Otter Point Creek Alliance
The Otter Point Creek Alliance (OPCA) traces its origins back to the late 1800s, when the Leight family first settled on the land. In 1982, the family generously donated 61 acres to Harford County, laying the foundation for what would become the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center. Since then, the property has expanded through the efforts of organizations dedicated to conservation. The Harford Land Trust played a key role in acquiring and protecting adjacent lands, helping preserve the surrounding landscape for future generations. Additionally, the Izaak Walton League of America purchased the marshland across from the Estuary Center to maintain its ecological integrity. Together, these efforts reflect a shared belief within the Harford County community: that this land is worth stewarding, conserving, and educating others about. Through their support, OPCA continues to thrive as a hub for environmental education, conservation, and hands-on learning.
The mission of the Otter Point Creek Alliance is to support and promote environmental education, research, and stewardship. OPCA offers volunteer opportunities, sponsors college internships, and works to make environmental learning accessible to all.
“In order for people to love and care... and put their time and effort into protecting the environment, they have to love it first,” said Program Coordinator Cheryl Foley. That guiding philosophy shapes OPCA’s work today. Its mission revolves around hands-on volunteer programs that gives high school students meaningful ways to connect with nature, whether through field trips, community events, or on-site ecological research.
OPCA offers many opportunities for students to get involved. They hold various roles in education, such as serving as student assistants during:
- Field trips for school groups
- Scout groups
- Daycares
- Preschools
They also help with hands-on activities like fish seining and teaching basic concepts about local wildlife.
OPCA hosts three major annual events that rely heavily on volunteer support. These events are mostly staffed by volunteers, with roles including:
- Managing snack tables
- Face painting
- Leading educational stations on local birds and mammals
Students take on diverse roles that help ensure these festivals' success. For those interested in science, OPCA offers several research and monitoring programs. Students regularly gather data on different populations, such as juvenile fish, bluebirds, and submerged aquatic vegetation. One recent project involves monitoring water quality and stream habitats near Route 40 after major culvert construction, providing students with hands-on experience in long-term environmental studies.
Animal enthusiasts can volunteer at the nature center by:
- Helping care for reptiles and amphibians
- Cleaning enclosures
- Feeding
- Handling animals
- Recording health data with measurements and basic math skills
Other volunteer opportunities include:
- Working at the front desk
- Conducting outreach in the community for events and festivals across the region, including appearances at the Maryland Zoo and Maryland Science Center
Otter Point Creek Alliance offers a variety of volunteer roles that allow students to connect with nature, develop leadership skills, and make meaningful contributions to environmental education and conservation.
Impactful Volunteers
Nurturing Potential Through Nature
One story that stands out to Foley is about a student who began volunteering at 12 years old. Shawn Slater was deeply passionate about the environment and was a nature-oriented and an environmentally gifted kid. He had an impressive ability to remember species names and animal behavior. Despite facing academic struggles in school, he thrived at OPCA, which quickly became a second home and an inspiring space for him to grow. Over the years, he developed a talent for nature photography. Now, at 20 years old, OPCA is working with him to get his photos published for sale. This story emphasizes the heart of OPCA’s mission: investing in the next generation and giving young people the opportunity to connect with something meaningful.
OPCA in Action
Barred Owl - Shawn Slater
Pontoon Pier in the Fall
Pontoon Pier at LowTide
Sora Rail
Marsh Flowers
OPCA & Harford Helps FAQs
Harford Helps is a searchable directory of charitable organizations and community service agencies in Harford County Maryland.
Harford Helps makes it easy to find places to donate items no longer needed, discover volunteer opportunities with meaningful causes, and locate programs and services that provide assistance to people in need.
Click the button that says OPCA to go to their Harford Helps profile page.
Visit HarfordHelps.com, open the directory, use the search tool to select causes of interest, then click submit to explore local organizations supporting the causes you care about!
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About Harford Helps
Harford Helps is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to connecting organizations through volunteerism and donations. By partnering with local non-profits, schools, and community groups, Harford Helps makes it easy for individuals to give back in ways that align with their passions and availability. This platform serves as a centralized hub for discovering not only volunteer opportunities but also for donation options and finding help.
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