It is with sadness that we note the recent passing of one of the most important advocates of the Monocacy Nature Center, Mr. Thom Mutchler.

In the early 1970’s, when both a major power line and a sewer trunk was proposed, it was he who led the effort to minimize the impact on this special area, to clean it up, and to convince the city fathers to designate the area as a Nature Center.  Working with the city parks department and community volunteer groups, he was a positive force for turning what had been essentially a wasteland into the Sanctuary that we enjoy today.

There were many problems to overcome.  There were several dumps to clean up, and the former paint mill that operated nearby had severely and negatively impacted the lower section, including the pond.  In addition, there was the problem of changing public opinion in these beginning days of environmentalism.  There had even been a proposal to construct a huge bridge over the park, as an extension of Washington Street, presumably to facilitate traffic to the newly erected Martin Tower.

Once the area had been designated a Nature Center, Thom proceeded to install a variety of natural artifacts in the Illick’s Mill building, including some of his birds and taxidermy mounts and nature exhibits.  Occasional informal programs were held there, primarily for Boys Scouts and other small groups, and with the help of various local volunteers.

Over the years, Thom continued to lead and participate in Sanctuary projects.  He was a potent force in organizing work parties, and coordinating them with city and volunteer groups.  Those of us who worked with him in recent years will fondly remember him as he worked on a fallen tree in the Monocacy Creek: wearing waders up to his hips, and up to his chest in water, wielding a chain saw.  One of his last projects was a Purple Martin house that he installed at the rear of the Swimming Pool field.  He also saw to it that there were always self-guiding maps in the box at the entrance to the Nature Center.

Thom was involved in many other nature-related activities, and he shared all of them, by involving others and by various educational talks.  For many years he was the compiler for the local area annual Christmas Bird Count.  He was active in HMANA, a nationally know raptors organization.  He was a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.  He typically had a dozen or more birds convalescing in cages in his back yard.  He not only cared for them, but he often performed surgery on hawk and owls which had broken bones.  He pioneered the use of metal pins for that purpose.  Thom also founded the Little Gap Hawk Watch and Banding Station, and it continues to operate successfully to this day.  He also installed and maintained a series of American Kestrel nesting boxes in the surrounding farmland, banding dozens of nestlings every Spring.  Yet another banding project involved House Finches.

Thom was a positive influence on many budding nature enthusiasts, and a valuable asset to the Monocacy Creek Watershed Association and the Nature Center.  He will be sorely missed.

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