Welcome to the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area & Foundation.

The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA) is a “forever protected” natural environmental area.  At 1,021 acres, it is the largest area in Howard County’s system of parks, open space and natural resource areas.  Howard County’s Department of Recreation and Parks manages the area in a cooperative partnership with the Middle Patuxent Environmental Foundation.  The area is managed using ecosystem management concepts to restore and protect the diversity of communities found in this region.

The MPEA is home to a diversity of wildlife, including about 150 species of birds, over 40 species of mammals, and numerous amphibians, reptiles, fishes, butterflies, plants and other wildlife.  This parkland is comprised largely of mature, second-growth upland forest and floodplain forest. The Middle Patuxent River runs north to south through the property, with 17 tributary streams found within its boundaries.

The MPEA is bordered by Maryland Route 108 to the north, and Maryland Route 32/Cedar Lane to the south.  We invite you to visit the MPEA, located at 5795 Trotter Rd. Clarksville, MD, to explore this beautiful, preserved natural area. Please browse our photos to see the beauty that the MPEA has to offer! And please come take a walk on one of the MPEA's 5 1/2 miles of trails!

If you are so inclined, we also invite you to donate your time or dollars to help maintain and preserve this resource.

Enjoy!