Howard Life - October 2007-May 2008 - (Page 17) and areas for nature viewing and out-of-doors leisure. Their mission is to promote opportunities to pursue safe and enjoyable leisure activities in balance with the protection and conservation of natural resources. Recently celebrating its 40th birthday, Columbia was founded on the vision of creating a beautiful environment for its residents and purposefully infusing nature into the lives of all who visit and live here. The Columbia Association maintains more than 3,400 acres of open space, including 265 footbridges, 170 tot lots, the 40-acre Symphony Woods, 40 ponds and lakes, and natural open-space areas, all woven together by more than 100 miles of pathways for walking, biking, and jogging. L.L. Bean at the Mall in Columbia offers “Walk-On Adventures," which invite anyone to enjoy 1 to 2 hour ecotourism experiences: Simply sign up, and all necessary equipment and shuttle service to popular Centennial Lake is provided. L.L. Bean’s tours give visitors and residents the opportunity to learn about and view the dynamic wildlife that abounds, while also improving their kayaking or fly-casting skills. Just 20 minutes from Columbia, with beautiful vistas of the Patapsco Valley, is the Gudelsky Environmental Education Center at the Howard County Conservancy, located onsite at Mt. Pleasant, a 300-year-old farm. Opened in 2005, it is Howard County’s first nature center and operates as a nature reserve and educational facility. In keeping with its mission, the center was built with many “green” elements, including recycled bamboo-and-tire flooring and full-spectrum lighting. The center offers programs on local animal and plant life found in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. With a variety of habitats and micro-climates, the conservancy’s 232 acres of rolling hills are perfectly suited for nature study and exploration. In fact, more than 140 species of birds and other wildlife make their home at the conservancy and in the surrounding area. As the desire for ecotourism experiences grows, Howard County Tourism has Kenneth Losurdo, Jr. howardLIFE 17
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