Prescribed burn to enhance Bobwhite Quail habitat, New Castle, DE. (credit: Hannah Small) | |
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Upcoming Meetings
Winter Steering Committee Meeting (virtual)
Thursday, February 27, 2025 (11:00am - 12:00pm)
For more information contact Chair, Steve Kline (skline@eslc.org)
or Co-chair Michelle Koenig (mkoenig@inlandbays.org)
Winter All-Network Meeting (virtual)
March 27th, 2025 (11:00am - 12:30pm)
Join via Microsoft Teams
Annual All-Network Meeting
Wednesday August 20, 2025 (Salisbury University)
Registration information to come!
See Scheduled 2025 Events Here
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Maryland Forest Service Outreach with Local 4-H Group | | |
(photo credit: Maryland Forest Service/Matthew Hurd) | |
On November 8, 2024, the Maryland Forest Service and members of a local 4-H group had a constructive field tour and meeting at Pocomoke State Forest. The purpose and focus of the tour were to show and discuss sustainable forestry practices, prescribed burning, wildland fire, and ecological habitat restoration to children, young adults, and their parents.
Most of the forest that was shown during the tour had been managed using prescribed fire, so a conversation about prescribed fire and how that can be used as a tool for forest management and fuels reduction also provided an opportunity to demonstrate basic wildland firefighting equipment and tools. Sites that were visited included a recent harvest within the past 4 years, the residual buffer forest that had been retained, an area that had been managed for over 20 years as early successional habitat, and a recently thinned loblolly pine stand. Despite the apparent differences in ages and species composition, these stands had all been managed to improve and create favorable habitat for a globally rare butterfly species that only occurs in early successional and disturbed habitats. Harvesting of the pine and frequent prescribed burns are critical to creating and maintaining this habitat.
The educational value of physically and visually observing how forests look, regenerate, and recover following harvests and prescribed burns is extremely valuable for outreach. We used this opportunity to identify various tree species and explain why those tree species were retained or harvested. In addition, various challenges that are encountered, including managing natural regeneration and encroachment of unwanted herbaceous species and managing for different user groups were discussed.
Both the 4-H group and the public expressed concerns about safety and future trail conditions because the sites are adjacent to heavily used recreational trails. We explained that trails are temporarily closed during harvests and reopened only after they are rehabilitated and deemed safe to use. In addition, all the roads and trails we had been walking on during the tour had been previously used as forest harvest haul roads and fire breaks.
The MD Forest Service welcomes all visitors to the State Forests. Any groups interested in learning more or scheduling a field tour, please reach out to Alexander Clark, Forest Manager for Chesapeake and Pocomoke State Forest, at 410-632-3732 or alexander.clark@maryland.gov.
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Audubon Society's Mid-Atlantic Coasts Team is expanding! | | |
(photo credit: Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program) | |
The Audubon Society's Mid-Atlantic Coasts Team is looking for a Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps member. The Corps provides young professionals with experience, leadership and professional development training, mentorship, and a support network with other young environmentalists. It also supports a full-time member with a one-year term of stipend-supported service in the environmental field. (August 19, 2025 to August 18, 2026)
To learn more and apply Click Here or reach out to Hen Bellman: henrietta.bellman@audubon.org.
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Environmental Literacy Plan (ELP) for Worcester County Public Schools | | |
(photo credit: Maryland Coastal Bays Program) | |
As the new Environmental Literacy Specialist for Maryland Coastal Bays Program, Andrea García is working with Worcester County Public Schools to write their Environmental Literacy Plan (ELP). This document will outline the District’s environmental literacy goals, performance indicators, and implementation plans that ensure we meet the requirements of the Maryland State Department of Education’s (MSDE) Environmental Literacy Standards. A key piece of the ELP is identifying community partners with interest and capacity to assist the District, school administration, and teachers in accomplishing their environmental literacy goals.
What is Environmental Literacy? Environmental Literacy is having the knowledge, skills, and disposition to address environmental issues taking place on local, regional, and global scales. This includes the ability to identify relationships between cultural, political, scientific, and economic systems that create and sustain environmental phenomena. Students will engage in interdisciplinary, project-based learning where they identify environmental challenges in Worcester County, and work collaboratively to find their solutions.
This ELP will:
- Outline opportunities for environmental literacy for students across all disciplines throughout their K-12 career
- Include long-term professional development opportunities for WCPS staff
- Identify non-formal educators and community partners that will support environmental literacy programming
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Include one Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) in elementary, middle, and high school
- Connect to state and district priorities (Maryland Blueprint, Maryland Outdoor Learning Partnership, etc.)
The ELP is mandated by the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, which requires each participating jurisdiction in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to “develop a comprehensive and systemic approach to environmental literacy for all students…that enable every student in the region to graduate with the knowledge and skills to act responsibly to protect and restore their local watershed[s].”
Community partners who are interested in supporting WCPS in this initiative, whether it be as a subject-matter expert for teachers and students, facilitating teacher Professional Development opportunities, acting as a host-site or facilitator for MWEE’s, provide educational programs, etc., please email Andrea at agarcia@mdcoastalbays.org. Thank you!
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Funding Opportunities & RFPs | |
Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) Releases RFP for MCBP Mini Grant Program and Research Grant programs | | |
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Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) is excited to release the Request for Proposals for the MCBP Mini Grant Program and the MCBP Research Grant program on January 21st. The Mini Grant Program seeks to support watershed-based community, science, and educational initiatives in Worcester County that align with Maryland Coastal Bays Program’s Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP) action items. The Research Grant Program grants are being offered to MCBP’s partners to assist in responding to the implementation of actions outlined in the Maryland Coastal Bays Program CCMP. The CCMP can be found on Maryland Coastal Bays Program’s website.
Visit https://mdcoastalbays.org/funding-opportunities/
Contact Ellen Turnbaugh (eturnbaugh@mdcoastalbays.org) with questions
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Events, Workshops and Conferences | | |
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Volunteer Planting Day
Please join ESLC, the Natural Lands Project, and the Friends of Oxford Conservation Park for a volunteer tree planting as we continue to grow and improve the trails and natural spaces of Oxford Conservation Park in Talbot County, Maryland. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for fieldwork, including sturdy boots and a pair of gloves.
Register Here
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Sustainable Eastern Shore Coffee Hour
Join us for the second Sustainable Eastern Shore Coffee Hour! Stake- holders from local governments, state agencies, nonprofits, and other regional organizations will convene to build partnerships and promote data and resources available to address regional issues. This event (originally in February) was postponed due to weather. Stay tuned for updates!
Register for Free
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Maryland Coastal Bays Program
Trivia Night Fundraiser
Please join the Maryland Coastal Bays Program for a fun Trivia Night at Seacrets in Ocean City, Maryland. The event will take place on Thursday, February 27th. Doors open at 5:15, and trivia begins at 6:00! There will be food and drinks for purchase, along with raffles and auctions!
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Northern Bobwhite Quail and Managing Land for Wildlife Webinar
Quail Forever Biologists from Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia will host an Bobwhite Quail Webinar Tuesday, March 4th 6:00p-7:30p.
Please share with landowners who may be interested in learning more about bobwhite quail habitat, history, habitat management practices, financial assistance, and more!
Learn More
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Wildlife Habitat Workshop and Luncheon | |
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When was the last time you heard about a bobwhite quail? Wednesday, March 5th 10:00a-1:00p, Quail Forever and Tall Timbers are hosting a community gathering to discuss how we can bring back this iconic bird and other declining wildlife.
Register Here
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Introduction to Living Shorelines Training 2025
The Delaware Living Shorelines Committee is hosting an Introduction to Living Shorelines Training on March 25-26, 2025 in Lewes, Delaware. This in-depth, 2-day training is for those interested in an introduction to the process and components of living shorelines in Delaware. It is open to scientists, engineers, landscape professionals, government entities, marine contractors and students who want to take the first steps in understanding shoreline processes and developing natural shoreline stabilization solutions. The in-person event boasts multiple instructors that are from: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, private consulting firms, and non-profit organizations. Presentations, field visits, talking with experts and more – join in on this green infrastructure training.
Attending both days of the training is required, coffee/lunch/snacks and training binder are included. Registration is $35. Please reach out to olivia.allread@delaware.gov with questions or general information.
Register Here
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Prescribed Fire
Implementation Workshop
Held at the scenic Point Pleasant Farm March 27th, this workshop will teach landowners and land managers how to plan and implement a prescribed burn for wildlife. Instructors will discuss reasons to burn, fire behavior, equipment, and planning followed by a live demonstration where interested attendees can gain hands-on experience. If cost is a barrier, please reach out to lukemac@umd.edu—everyone is welcome, regardless of ability to pay.
Register Here
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Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust Annual Oyster Roast
VES Land Trust is hosting the 18th Annual Oyster Roast Dinner April 12, 2025. Indulge on oysters, clams, dinner, full bar including Chatham wine, and dessert while enjoying the historic folly near Accomac, VA. Proceeds benefit the Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust and its land preservation mission.
Get Tickets Here
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Save the Date: Annual Delmarva Alliance of
Adaptation Practitioners (DAAP) Forum
Join us for the 2025 Delmarva Alliance of Adaptation Practitioners (DAAP) Annual Forum on Friday, April 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Salisbury University. Information on free registration is coming soon. Please save the date on your calendar. Contact Jessica.McIntosh@noaa.gov with questions.
The Delmarva Alliance of Adaptation Practitioners (DAAP) provides opportunities for practitioners working with rural communities in Delmarva to share existing approaches, build off current knowledge and expertise, discuss common challenges, explore potential solutions, and identify cooperative actions that enhance individual efforts. This year’s forum is graciously sponsored by the Bosserman Center for Conflict Resolution of Salisbury University.
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
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Bluebird Boxes
"As recently as the mid-1960’s, bluebirds were in serious trouble." - Learn how artificial bluebird boxes aided their comeback below!
Read Here
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Delaware’s 2025 Downstate Pond Trout Season
Delaware's downstate pond season kicks off with a youth-only day on March 1st before opening up to all anglers the next day.
Read Here
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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 | | | | |
