Virtual All-Network Meeting Held in March

On March 27th, the DRCN held an online "All-network Meeting." Peter Marx of Choose Clean Water Coalition provided an overview of the state of federal funding for conservation, followed by a Q&A session. Eastern Shore Land Conservancy highlighted the recent Delmarva Economic Impact Report and reminded DRCN members that the report is available to help communicate the value of conservation and restoration work on Delmarva.

Operating committees shared updates:

• Town & Urban Committee: Has been hosting Sustainable Coffee Hour discussions (building of RASCL's model) to bring together local government officials, staff, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders for conversations around sustainability and resilience topics.
• Restoration and Resilience Committee: First meeting of the year held in March. Attendees shared updates on projects, including: Marshes for Tomorrow, NPS marsh restoration at Assateague, Maryland Coastal Bays' "Whole Watershed" grant, DNREC hydrological restoration, and Center for Ecosystem Recovery Jefferson Island restoration. Field trip to Poplar Island is being organized.
• Land Protection Committee: Met late last year to discuss a possible Delmarva NAWCA application. Interested in a large group of partners and a diverse set of projects (both protection and restoration) across multiple states. Additional partners needed. Please reach out to committee chair David Satterfield (dsatterfield@eslc.org) with interest.
• Working Lands Committee: First meeting of the year held in March. Further distinguished committee focus (farm, field, and forest) from that of the Restoration and Resilience Committee. Planning to host next committee meeting in-person.

*FREE* Watershed Planning Technical Assistance

for Delmarva Towns

In partnership with Maryland Municipal League, Virginia Municipal League and the Delaware League of Local Governments, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is now providing free technical assistance to towns or municipalities interested in addressing local water resources concerns. The Alliance can work with participating towns to: access resource concerns on public lands, create a plan summarizing potential mitigation projects and next steps, provide a list of possible funding sources for green infrastructure implementation, connect towns with implementation partners and more. All Delmarva towns within the Chesapeake Bay watershed are encouraged to apply with this simple intake form.

Contact Tom Leigh (tleigh@allianceforthebay.org) for more information.

Community Driven Adaptation & Resilience Plan for Oyster, VA

The Village of Oyster in Northampton County, Virginia completed a Coastal Adaptation and Resilience Plan for their community (the Oyster Plan). The process was led by Dewberry Engineers and facilitated by The Nature Conservancy in partnership with Northampton County. Funding was provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Virginia’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund. It identifies community assets, determines their risk and vulnerability to flooding in the present and future at intervals relevant to the community, and contains 10% engineered design for the community’s top five strategies. This document also outlines a process for writing a plan that seeks input from all community stakeholders. By design, for each of the five prioritized strategies, all information needed to apply for funding for full design and implementation are included, positioning the community to be able to act quickly when a funding opportunity arises. The Oyster Plan can be used as a template for other coastal communities interested in applying for funding or creating a Resilience and Adaptation Plan for their community.

If you would like more information, please contact Susan Bates at The Nature Conservancy (susan.bates@tnc.org).

Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service, is soliciting proposals through the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund (DWCF) to conserve fish and wildlife habitat, enhance recreational opportunities for people, and support working lands in the Delaware River watershed.

The DWCF will award grants of $75,000 to $2,000,000 each to conserve, restore, and protect habitats on public and private land, across rural, urban, and Tribal areas, that contribute to the overall health of the Delaware River watershed—as well as benefit the quality of life and economic vitality of the communities in the Delaware River watershed. Available funding is dependent on the final FY25 operating budget from Congress.

Proposal Labs: Weekly virtual proposal labs will be held for through May 8th. The labs will provide a space where partners can share proposal ideas and receive one-on-one coaching and constructive feedback. To reserve some time in the lab, please visit our bookings page. *In 2025, applicants requesting $1,000,000 or more are required to meet with the DWCF team via a virtual proposal lab before submitting an application.

Please contact Erin Lewis (NFWF) Erin.Lewis@nfwf.org or Christina Ryder (USFWS) Christina_Ryder@fws.gov with general questions.

Applications are due Tuesday, May 13th, 2025, by 11:59 PM ET.

Chesapeake WILD Grant Program

Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense (WILD) Grants is live! NFWF, in partnership with FWS, is soliciting proposals through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund to restore, conserve, and connect fish and wildlife habitat in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams. All proposals must clearly address how projects will directly and measurably contribute to the accomplishment of one or more Chesapeake WILD Program priorities.

Proposal Labs: While WILD does not require consultation prior to application, we strongly encourage interested applicants to schedule a 25-minute virtual proposal lab with NFWF and FWS staff. Please come prepared to provide a brief overview of the project idea, how it advances Chesapeake WILD Program priorities, and application or process questions.

Please contact Tori Sullens (NFWF) Tori.Sullens@nfwf.org or Faren Wolter (USFWS) Faren_Wolter@fws.gov with general questions.

   Applications are due Tuesday, May 13th, 2025, 12:00 pm (noon) ET.

Guided walk of Oxford Conservation Park with Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

Saturday April 26, 2025, at 1 PM

Join ESLC on Oxford Day for a guided walk of Oxford Conservation Park and learn all about the park’s new 30-acre expansion of wildlife habitat and public trails.

Register Today

ESLC Conservation Classic

Join Eastern Shore Land Conservancy for our third annual Conservation Classic! This fun and competitive day will provide a morning of shooting followed by a pit beef lunch and awards. If target shooting and good food are your thing, please consider a sponsorship and bring your team of shooters along. We anticipate about 100 registrants for this event and non-shooters are welcome. Come support local land conservation while enjoying a beautiful summer day outdoors in Queen Anne’s County!

Register Today

How local governments are "sandboxing" their way to more effective Bay restoration.

The Chesapeake Bay Program discusses regulatory "sandboxing" and how restoration organizations can use it to their benefit.

Read Here

Delaware's Coastal Resilience Map

The Nature Conservancy explores and explains the approaches they are taking to create a resilient future on Delaware's Coastline via a four-step roadmap.

Read Here