Keith Sanderson

I just received the Rockville City Envirnmental Excellence Award for '12, and took 2nd place in their Environmental Photo Contest.I hold a degree in Biology from Western Mich. U.(1966) where I studied plant taxonomy and was caretaker of the Kalamazoo County Herbarium+ the Klinestuck Preserve. From 1966 through 2010 I taught biology and horticulture, 3 years in Ghana, and 32 years in Montgomery County Public Schools. I have experience in landscaping, outdoor education, and nature photography. As a Montgomery County Weed Warrior, I am familiar with the invasive and native plant species in this area. I am currently licensed to remove invasives in the City of Rockville, have published a Self-Guided Tour of Maryvale Park in Rockville, and have designed a booklet on invasive plants and stream topography for the SOS program. I am familiar with the ecology of local habitats. With my Earth Science and Biology degrees, I enjoy leading interpretive nature walks. I also volunteer at the Second Chance Wildlife Center in Gaitherberg, MD. General photo activities: Provided pictures for Maryvale Park educational signs for Environmental Management Division Rockville City. Conceived and designed the Watershed Photographic Exhibit at the Croyden Creek Nature Center. Started the Environmental Management photo library. In 2011 made 13 composite photo posters and presented to the Mayor of Rockville and Parks Dept. for display in various parks buildings around the City.Weed Warrior training or related activity requiring plant knowledge: Weed Warriors City permits for Dogwood area and adjacent Stoneridge Preserve from City of Rockville. To date I have spent 100+ hours cutting and removing mostly Non-Native Invasive vines and herbaceous weeds from this area= 100 acres. I have a WW permit for Maryvale Park= 7.5 acres. I maintain a public trail around Stoneridge Pond, through the upper wooded area.Save Our Stream program: As a volunteer starting in 2010, I wrote supplementary SOS manuals with photos for SOS training, and worked at all 6 testing sites in 2011 by leading many activities. In 2011, I wrote+ published the booklet "Maryvale Park: A Self-guided Tour of Invasive and Native Plants & Other Points of Interest",then used it in a field trip for the Capitol Area Garden Club.