Manor Mill, a historic arts and education center in Monkton, Maryland, has joined forces with Gunpowder Valley Conservancy (GVC), a nonprofit dedicated to land preservation and water restoration in the Gunpowder Watershed.
This partnership will enhance Manor Mill’s commitment to environmental stewardship by implementing stormwater best management practices (BMPs) on its property—an effort that aligns with GVC’s mission to protect and restore the Gunpowder Watershed, a vital landscape stretching from York County, Pennsylvania, to the Chesapeake Bay through Baltimore, Carroll, and Harford Counties.
Funded in part by The Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region III, GVC’s Clear Creeks Project will provide expertise and resources to reduce runoff, prevent flooding, and improve water quality at Manor Mill, a former grist mill that traces its founding to 1740.
The project will implement stormwater best management practices, using native plants to absorb excess water, prevent runoff, and enhance the natural resilience of historic Manor Mill and its surrounding property.
Currently, runoff from stormwater carries sediment and nutrients into nearby Charles Run, threatening native brook trout populations and degrading the water quality of the Gunpowder River.
Planned improvements include:
✅ A native plant garden adjacent to the Mill and Miller’s House
✅ Runoff management solutions in the parking lot to prevent erosion
✅ Enhancements to the Faerie Trail, a scenic path that winds through woods, a ravine, and a meadow, providing access to Charles Run
Beyond the environmental benefits, the project will serve as an educational resource for Manor Mill visitors.
“The Faerie Trail will become an outdoor education resource where our Mill guests can learn about the local ecosystem,” says Angelo Otterbein, owner of Manor Mill. “Specially crafted signs explaining the environmental significance of the various projects will be strategically placed around Mill property to explain what was done and why. We are excited at the Mill to have these and other opportunities to promote environmental stewardship, to support the work of the GVC, and to do our part to sustain the natural beauty of the Gunpowder Valley.”
Once completed, Manor Mill will maintain the project with staff and local volunteers, ensuring its long-term success. Work is expected to begin this spring.
“This project is a shining example of how a business can positively impact not just its own property, but the entire watershed,” said GVC Executive Director Lindsay Crone. “By reducing sediment pollution and managing runoff responsibly, Manor Mill is helping to protect the health of the Gunpowder River and Chesapeake Bay. More importantly, it’s showing visitors that conservation isn’t just necessary—it can also be beautiful and deeply rewarding.”