park, walked floodplains inhaling spring with every step, and atlased nooks and crannies in every block. Each of you has enriched my life beyond measure!

—Jo