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In This Issue
- Network Updates
- In Case You Missed It
- Upcoming Meetings
- Trainings, Workshops, & Conferences
- Recommended Reads
- Jobs & Internships
- About the DRCN
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Delmarva Film Series Part 1: Salted Earth
by: Katie Stahl and Sophia Seufert, USFWS
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Lower Shore Land Trust and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partnered with Salisbury University for a film screening event on April 24, 2024 in Salisbury, MD. This screening is first in a three-part “Delmarva Film Series” which seeks to educate and engage others about sea level rise and restoration. Salted Earth provides a sobering, yet inspiring look at the very real and present challenge of sea level rise on the Atlantic Coast.
Through intimate interviews with scientists, farmers, and community leaders, this hard-hitting, yet tenderly woven 20-minute documentary paints a vivid picture of an escalating environmental catastrophe, where the threat is not just the swelling sea, but the encroaching salt. The film was followed by a question-and-answer panel moderated by Sophia Seufert (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Several panelists were members of the film team: Dennis Coker (Chief of Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware) and Jon Cox (University of Delaware). Other panelists included local practitioners, who provided insight on the science behind climate change and highlighted local restoration projects: Kim Abplanalp (Maryland Coastal Bays Program), Carly Toulan (Maryland Coastal Bays Program), and Katherine Stahl (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). There were about 45 attendees who engaged in lively discussion for nearly an hour following the film.
The second film in the series Delmarva and the Ground for Change, sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture, will take place in July at the Marva Theater in Pocomoke, Maryland. The third film in the series “Water’s Way: Thinking Like a Watershed” will be shown in August at the Pemberton Park Amphitheater in Salisbury, MD in partnership with Shore Rivers.
Register for Part 2: Delmarva and the Ground for Change
And visit https://www.delmarvarcn.org/ for more information!
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Field Season Begins: Marshes for Tomorrow Initiative
by: Hen Bellman, Audubon Mid-Atlantic
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The Audubon Mid-Atlantic Team, leading the Marshes for Tomorrow initiative, will begin marsh bird surveys on the lower eastern shore of Maryland this month. We invite you to follow along with our monthly “Field Bog” which will be hosted on the DRCN webpage and Audubon Mid-Atlantic social media platforms. Starting in May, we plan to share a bird’s eye view, excuse the pun, of the SHARP protocols we’ll be employing to track marsh-obligate bird species and their abundance, their response to local restoration projects, such as sediment placement at Deal Island Wildlife Management Area, and enjoy a general chuckle as we sweat and stumble through the marshes this summer. We will be working alongside a collection of project partners including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Towson University, and the University of Delaware. These monthly blog entries will be posted on the 15th from May through August 2024.
Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or the DRCN Webpage!
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Community Engagement for Adaptation in Delmarva
will be Highlighted at DAAP Annual Forum
by: Jessica Macintosh, NOAA
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The Delmarva Alliance of Adaptation Practitioners (DAAP) provides opportunities for adaptation practitioners working with communities in Delmarva to share existing efforts, build off of current knowledge and expertise, discuss common challenges, explore potential solutions, and identify cooperative actions that will enhance individual efforts. Attendance will be free thanks to a generous sponsorship by the Bosserman Center for Conflict Resolution.
Forum objectives:
- Share information, approaches, and lessons learned from current adaptation efforts in Delmarva
- Learn about planned and ongoing work related to adaptation in Delmarva
- Brainstorm common challenges and discuss potential solutions
- Provide an opportunity to initiate or expand Delmarva partnerships
- Build and sustain partnerships between alliance members
Request for lightning talk speakers: Do you have a new or ongoing project that you would like to share? Or an idea you need help getting off the ground? We seek presenters to give lightning talks (five minutes or less) that highlight current and future adaptation efforts in Delmarva. If you would like to present, please indicate so on your registration or contact Jessica.McIntosh@NOAA.gov by May 8th.
Register Here (by May 8th)
More Information
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Recent Forest Certification Audit of Pocomoke
State Forest and the Chesapeake Forest Lands
by: Maryland DNR Forest Service
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The Pocomoke State Forest and the Chesapeake Forest Lands were recently audited by independent, third-party forest certification auditors. The two forests, which are operated as one, have been certified as sustainable since 2003 by the two primary forest certification standard organizations in the United States--the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), and are audited on an annual basis. These auditors review the state forest management and how it addresses multiple social, environmental, and economic standards, and recently completed an audit of these forests in early April 2024. Recertification of the state's 214,000 acres of certified forest is anticipated. Pocomoke State Forest and the Chesapeake Forest Lands, which are managed together as a combined forest, follow carefully prepared forest management plans that strive to improve or maintain biodiversity for a variety of ecological benefits.
For questions or comments, you can contact the forest office located at 6572 Snow Hill Road, Snow Hill, MD 21863 at: 410-632-3732 or visit the two forest's web pages for more information:
Pocomoke State Forest
Chesapeake Forest Lands
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We are excited to announce that we will be returning to Salisbury University on August 13th for our 2024 Annual Meeting! Many thanks to SU for graciously hosting us again this year. DRCN members are invited to attend and are encouraged to share this invitation with other relevant practitioners, stakeholders, and governmental leadership.
The steering committee has begun planning discussions and will be utilizing the valuable feedback from last year's post-meeting survey. More information to come about meeting content and registration. Look forward to seeing you all there!
For more information, reach out to the DRCN Coordinator or Chair.
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Trainings, Workshops and Conferences | | |
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Discover Your Watershed Volunteer Herp Survey
This Weekend!
Join the Maryland Coastal Bays Program for our May 2024 Discover Your Watershed (DYW) volunteer event at Ilia Fehrer Nature Preserve (Location of event: 38.31239, -75.15913) on Saturday, May 4th from 9 - 1PM! Come join us for a fun day looking for amphibian and reptile (herp) species! MCBP will be conducting a scientific survey to learn more about the herps that inhabit our watershed.
Register Here!
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2024 Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale Saturday
The Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale features “feet-wet, hands-dirty fun,” outdoor recreation and educational opportunities, multiple exhibits, food trucks, and a native plant sale. Throughout the event, there will be a series of short talks on diverse topics such as diamondback terrapins, invasive species, coastal ecology, plants and more. There will also be fun family activities including horseshoe crab tagging, fish seining, bird identification, and a guided walk through the Preserve’s trails.
Learn More
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Disappearing Islands:
The Turning Point
Islands serve as critical habitat to numerous iconic species found in the Maryland Coastal Bays. May 10th, join the Maryland Coastal Bays Program for a the first presentation, in a series, that will dive deeper into the history of island loss, the iconic species that depend on them, and ways we are working to combat this issue.
Learn More
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Creating a Flood Ready Community
Learn how the flood risks to Delaware communities can be addressed and mitigated. This course covers basic risk and hazard concepts; Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mapping; the Delaware flood insurance program; tools to prevent hazards in a cost-effective manner; and strategies for reducing exposure. Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Learn More
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Eastern Shore Land Conservancy Annual LandJam
On Saturday, May 11th, from 1pm to 4pm, at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy will host LandJam – our annual family-friendly gathering to celebrate the land of our beautiful, bountiful Eastern Shore! Register early for discounted tickets.
Register Here
Enter raffle for PRS electric guitar!
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Sustainable Growth for the Eastern Shore: The Balance of Housing, Transportation, and Land Use
Tuesday May 14th, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy invites you to attend our Sustainable Growth Workshop. As our region grapples with the ongoing housing crisis, transportation cuts, and the impacts of climate change, this workshop aims to tackle these challenges and how they are interrelated. The workshop will include discussions on the intersection of housing and transportation, comprehensive plan and zoning updates, adaptation to climate and market forces, and the barriers preventing our communities from growing sustainably and equitably. We are at capacity for in-person attendance. Register below to attend virtually.
Register Here
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Watershed Game Workshop
The Watershed Game is an active, hands-on simulation that helps participants understand the relationships between land use, water quality, flood resilience, and their community. Join us May 15th in Wilmington, DE to learn how to use the Watershed Game in your programs!
Learn More
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Bay Day at Ocean Pines
Bay Day is back! Come out to White Horse Park in Ocean Pines on Sunday, May 19th to learn how you can make a difference in your own backyard. This fun-filled educational day is hosted by the Maryland Coastal Bays Program and the Ocean Pines Association. We will have something for everyone, hands-on educational activities at every booth, live music, food trucks, free boat rides on the St. Martin, and more! And the Exploration Station is back for another year so you can explore what projects MCBP and our partners are currently working on!
Learn More
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Bay Banter & Brews
Join us at Ocean View Brewing on May 22nd from 3-5PM for Bay Banter & Brews – Ospreys! Hear all about this majestic species from Center volunteer and osprey expert Jodi McLaughlin, who has dedicated countless hours to helping ospreys thrive in our Inland Bays watershed. The talk will also highlight the Participatory Science Program which is an integral part of the Center.
Price: $15 Donation (Includes beer & snack)
Learn More
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ESLC Announces Bird Conservation Series 2024
Please join Eastern Shore Land Conservancy for our 2024 conservation-focused birding walks, part of the 3rd Annual Bird Conservation Series: a partnership with Lower Shore Land Trust. These events will discuss the organizations, programs, resources, research, and efforts that exist on the Eastern Shore that support the conservation of our resident and migratory bird species. Please join us as we tour the shore through the lens of bird conservation!
Learn More
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ESLC Conservation Classic
On Thursday, June 13, 2024, we will be hosting the second annual Conservation Classic, a sporting clays event at the Point at Pintail in Queenstown. 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.
Register Here
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Virtual Workshop: Planning Effective Projects for Coastal Communities
In this highly interactive workshop, presented by the NOAA Office for Coastal Management, you will start with your project idea and learn how to design a project that reaches the right audience, has the intended impact and achieves measurable results. June 25, 2024.
Learn More
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RAE Coastal & Estuarine Summit
Join Restore America’s Estuaries for the 2024 Coastal & Estuarine Summit, the premier event for coastal restoration policymakers, practitioners, and managers in the United States. Taking place in Washington, D.C. in October 2024, our next Summit promises to be our largest yet, with an anticipated 1,400 attendees from around the country and abroad.
Register Here
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Recommended Reads (& this week a video!) | | |
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DNREC Launches Online Flood Planning Tool
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Climate, Coastal, and Energy and Division of Watershed Stewardship have launched I-ADAPT, the Individual Adaptation Decision And Planning Tool, to help Delawareans become more resilient to climate hazards.
Read Here
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Against the Current | PBS Special
“Against the Current” provides a powerful glimpse of how Virginia’s Eastern Shore residents are subject to the challenges of rising water’s effects on their lives and livelihood. Through resilience and perseverance, they learn to co-exist and celebrate their rural home. How can this unique community shed light on the national conversations happening around these climate issues?
Watch Here
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Port Isobel Environmental Education Program Manager/Educator - Chesapeake Bay Foundation (Tangier, VA)
Port Isobel Environmental Education Program Assitant Manager/Educator - Chesapeake Bay Foundation (Tangier, VA)
Smith Island Environmental Education Program Assitant Manager/Educator - Chesapeake Bay Foundation (Tylerton, MD)
Shellfish Project Specialist - Delaware Center for the Inland Bays (Rehoboth, DE)
Virginia Pinelands Burn Boss & Land Steward - The Nature Conservancy (Wakefield, VA)
Migratory Game Bird Habitat Biologist - MD DNR, Wildlife and Heritage Service (Dorchester County, Maryland)
Land Management Technician - MD DNR, Wildlife and Heritage Service (Kent County, Maryland)
Urban Waters Program Manager - Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (Wilmington, DE)
Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (Multiple Positions) - DNREC/Div. of Climate, Coastal & Energy, Coastal (Multiple Locations)
Brandywine Creek State Park (Multiple Positions) - DNREC/Division of Parks and Recreation-BCSP (Wilmington, DE)
Cape Henlopen State Park (Multiple Positions) - DNREC/Division of Parks and Recreation-BCSP (Lewes, DE)
Delaware Seashore State Park (Multiple Seasonal Positions) - Delaware Seashore State Park (Rehoboth, DE)
Environmental Specialist II (Climate Change Policy Specialist) - DNREC/Climate, Coastal & Energy (Dover, DE)
Conservation Technician I (Shoreline & Waterway Mgt) - DNREC/Watershed Stewardship (Lewes, DE)
Conservation Technician III (Wildlife) - DNREC/Division of Fish and Wildlife (Dover, Delaware)
Tenure Track Faculty Positions in Estuarine and Marine Science - Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (Cambridge, MD)
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About the Delmarva Restoration and Conservation Network (DRCN) | |
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The Delmarva Restoration and Conservation Network (DRCN), formed in 2017, is a collaborative of local, state, and Federal government agencies and NGOs working with private and public landowners and local governments to identify the most important places to protect and restore, and to obtain support and funding for voluntary restoration and conservation.
The DRCN Mission is to restore and conserve Delmarva’s landscapes, waterways, and shorelines that are special to its people, fundamental to its economy, and vital for its native fish, wildlife, and plants.
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Want to be featured in next month's newsletter?
Email submissions to delmarvarcn@gmail.com
| Delmarva Restoration & Conservation Network | delmarvarcn.org | | | | |
