Phil Bell: Calvert Nature Society Support
Calvert Nature Society recently acquired more than 100 wooded acres, fields and wetlands, further protecting one of Calvert County's unique natural habitats. The purchase of the property, now known as Keim Forest, effectively doubles the protected area around Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, one of the northernmost stands of bald cypress trees in the country.
Phil Bell has loved exploring outdoors since he was a child and says he "would rather be in the woods than in a building full of people." A retired PG County police officer, Phil now works part time and, with his kids grown, he spends some of his spare time maintaining trails and making improvements at Keim Forest.
He cleaned up the area around the historic tobacco barn and installed gates to restrict vehicle traffic. A trail camera Phil monitors documented barred owls living on the property.
