Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Participates in Stadium Woods January Invasive Removal Event

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing fantastic, thanks to the Almighty! Earlier today, I joined some students along with members of The Environmental Coalition at Virginia Tech for the monthly invasive removal event organized by Friends of Stadium Woods. In 2011 and 2012 Stadium Woods was threatened by the proposed construction of an athletic indoor football practice training facility. Thanks to local activism that attracted national attention, Virginia Tech decided to build the facility elsewhere on campus.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Stadium Woods is 11.3 acres of rare, urban old-growth forest located behind Lane Stadium on Virginia Tech's campus. 24 species of trees grow in the Stadium Woods. This site is the web presence of Friends of Stadium Woods, an all-volunteer, grassroots organization dedicated to protecting the woods from development. Friends of Stadium Woods’ primary mission is to ensure the woods’ permanent protection and preservation. The goals of this organization consist of maintenance and care, as well as research and education.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Along with Millie, ECVT member, our task was to physically remove an invasive plant called privet. While I used the shovel to dig into the root, Millie hand pulled the plant. It's important for these plants to be pulled as soon as possible before they produce seeds. The entire root must be removed in order to prevent resprouting. The reason why we had to get rid of the privet trees is because they are not native to the area of stadium woods and it prevents biodiversity among the native species.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Although the sun was out, the temperature was 34 degrees and the wind was very cold. You can also see some snow on the ground, and because of this it was really tough to dig and hand pull the plants because the soil was frozen. We did our best to stay warm, but by the time we were finished with cleaning, my toes and fingers were frozen, even though I was wearing socks and gloves, respectively. Overall, I'm glad to have been part of this event because I got to learn about the native species and invasive species at Stadium Woods, and how to identify them. Biodiversity is important! Thank you, Mother Earth!

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Fun Fact: white oak is the predominant species in Stadium Woods, both in number and stature. There are 213 white oaks over 12 inches in diameter. In case you did not know this, White Oak is the State Tree of Maryland, designated in 1941. The most famous example of the White Oak was the Wye Oak at Wye Mills, Maryland. Handsome and sturdy, the white oak is named for its whitish bark and grey twigs. White Oaks are large, long-lived, and slow-growing trees, reaching heights of 60 to 150 feet, with diameters between 3 to 4 feet. Their glossy, bright green leaves have rounded lobes, five to seven per leaf. The species is found commonly throughout my beautiful state of Maryland!

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

15 Things To Know About the New Miss Earth Maryland Ruby B. Johnson

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing great, thanks be to God! As the newly crowned Miss Earth Maryland 2015, I am so excited to serve as an ambassador for the Old Line State which I've called home for more than 11 years. I'm excited to share my journey with all of you on this blog as I advocate for my Beauties for a Cause project: “Mining Rocks: Importance of Mining in Our Everyday Life,” as well as my journey to the Miss Earth United States 2015 pageant this summer. But before we get into that, I'll like to share some things about me, so you can get to know me. Let's get this fun icebreaker started! Read the first 5 here.

I get to blow things up at my job

• Blasting is the controlled use of explosives and other methods such as gas pressure blasting pyrotechnics that is used in mining to excavate or break down rock. In my previous work experiences as a mining engineering student from a co-operative internship in South Carolina and internship in Kono District (Sierra Leone), I had several opportunities to learn about and conduct blasts. 

I have no allergies

• When I was younger, I used to say that I was allergic to pineapples because all my friends had allergies but me. My mouth sometimes reacted to eating the fruit, so I thought I would be cool like others if I had an allergy too.

I love politics

• I believe that it is very important for us as citizens of our community and country to be knowledgeable about those who represent and serve us in public office. I have always found politics to be intriguing and since I became of legal age to vote, I have exercised my right as an American to be an informed and active voter. Last year, I became an election judge in Maryland, and first served as a Chief Elections Judge during the primary elections in my county.

I like speaking in different accents

• Something I enjoy doing is speaking in different accents. It's a fun way to become someone else without changing one's identity for a little amount of time. The accent I like speaking in most is British.

My favorite city is Silver Spring

• Silver Spring is also my hometown, which is the 4th most populous place in Maryland. I love Silver Spring because it is a city that is culturally, racially, and religiously diverse, and there are many wonderful attractions and people one can meet every day. There's something for everyone!

Look out for another blog post where I'll share the rest of the 15 facts!

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Photo: Prince Zamira Photography

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

15 Things To Know About the New Miss Earth Maryland Ruby B. Johnson

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing great, thanks be to God! As the newly crowned Miss Earth Maryland 2015, I am so excited to serve as an ambassador for the Old Line State which I've called home for more than 11 years. I'm excited to share my journey with all of you on this blog as I advocate for my Beauties for a Cause project: “Mining Rocks: Importance of Mining in Our Everyday Life,” as well as my journey to the Miss Earth United States 2015 pageant this summer. But before we get into that, I'll like to share some things about me, so you can get to know me. Let's get this fun icebreaker started!

I am living the American dream

• I was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone (West Africa) and came to the United States in 2003. Something I'm very proud of is that I did that traveling all by myself at a young age! As a Sierra Leone-born naturalized US citizen, I uphold my Sierra Leonean values, and I'm proud to be an American living in a nation that provides opportunities and excellence.

I am passionate about women's issues

• In November 2010, I started an organization called When You Believe Foundation, Inc. She is my baby! The mission of WYBF is to do outreach, raise awareness, provide assistance, enhance the lifestyle, promote self-sufficiency, and empower girls and women in our communities. With the help of my amazing family and friends, and dedicated volunteers, WYBF has created events and workshops in Maryland and other US states, as well as outreach via social media.

My life motto is in Philippians 4:13

• As a Christ-lover, throughout my life the motto I live by is found in Philippians 4:13 which states “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (The Holy Bible)

My favorite color is red

• I love the color red. Being that my name is Ruby is just the icing on the cake. My birthstone is sapphire, which is blue corundum; ruby and sapphire are different variations of corundum mineral. It all comes full circle, it's fantastic! The fact that I wear a lot of red is a good reminder for folks to always remember me as Ruby Red!

My favorite number is 9

• My birth month is September, which is the 9th month in the year; my birth day is the 9th; my favorite age was 9; and my cellphone number contains a lot of 9s. In the Mohs hardness scale, the hardness of corundum is 9 (second hardest mineral after diamond).

Look out for another blog post where I'll share the rest of the 15 facts!

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Ruby Red!

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility