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Eastern screech owl captured in a wood duck nest box in DWL's Augustine Creek Complex.
(Photo Credit: Delaware Wild Lands, Inc (DWL))
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Upcoming Meetings
Steering Committee Meeting
Thursday, April 9th, 2026, 3:00 PM
2026 Events Schedule
| | DRCN & DAPP Forum Meeting | |
Our network (DRCN) is teaming up with the Delmarva Alliance for Adaptation Practitioners (DAAP) to host an in-person forum meeting on April 21st, 10 AM - 3 PM at Salisbury University.
Currently, we are looking for people interested in attending and participating as either a:
- Lightening Talk speaker (5-7 minutes) - can discuss a current project, a specific aspect of a project, or research relevant challenges facing Delmarva
- Forum Panelist - The theme for the forum is "Resilient Collaboration" and aims to touch on leveraging partnerships that incorporate a diverse project team utilizing a variety of funding sources, collaborative approaches, and partnership agreements.
- Breakout Session Leaders - These are intended to be focused discussions to facilitate collaboration and input for ongoing and new projects or emerging initiatives that would benefit from support and new partnerships.
If you are interested in participating/presenting, please reach out to
Kayle Krieg (kayle@umd.edu).
| | | City of Salisbury's New Native Habitat Program Blooms | |
The City of Salisbury’s Sustainability Advisory Committee, known as the Green Team, has received a $20,000 grant to expand pollinator habitat efforts within city limits.
The funding will support a coordinated initiative to increase public education, engagement and visibility of pollinator demonstration sites across our region.
Pollinators such as bees and butterflies are essential to healthy ecosystems and food production, yet their populations are declining. The project aims to reverse that trend locally by creating additional native pollinator gardens and meadows on city-owned, business-owned and residential properties. These sites will be tracked through a revitalized Lower Shore Pollinator Habitat Certified program, encouraging widespread participation and stewardship
More Info | Contact Elise Trelegan (etrelegan@gmail.com)
| | | Funding Opportunities & RFPs | | Natural Lands Project Habitat Opportunity | |
(Photo credit: Kathy Thornton, Natural Lands Project. Photo of native pollinator meadow is in its third growing year with blooming tall white beardtongue, lanceleaf coreopsis, and butterfly milkweed in May and June.)
The Natural Lands Project is celebrating 10 years of creating early successional habitat to benefit wildlife, including the Northern Bobwhite, and improve water quality on Maryland's Eastern Shore. We are fortunate to have recently received funding (in partnership with ESLC and ShoreRivers) from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund to continue this work and we're looking for acres!
As practitioners and community organizations, we are asking you for help! If you know of landowners who live in Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot, Caroline, or Dorchester counties who are interested in converting crop land into habitat and have 15+ acres that are currently cropped, we'd love to talk with them. Our grant funding covers establishment costs and in return the habitat must be maintained by the landowner for 10 years. Our staff will be involved in every step of the way providing guidance for maintaining optimal early successional habitat.
If you know of someone who might be a good fit, please share our information or contact Dan Small (dsmall2@washcoll.edu) with any inquiries.
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Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund | |
Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund Proposals: OPEN
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FWS), is soliciting proposals through the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund (DWCF) 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. Major funding for the DWCF is provided by the FWS.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to reference NFWF’s Delaware River Watershed Business Plan and link NFWF Business Plan strategies and work in focal areas for priority species with Framework Strategic Program Areas whenever possible.
Full Proposal Due Date: Thursday, March 26th, 11:59PM (midnight)
Grant Amounts & Match: $75,000 to $1,500,000, with 1:1 non-federal match encouraged
Geographic Focus: Delaware River Watershed (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware)
Program Goals: Sustain and enhance fish and wildlife habitat | Improve and maintain water quality | Sustain and enhance water management | Improve outdoor recreational opportunities.
Proposal Lab Registration | RFP
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MD Native Plant Society 2026 Research Grants | |
Maryland Native Plant Society's 2026 Research Grants Applications: OPEN
Each year, MNPS allocates funds for empirical, hypothesis-driven research relevant to Maryland's native plants. Projects must concern Maryland native vascular plants, bryophytes, and/or their habitats. Projects may also concern the effects of invasive non-native plants on Maryland native plants.
Following these criteria, projects in a number of different fields and disciplines may be appropriate, for example: botany, ecology, genetics, education, environmental restoration, horticulture, and silviculture.
To ensure consideration, proposals should be submitted by March 30, 2026.
Learn More
| MD DNR: Roots for Resilience | |
Roots for Resilience is a new Initiative designed to help Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore adapt to the challenges of climate change by enhancing nature’s ability to store carbon and buffer climate impacts. Through tree planting, coastal habitat restoration, and community engagement, the Initiative strengthens our natural defenses while reducing carbon emissions.
- Deadline: April 6th, 2026.
Learn More
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Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense Grants Proposals: OPEN
NFWF, in partnership with FWS, is soliciting proposals through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund (CBSF) to advance voluntary actions to restore, conserve, and connect fish and wildlife habitat of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams.
Full Proposal Due Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026, 12:00PM (noon)
Grant Amounts & Match: $75,000 to $500,000, match requirements vary by project type
Geographic Focus: Chesapeake Bay Watershed (New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, Virginia)
Program Goals: Restore conserve and connect fish and wildlife habitat | Improve water quality for fish, wildlife and people | Align the power of nature to adapt to changing landscapes | Expand access to nature and outdoor recreation for all Americans | Build partnership capacity to collaborate and coordinate actions.
RFP
| VA Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Grant | |
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is seeking grant applications for cooperative waterfowl habitat improvement projects through the Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Grant Program (RFA 113205). Projects will be evaluated by a panel of wildlife professionals based on waterfowl habitat benefits, site characteristics, project planning, social concerns, and other wildlife considerations. Applications may only be submitted by appropriate nonprofit organizations in accordance with the Code of Virginia § 29.1-339.2. This grant has an Award Ceiling of up to $100,000 with a minimum 1:1 match requirement. Match may be in the form of cash or in-kind compensation. Please see the attached RFA document for more information.
Applicants must be registered in eVA to apply. To register in eVA, go to https://eva.virginia.gov/register-now.html. If your organization is already registered in eVA, you are strongly encouraged to login to eVA to verify your eVA registration status is active and your account information is correct before you submit your application response.
In order to be considered for selection, applicants must submit a complete response to this RFA. One (1) original, so marked, and one (1) redacted copy if applicable (removing only proprietary information), so marked, shall be attached electronically as an Adobe PDF, using the Commonwealth’s electronic procurement system, eVA.
- Instructions for submitting a response electronically in eVA can be found here (https://eva.virginia.gov/supplier-training-materials.html)
- The official solicitation can be found here. (https://mvendor.cgieva.com/Vendor/public/AllOpportunities.jsp
- You can use the Advanced Search feature along the right side of the screen to find the listing by defining the Buying Entity as the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resource.
Applications are due by Friday April 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.
Request for Applications | Contact Ben Sagara (Ben.Sagara@dwr.virginia.gov)
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| | Events, Workshops and Conferences | | |
Blackwater NWR Annual Eagle Festival
Blackwater NWR Annual Eagle Festival at the refuge Visitor Center. Experience live eagle & other birds of prey programs, kid’s programs & activities, Eagle Prowls & Wildlife Drive tours, nature and conservation exhibits, and food all day!
- March 14, 2026, 9 AM - 4 PM
- No fee for Wildlife Drive!
Learn More | 410-228-2677
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LSLT Native Plant Sale
The 10th Annual Native Plant Sale is now live. This year marks a decade of connecting our community with native plants. Shop a curated selection of staff-picked plants chosen for Maryland habitats, perfect for creating beautiful gardens that support pollinators and local wildlife.
- Place Orders before April 26th!
- Pick Up May 1st & 2nd: 100 River St., Snow Hill, MD 21863
Shop Now
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Eastern Shore Sustainable Coffee Hour:
Community Asset Mapping
For our next event, we welcome Caroline Better Together, whose mission reflects that same belief. As part of the Local Management Board, this group works to connect residents to one another and to essential services throughout the county, helping close the long-standing gap between rural communities and the public agencies that serve them. Much of their work centers on the idea that asset mapping is not only about creating a visual record of community resources but also about strengthening human connections, helping neighbors find one another, and revealing opportunities for collective action.
- April 15th 10 - 11 AM
- Kennard African American Cultural Heritage (410 Little Kidwell Ave, Centreville, MD 21617)
Register Here
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19th Annual Oyster Roast Dinner
Save the date, April 18, 2026, for the 19th Annual Oyster Roast Dinner. Indulge on oysters, clams, dinner, full bar including Chatham wine, and dessert while enjoying a VES Land Trust held conservation easement. Proceeds benefit the Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust and its land preservation mission on the Eastern Shore.
Get Tickets
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Global Environmental History Since 1900:
The Great Acceleration & the Anthropocene
John McNeill, Georgetown University Distinguished University Professor
and past president of the American Historical Association, has written
six books, more than 130 articles and book chapters, and edited 12
volumes. Celebrate Earth Day as we seek to understand the unprecedented
environmental changes of the last 125 years – and where that leaves us as
we look ahead.
- Free & Open to the Public
- Wednesday, April 22, 7 PM
- Salisbury University, Guerrieri Academic Commons, Assembly Hall
Parking
- Visitors must register their vehicles through the parking portal to park on campus. Parking passes are free but required.
- Recommended Parking Lot B off US 13
Get Parking Pass Here
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Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale
The Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale, which started in 2019, is free and family-friendly. It features “feet-wet, hands-dirty fun,” outdoor recreation and educational opportunities, more than 35 exhibitors, food trucks, and a native plant sale
- May 2nd 10 AM - 2 PM
- James Farm Ecological Preserve (Ocean View, DE)
More Info
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Save the Date: LSLT Pollinator Garden Tour
Salisbury’s gardens set the stage for this year’s Pollinator Garden Tour. Stroll through a collection of private pollinator gardens, meet the people who bring them to life, and watch plein air artists capture the landscapes in real time. More details to come.
- June 6th, 2026 - Salisbury, MD
- Tickets Available Soon!
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What is Project Open Space?
For more than 50 years, Program Open Space has helped protect Maryland’s parks, forests, farms, and natural areas, ensuring every Marylander has access to green spaces that improve health, strengthen communities, support local food systems, and boost our economy.
Watch Here
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Exploring Polk Outpost: A walk through Buffalo Soldier History -
Conservation Conversations
To celebrate Black History Month (February), we remember brave locals who fought in the Civil War like Harriet Tubman and revolutionary leaders of the Civil Rights movement.
Listen Here
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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?
Submit to DRCN's Newsletter Form HERE
| Delmarva Restoration & Conservation Network | delmarvarcn.org | | | | |
