Blog

Guest post by CA Sustainability team

Columbia is ranked as one of the most livable cities in the country for its blend of culture, nature and sustainability. Open space is the backbone of our daily life.

Columbia Association (CA) owns and maintains more than 3,600 acres of open space and 95 miles of pathways. The parks, paths and facilities provide opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors, live a healthier and more active lifestyle and gather with friends and family. Plus, the forested land in our open space filters our water, protects us from flooding, moderates our local climate and preserves biodiversity of plants, insects, birds and other wildlife.

If your property backs to CA open space, you may enjoy increased privacy from neighbors, visits from owls and foxes, blackberries and black raspberries, just a few steps away, and the magic of thousands of fireflies lighting up your summer nights.

The many advantages of living next to open space are balanced by a responsibility to be a good steward to our natural areas so they can function as needed.

Help conserve and protect our natural resources

• Private structures like sheds, patios and trampolines belong in your own yard. Respect property boundaries.
• Backyard pet waste washes into open areas and harms water quality. Please remove waste promptly.
• Dogs and cats may injure wildlife; keep dogs leashed and prevent cats from hunting by keeping them indoors.
• Fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides used on private property flow downhill, ending up in open space and our streams. Click here for a list of alternatives to synthetic chemicals from the University of Maryland Extension to help prevent harm to water and wildlife.
• Fallen leaves, sticks and yard waste may be composted on your own property or disposed of through county pick-up.
• Invasive plants spread into open space from private property (and vice versa). For the sake of our forests, we encourage you to remove English ivy, Barberry, Burning Bush, Autumn Olive, Vinca and other invasive plants from your yard. Click here for CA’s invasive plants resource and reference library.
• Mowing, clearing or gardening in open space without approval is not permitted. If you have a yard that extends into open space or concerns about invasive plants in your adjacent open space, email OpenSpace.ResourceRequests@columbiaassociation.org.

Wondering if you live next to CA or county property? If you’re not sure, ask your village manager or use the county interactive map to find out: data/howardcountymd.gov/InteractiveMap.html.

Calling all volunteers!

We welcome residents of all ages to join us in maintaining the health of our open space through our volunteer programs including Weed Warriors, Pull and Plants and Adopt-a-Spots. Visit CA’s Engage page to learn more.