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In This Issue
- Network Updates
- Incase You Missed It
- Upcoming Meetings
- Trainings, Workshops, & Conferences
- Recommended Reads
- Funding Opportunities
- Jobs & Internships
- About the DRCN
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Updates from the Marshes for Tomorrow Community Engagement Team: Round One of Community Outreach Meetings Complete! |  | |
As you may have seen in our previous newsletters, DRCN hosts the Marshes for Tomorrow (MfT) initiative: an ambitious project aiming to identify 25,000 acres of the most important tidal salt marsh habitat in Maryland for saltmarsh sparrow (Ammodramous caudacutus) with the ultimate goal of protecting and restoring these important tidal salt marshes. The project is being spearheaded by Audubon mid-Atlantic, and is being executed with the help of many DRCN partners. The areas of interest for this project are the extensive tidal salt marshes of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland from the Blackwater and Fishing Bay regions of Dorchester County to the Coastal Bays of Worcester County.
An important component of the MfT initiative is community engagement and incorporation of community interest into prioritization and planning. In January, an initial round of community meetings were hosted by the MfT Community Engagement Team in three locations throughout the project area: Princess Anne, Berlin, and Church Creek Maryland. An additional meeting in Pocomoke City was canceled due to weather. The community meetings provided background on the project, enaged attendees in a mapping excersize to caputure local knowledge, and provided further distribution of the Maryland Eastern Shore Marsh Use Survey developed by the group last year.
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The first round of events reached 27 community members and the survey has recieved over 80 responses so far! The MfT Community Engagement Team appreciates your help in continuing to circulate the survey. A second round of community engagement meetings will be hosted later this year!
Visit https://www.delmarvarcn.org/marshesfortomorrow or email marshes4tomorrow@gmail.com to learn more.
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FEMA and MDEM Highlight Crisfield, MD's Commitment to Reducing Flood Risk with Tour during "Year of Resilience" |  | |
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Senior Officials Victoria Salinas and MaryAnn Tierney and Maryland Department of Emergency Management Secretary Russ Strickland visited Crisfield, Maryland on Monday to learn how the city is working with county, state, nonprofit, academic and federal partners to reduce their flood risk through FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)- Direct Technical Assistance (DTA) program. With its location along the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the city experiences flooding regularly and has been working for years to address it.
The BRIC-DTA program provides non-financial, tailored support to communities and Tribal nations through a range of activities over a period of up to 3 years. In the past year, FEMA has worked with city leadership, state and local partners to develop a mitigation strategy that Crisfield can implement. The plan includes infrastructure improvements that will reduce flood risk from storm surge, tidal and fluvial flooding and will also give the city additional protection and allow floodwaters to recede quicker. The plan also includes nature-based solutions that will mimic natural wetlands. FEMA is also supporting Crisfield’s efforts to engage residents and stakeholders about this project to ensure an equitable and favorable solution to the city’s flooding.
Read Full Press Release
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Volunteers needed: Plant Atlantic White Cedar trees and perform site maintenance at Nassawango Creek Preserve on Maryland’s Eastern Shore! |  | |
Join the National Aquarium’s Conservation team—in partnership with The Nature Conservancy—to plant Atlantic white cedar trees, a vulnerable species, and help perform site maintenance at Nassawango Creek Preserve. This 15-square-mile preserve on Maryland’s Eastern Shore includes wetland and upland habitat and is home to 60 species of migratory birds and various rare plant species. This planting is part of an ongoing restoration effort through the National Aquarium's Atlantic White Cedar Program.
Please Note:
- Participants must be at least 10 years old.
- All volunteers under 18 must be supervised by an adult.
- This event is rain or shine, so please dress for the weather.
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One completed online registration form must be submitted for each participant.
Please contact conserve@aqua.org or 410-659-4249 if you have questions or would like additional details.
Learn More
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Incase you missed it....
Town and Urban Operating Committee Meeting (virtual)
January 9th, 1:00-2:30pm (Meeting Notes)
For more information contact chair: Owen Bailey obailey@eslc.org
Restoration and Resilience Committee Meeting (virtual)
February 13, 2:00 - 3:00 pm (Meeting Notes)
David Curson david.curson@audubon.org
Erik Meyers emeyers@conservationfund.org
Steering Committee Meeting (virtual)
February 20, 1:00 - 2:00 pm (Meeting Notes)
For more information please contact Chair
Steve Kline skline@eslc.org
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Trainings, Workshops and Conferences | | |
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Back to the Future: Chronicling the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Effort
At this critical juncture in our work for clean water throughout the Bay watershed, the Coalition is planning a three-part webinar series on the history of the Bay restoration effort, the role of the Chesapeake Bay Program, and how the TMDL and Chesapeake Bay Agreement connect to the upcoming 2025 deadline.
Register Here
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Parks Plans Wind Transmission Line Informational Event
DNREC will host a public event on March 12 at Bethany Beach Town Hall about US Wind's proposal to bring power lines from its offshore wind project ashore at 3Rs Beach in Delaware Seashore State Park. The meeting is to inform residents about the potential lease to allow the underground cables at 3Rs, including the construction plan and what will be visible to park users after construction.
Learn More
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Winter Lecture Series: Tread Lightly: Responsible Outdoor Recreation in the Inland Bays
The final session of the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays’ 3-part Winter Lecture Series, “Tread Lightly: Responsible Outdoor Recreation in the Inland Bays” will take place on March 21, 2024 from 5-7 PM. From fishing and clamming to boating to wildlife viewing, join us to learn about the importance of and ways to reduce your impacts while enjoying the many benefits that the Inland Bays offers to both residents and visitors alike.
Learn More
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Marsh Monitoring with Drones:
An Introduction
Unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS), such as drones and other remote sensing technologies, offer exciting opportunities to view and monitor ecosystems, including tidal wetlands. But site and software access, flight customization, and expenses can make it difficult for fledgling flight missions to get off the ground. This webinar will highlight regional drone marsh monitoring work across four sites and share our speakers' experiences of the benefits and practicalities of using drones in their research.
Join Maryland Sea Grant Mar 26 at 01:00 PM to learn about the challenges and opportunities that come with using drones in wetland research, ask questions of some experts, and to get to know who is doing what with drones on our Chesapeake Bay coasts!
Register Here
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VES Oyster Roast
Join VES Land Trust for the 17th Annual Oyster Roast Dinner April 13, 2024. Indulge on oysters, clams, dinner, full bar including Chatham wine, and dessert while enjoying beautiful Green Valley, a VES Land Trust held conservation easement. Proceeds benefit the Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust and its land preservation mission on Virginia's Eastern Shore.
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NWA Pollinator Workshop and Plant Sale
Register for the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance spring pollinator workshop, “Native Plants and Trees for the Butterflies, Birds, and Bees", which will be held on Saturday, April 27 from 11A-1P at the Laurel Public Library. This is a free event!
You may also pre-order plant packs, while supplies last.
Register Here
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Lower Shore Land Trust 17th
Annual Native Plant Sale!
Lower Shore Land Trust is proud to present our 17th Annual Native Plant Sale! Plant pickup will be May 3rd & 4th at the Land Trust office at 100 River Street in Snow Hill. We have curated a treasure trove of native plants, trees and shrubs ready to find their forever homes in your garden, and to reap the rewards of visits from beautiful pollinators. Start shopping at: www.lowershorelandtrust.org!
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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 be holding LandJam – our annual family-friendly gathering to celebrate the land of our beautiful, bountiful Eastern Shore!
Register Here
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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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Delmarva Alliance of Adaptation Practitioners
(DAAP) 2024 Annual Forum
The Delmarva Alliance of Adaptation Practitioners (DAAP) Annual Forum will be held on May 22, 2024 at Salisbury University. 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. Registration must be completed by May 8, 2024.
Register Here
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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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Virginia Lawmakers Show
Historic Support for Critical
Environmental Issues
Virginia state lawmakers marked the midpoint of their 60-day legislative session on February 13 with historic support for environmental issues.
Read Here
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Leave It to Beavers: Keystone Species Provides Nature-based Restoration!
The North American beaver was once ubiquitous throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Mostly trapped out by the close of the 19th century, beavers have been making somewhat of a comeback, and that is great news for Chesapeake Bay. (Article originally appeared in Vol. 23, No. 4 of the Maryland Natural Resource magazine; reprinted with permission of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources)
Read Here
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UD’s Climate Hub aids Delaware’s efforts to mitigate extreme heat
A team of researchers from the University of Delaware’s Gerard J. Mangone Climate Change Science and Policy Hub, UD’s Center for Environmental Monitoring and Analysis (CEMA) and DNREC is mapping heat in Wilmington, Delaware.
Read Article
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Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants (SWG) | |
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partnership, is soliciting proposals through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund to protect and restore water quality and habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams. Projects should promote voluntary, community-based efforts to protect and restore the diverse and vital habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams.
Deadline: April 3, 2024
Learn More
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Chesapeake WILD is a competitive grant program that responds to a partner-identified need for coordinated action to restore, conserve, and protect a resilient and connected landscape of healthy lands and waters across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Funding awards support projects to address 5 interrelated program pillars or priority areas:
- Fish and Wildlife Habitat
- Clean Water
- Climate Change Resilience
- Public Access
- Community Partnership
2 type of grant awards are available: WILD Implementation grants of $75,000-$750,000 and WILD Planning and Technical Assistance grants up to $75,000.
Deadline: April 10, 2024
Learn More
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The Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund was launched in 2018 to conserve and restore natural areas, corridors and waterways on public and private lands that support native fish, wildlife and plants, and to contribute to the vitality of the communities in the Delaware River watershed. Priority strategies for on-the-ground implementation include:
- sustaining and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat
- improving and maintaining water quality for fish, wildlife and people
- sustaining and enhancing water management to benefit fish and wildlife
- improving outdoor recreational opportunities within the Delaware River watershed
Deadline: March 21, 2024
Learn More
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Jobs
Virginia Pinelands Burn Boss & Land Steward - The Nature Conservancy (Wakefield, VA)
Willet Technician - The Nature Conservancy (Nassawadox, 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)
Program Manager - Wicomico Environmental Trust (Salisbury, Maryland)
Executive Director - Delaware Center for Horticulture (Wilmington, Delaware)
Engagement Assistant Coordinator - 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)
Chesapeake Bay Program's Water Quality Goal Team Staffer - Chesapeake Research Consortium (Annapolis, Maryland)
Deputy Finance Director - ShoreRivers (Easton, Maryland)
Internships & Fellowships
Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps - Multiple organizations (Multiple locations)
Marine Science Summer Camp Counselor - Chincoteague Bay Field Station (Wattsville, Virginia)
Environmental Education Intern - Delaware Center for the Inland Bays (Rehoboth, DE)
Masonville Cove Links Internship Program - Masonville Cove Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership (Baltimore, MD)
Environmental Advocacy Fellowship - Virginia Conservation Network
Hiring? Email us the job posting
for inclusion in next month's newsletter!
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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 | | | | |
