|
|
"The Lower Shore Land Trust is a nationally accredited nonprofit organization that is dedicated to preserving rural lands, to promoting vibrant towns, and to building a healthier and more connected Eastern Shore." |
|
Field File:
A News & Events Bulletin from Field Notes: for Land Managers,
Farmers, Hunters, and Naturalists
August 23, 2021
|
|
Is your property in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Are you interested in other options for unproductive marginal lands? Does you property contain or border ditches and waterways? LSLT can assist you in evaluating options to improve habitat for quail and other wildlife.
If either of the descriptions below are relevant to you, we want to hear from you!
|
|
Riparian Areas: areas adjacent to waterways (riparian) that can be converted to forested buffers, for example areas that are underperforming or wet agricultural land, areas with little space between agriculture fields and streams, and areas where existing forest buffers are narrow or interrupted by open spaces.
|
|
Ben Longstaff, Integration and Application Network (ian.umces.edu/media-library) |
|
Desire to create more pollinator habitat: Pollinator habitat can be installed in areas from narrow strips within fields to encourage and improve crop pollination and productivity, to edge of field areas that are underproducing, to entire fields to support pollinators and other wildlife such as bobwhite quail.
Lower Shore Land Trust (LSLT), in partnership with National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, is helping landowners who wish to evaluate their lands for available cost share programs and innovative funding options for best management practices (e.g. CRP/CREP, WRE, MD Buffer Program, County Forest Conservation, Wetland Mitigation).
Please contact Jared Parks at jparks@lowershorelandtrust.org for more information.
|
|
Announcing LSLT's 2021 Stephen Parker Legacy Award |
|
The Lower Shore Land Trust (LSLT) is seeking nominations for the 2021 Stephen N. Parker Conservation Legacy Award which will be presented on November 13th at the Flannel Formal event. The Parker Award is given in honor of renowned conservationist Stephen Parker (pictured right) to recognize an individual and/or organization that has displayed an enduring and distinct dedication to conserving the vital lands of the Lower Eastern Shore.
Nominations submissions are greatly encouraged and can be made to info@lowershorelandtrust.org
DEADLINE - Please submit by Friday, October 15, 2021.
Award Criteria
An individual or organization who has:
- Displayed exceptional efforts to permanently conserve large tracks of Eastern Shore Land;
- Shown a unique love and dedication to supporting the Delmarva way of life;
- Shown a special understanding of the flora and fauna that exist on Delmarva;
- Displayed immense understanding of community; and who has
- Shown positive contributions to impacting the community's economy, health, and/or overall well-being
|
|
Above: Buddy Jenkins receives his award in 2019. Should probably read From Left: Hugh Cropper, IV LSLT Board Chairman, Lisa Challenger (Steve Parker’s wife), Charles “Buddy“ Jenkins receiving award, Kate Patton, LSLT Executive Director. |
|
Soil Health Stewards Program: Promoting Health on Protected Agricultural Lands
Lower Shore Land Trust has graciously been awarded a $10,000 Soil Health Stewards Program Grant by American Farmland Trust.
The American Farmland Trust is providing unique learning opportunities and support for staff of land conservation organizations and public Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) programs from across the nation. Lower Shore Land Trust staff will learn about the economic and environmental benefits of soil health practices and the science behind them while building skills to support farmers, ranchers, and landowners in adopting these practices.
Healthy soils are the foundation of productive farmland and farm viability. Healthy soils can improve both on-farm productivity and environmental health by preventing the loss of soil and nutrients to our waterways, protecting water quality and water availability, and restoring soil biology and function.
|
|
Blue Ridge Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management Summer Meeting |
|
The Blue Ridge PRISM is a network of partners in the Northern VA area that is providing invasive species management resources to landowners. Recently, they did a presentation on controlling invasive grasses. Click here to view the presentation.
|
|
SPOTTED: Spotted Lanternfly in Chestertown, Maryland |
|
Foreman's Branch Bird Observatory at Washington College reported that they observed their first Spotted Lanternfly at the field station on August 3rd.
These pests might look cool, but they are a serious threat to agriculture. Originally from Asia, the Spotted Lanternfly was first detected in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014, and has since spread throughout the Mid-Atlantic. This insect has many hosts, both native, nonnative, and agricultural. The Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is the Spotted Lanternfly’s natural host. However, this tree, like the Spotted Lanternfly, is invasive in the United States.
|
|
Spotted Lanternfly, Foreman's Branch Bird Observatory |
|
Spotted Lanternfly has been sighted feeding on many plants including:
- plums
- apples
- cherries
- oaks
- walnuts
- poplars
- pines
- almonds
- nectarines
- peaches
- maples
|
|
The insect sucks sap from the plant’s stem, ultimately weakening the plant and causing death. Visit Maryland Dept. of Agriculture for more information.
If you see this insect, larva, or eggs; exterminate immediately with mechanical efforts, and report sightings to the Maryland Department of Agriculture at (410) 841-5920 or
DontBug.MD@maryland.gov as soon as possible.
|
|
Top view of a Spotted Lanternfly, MDA |
|
Tree of Heaven, https://www.flickr.com/photos/natureserve/14983184283
|
|
Toxic invasive hemlock is spreading into US parks and backyard gardens |
|
A toxic invasive species that can be deadly if eaten is spreading across parks, roadsides, and backyard gardens.
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a non-native species from Europe and north Africa which can be easily confused with water hemlock (Cicuta maculate) a wetland plant that is native to North America. Though both plants are extremely toxic, it is recommended that treatment efforts should be concentrated on the invasive species and not the native. If you are unsure of which you have, contact a professional for aid in identification.
Poison hemlock spreads rapidly and can cause blisters and welts through contact with skin and can potentially be deadly if any part of the plant is ingested. It can also be deadly to livestock and pets.
|
|
If you have any invasives you wish to report, please contact Victoria Spice, Invasive Species Coordinator, at vspice@lowershorelandtrust.org
|
|
Maryland Partners to Create Woodland Stewards Program |
|
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service has awarded funding of $280,852 to the Maryland Forest Service to work with the University of Maryland Extension and many public and private partners across the Delmarva Peninsula to establish a new training and outreach program, the Delmarva Woodland Stewards.
|
|
Seedlings growing at the John S. Ayton State Tree Nursery. Photo by Stephen Badger, Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
|
This grant creates the Delmarva Woodland Stewards Program and provides direct training and outreach to landowners and volunteers who want to learn more about how to implement forest and wildlife management practices.
The project reaches across state lines to Delaware and Virginia, and coordinates expertise from wildlife, forestry, and ecology to better inform landowners interested in managing wildlife on their woodlands.
|
|
Prestigious Leopold Conservation Award Comes to Maryland
The Leopold Conservation Award® recognizes landowners who inspire others with their voluntary dedication to ethical land, water and wildlife habitat management on working lands. The award is in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
Owners of farm and forestland in Maryland may apply for the award themselves or be nominated by another party. The Maryland application can be found online.
The recipient receives a $10,000 award and appearance in a feature video on the conservation success found on their farm or forest. The recipient will be announced at the Maryland Farm Bureau’s Annual Convention and Meeting of Delegates on December 6. The application deadline is August 31, 2021. Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders.
For more information on the nomination process, click here.
|
|
The Land Group Supports Forever Maryland Conference
A recent blog post by John Campagna from The Land Group provides a fresh perspective on land conservation and innovative strategies for land management.
"For The Land Group, much of our work with land trusts, environmental groups, and landowners is to help find the “best bang for your buck” in targeting land to be preserved, sites to be restored, and value to the landowner and surrounding community. As a bridge to many of these diverse groups, we can help bring solutions and ideas with our resources of more than 20 years of working in the conservation community. If you are a land trust, environmental group, or dedicated landowner in the Chesapeake region please call us if you would like to learn more. You can reach me directly at John Campagna 410-303-8156"
|
|
Join LSLT Agricultural Pollinator Certification Program |
|
Do you implement pollinator friendly practices on your farmland or know someone who does?
LSLT has expanded our certification program to include pollinator-friendly agriculture.
These efforts:
- promote the health of pollinators,
- improve air and water quality,
- increase biodiversity,
- prevent erosion,
- decrease ammonia and carbon dioxide,
- help enhance plant propagation,
- provide a beautiful landscape.
|
|
Wicomico County Announces Weed Control Position
Over the past several months, Invasive Species Coordinator Victoria Spice has been working alongside Maryland Department of Agriculture Plant Protection and Weed Management Division to reinstate Wicomico County’s Weed Control Program. This program generates revenue through a unique partnership with State Highway Administration to provide invasive species and noxious weed control to private homeowners, farmers and the public sector at a subsidized rate. This position is critical to the ongoing efforts of the Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management whose goal is to provide coordinated invasive species treatment efforts across the lower shore.
The newly revived County program is looking for a part-time seasonal employee with noxious weed and herbicide knowledge.
|
|
Department Accepting Nominations for Governor's Agriculture Hall of Fame
ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture is accepting nominations of farmers and farm families for the Governor’s Agriculture Hall of Fame, which pays tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to the state’s leading industry. Nominations are due by Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. Those selected for induction will be honored during the “Taste of Maryland Agriculture” event on Feb. 3, 2022.
Any farm family that derives its income principally from farming is eligible for the award.
|
|
Sign up today: Hike, Bike, or Paddle for the Love of the Land! |
|
This event can be completed on a river, creek, bay, trail, or even biking the View Trail 100! Log your miles anytime between Saturday, September 4, and Sunday, September 26, 2021. Do it all in one day or head out everyday and walk a mile to complete your goals. By registering, you will receive an interactive map, a t-shirt and a suggestions for apps that will track your miles on your smart phone.
River Rally is a virtual event that lets you choose your own trail to explore Delmarva! Join us as we highlight the many special places to hike, paddle and bike around the region, and support our efforts to raise awareness for the natural resources we strive to protect. The event encourages friendly competition, healthy lifestyles and promotes the best in water trails, hiking trails and cycling that Delmarva has to offer, while raising funds for Lower Shore Land Trust.
|
|
Save the Date! Lower Shore Land Trust's Flannel Formal returns this fall: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
