DRCN Annual Meeting Registration Open

Register today for the 2025 DRCN Annual Meeting!

Where? Salisbury University (Perdue Hall, 156).

When? Wednesday August 20th, 9:30am - 4:00pm.

Check-in will begin at 9:00 am. Meeting followed by a networking happy hour (3:00 - 4:00pm) sponsored by the Salisbury University Henson School of Science and Technology and Department of Environmental Studies.

What? During this year's meeting, members will participate in a "Visioning and Strategy Session" to refine the DRCN's mission, vision, and shared priorities.

This session is a critical step in the ongoing strategic planning process and will aid in the development of a 3-year Common Agenda to guide DRCN's course into the future.

Salisbury University Green Futures Program

Calling all environmental professionals!

The Green Futures Program (GFP) at Salisbury University connects college students to career pathways in the green economy-- areas like conservation, sustainability, environmental justice, and green business. Our goal is to build comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable pipelines for students into the green economy, offering them the tools, networks, and knowledge needed to succeed in a rapidly growing and diverse sector of our economy.

We're currently seeking regional environmental professionals who are willing to share their own career stories to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders. If you are interested in sharing your story through a conversational interview that we can host on our website, please email Lauren Imhof and Shane Hall at greenfutures@salisbury.edu. We're excited to hear about your experiences, the skills and training you use, and what motivates you through today's challenges and opportunities. 

Talbot County, Maryland Seeks Input on Comprehensive Plan

New Self-Guided Interpretive Trail at Nassawango Preserve

There's a new self-guided interpretive trail at The Nature Conservancy's Nassawango Preserve outside of Salisbury that takes hikers through all of the stages of forest succession.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz cut the ribbon on the trail and served as keynote speaker at the event on June 23rd, which highlighted the importance of forest markets and active forest management for the benefit of all Marylanders. A crowd of 40 people braved the heat to hear about the creation of the trail, the history of The Nature Conservancy's active management, and the importance of balance for the landscape.

The trail starts with a three year old clearcut harvest and ends at one of the state champion bald cypress trees in a group of trees that is over 200 years old. The interpretive trail signs explain the role of forest succession and benefits of forests at every age. The Nature Conservancy partnered with the Maryland Forest Service, Maryland Forests Association, Maryland Department of Commerce, Aurora Sustainable Lands, and Salisbury University to produce the interpretive trail at the preserve. Maryland State Sen. Mary Beth Carozza and Del. Charles J. Otto also attended the event.

The trail is open to the public; limited parking is available on Bear Swamp Road near the Wimbrow Family Cemetery. Please remember to be respectful of your surroundings and leave no trace when visiting.

Restoration and Resilience Committee Tours Poplar Island

Photos taken by Committee Co-chair Erin McNally, EA Engineering, Science, and Technology

Members of the DRCN Restoration and Resilience committee attended a tour of Poplar Island hosted by the Maryland Environmental Service (MES).

MES staff drove members of the committee around the island to showcase the massive island restoration, explaining the dredge management process and the beneficial reuse of materials for wetland and habitat restoration.

Learn More

Tuckahoe State Park BMP Workshop and Project Tour

Photos taken by Beth Sheppard - Shore Rivers field day with Beth Sheppard (LSLT), Whitley Gray (SR), Laura Wood (SR) and Dan Small (Washington College)

On June 18 Shore Rivers Restoration staff members Laura Wood and Whitley Gray hosted a BMP workshop and tour of Tuckahoe State Park. Dan Small, habitat ecologist from Washington College led a presentation on managing invasive species in meadows and grass buffers. Shore Rivers' Senior Environmental Engineer Will Ryall led a discussion of wetland maintenance as the group of landowners, restoration partners and staff visited examples of habitat work installed at Tuckahoe State Park. 

DNREC Surface Water Matching Planning Grants

Delaware county and municipal governments, conservation districts, and estuary programs can now submit proposals to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to receive matching grants for their surface water project planning.

Eligible projects include planning, preliminary engineering, and feasibility analysis of surface water projects; stormwater retrofits; green technology practices; stream and wetland restoration projects; small watershed studies; master plans for surface water and drainage projects; and other source water pollution control projects. Grant applications of up to $50,000 will be considered with a one-to-one cash match requirement.

Proposals must be received by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.

Learn More

Delaware Coastal Resilience Road Map

Developed over the course of two years, TNC’s Coastal Resilience Roadmap is a guide to a healthy future for the Bayshore. It outlines strategies for residents, conservation practitioners and agencies to implement in order to support a more sustainable future for the First State’s coastal habitats and communities.

Read Here

Maryland Eastern Shore Trail Network

Over the past two years, ESLC has been proud to partner with the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program to lay the foundation for a transformative regional initiative: the Maryland Eastern Shore Trail Network (MESTN). 

Read Here