Eastern Shore Land Conservancy is delighted to announce the  expansion of Jim and Bo Earnest’s conservation easement in Caroline County, which now totals 678 acres, thanks to a partnership between ESLC, Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources,  the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Ducks Unlimited. The expansion was funded through the  North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) and through dedicated Program Open  Space dollars—a conservation funding system that was cut dramatically during the 2025  Maryland General Assembly and will likely face similar budget-related threats in the future. The  property boasts forests, migratory waterfowl habitat, agricultural fields, scenic value, and more  than a mile and a half of Choptank River waterfront, protected with 100-foot forested buffers.  

ESLC President & CEO Steve Kline said: “Bo and Jim’s easement protects wildlife, active  farmland, and valuable natural resources. The Earnests have supported ESLC’s mission for  decades, and they are always thinking of the next step for conservation whether that’s through a  healthy forest stewardship plan, a restoration project, or a conservation easement.”  

Owned by The Honorable Broughton M. Earnest (Bo) and his brother Jim, the now 678-acre  ESLC easement is contiguous to both a 376-acre marsh (which the Earnests conveyed to The  Nature Conservancy more than 50 years ago) and the Choptank River’s 30-acre Hog Island  where Bo and his wife Ray have lived for more than 50 years. Raised in the D.C. area, Bo and  Jim’s late father introduced them to “the magic of waterfowl hunting,” on the Eastern Shore  beginning in the early 1950s. This led them to Hog Island, where a surrounding warren of  marshes, impoundments, farm fields, and forests continue to welcome owls, terrapins, otters,  deer, monarchs, muskrats, and thousands of waterfowl every year. “It is hard to find over 1,000  contiguous acres with over three miles of riverfront on the Choptank (or anywhere else on the  Eastern Shore) which has been permanently preserved primarily for the benefit of wildlife,  especially the migratory waterfowl which have used this acreage for winter habitat for thousands  of years” reflected Bo. “Neither of us can conceive of a more valuable legacy than to perpetuate  this environment which has meant so much to our families as well as for the wildlife which call  Hog Island home.” 

“The Earnests’ passion for conservation is inspiring,” commented ESLC Director of Land  Conservation David Satterfield. “Not only have they donated land for public access, but they are exceptional stewards of their property through wildlife habitat protection and restoration efforts  for waterfowl and upland birds. The legacy that the Earnests have built on this spectacular piece  of land, including the restoration work they are planning, solidifies the Earnests as champions of  conservation for the Eastern Shore.” 

“ESLC and the landowners of the Choptank River watershed continue to show their commitment  to serving as stewards of the River and its surrounding landscape,” said Joanna Ogburn, Principal  and Founder of Envision the Choptank. “As a founding partner of Envision the Choptank, ESLC  brings their strengths to the 45- member partnership, protecting over 10,000 acres to date within 

the watershed. This recently expanded easement will help to maintain agricultural productivity  and protect water quality and wildlife habitat for future generations, complementing the efforts  of Envision partners all working towards these shared goals.” 

To learn more about both donated and funded conservation easements, the Rural Legacy  Program, or ESLC’s Program Open Space advocacy, please contact ESLC Director of Land  Conservancy David Satterfield at [email protected] or ESLC Director of Land Use & Policy  Owen Bailey at [email protected]. 

Established in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s mission is to conserve, steward, and advocate for the  unique rural landscape of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, forever a special place of diverse and abundant natural  resources and thriving rural communities.

• Clean feeders regularly: Reduce disease risk by cleaning feeders at least once every two weeks. Wash them in the dishwasher or in the sink with boiling water and soap.
• Maintain the area under feeders: Keep the ground clean to help reduce disease risk and discourage predators such as rodents and raccoons.
• Monitor for sick birds: If any visiting birds appear sickly, remove your feeder temporarily until they disperse to prevent close-contact infections.
• Use predator guards: Install guards to deter raccoons, squirrels, and other uninvited guests seeking food.
• Reduce bird strike risk: Place feeders within three feet or beyond ten feet of reflective windows. Birds leaving feeders within three feet will not gain enough speed to injure themselves if they hit a window, while those beyond ten feet will have time to spot and avoid the glass, especially if windows are covered with decals or screening.

Along with partner Tall Timbers, ESLC is honored to receive a 2025 grant from the Cornell Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative. Fourteen land trusts across the  country received a total of $260,000 to be used for bird conservation. “We are incredibly grateful to  Cornell for supporting us in this powerfully beneficial management practice, knowing it will greatly uplift  the conservation value of our region,” commented ESLC Enhanced Stewardship Manager Larisa  Prezioso. Prezioso will work with Tall Timbers’ Delmarva Prescribed Fire Coordinator & Game Bird  Biologist Kyle Magdziuk to advance “biologically beneficial blazes,” an initiative to promote and  accelerate the use of prescribed fire to enhance bird habitat. 

“Prescribed fire is an often misunderstood and underutilized tool on the Eastern Shore,” commented  ESLC President and CEO Steve Kline. “ESLC looks forward to equipping landowners with safe,  responsible prescribed fire management plans so we can continue to enhance conserved lands and bring  back that beloved quail call so many of us miss.” 

Over time sprawl development, “edge-to-edge” commercial farming practices, and the compounding  pressures of climate change have drastically reduced habitat for grassland and early successional birds like  Northern bobwhite, Eastern meadowlarks, and grasshopper sparrows. According to the North American  Breeding Bird Survey, 83% of grassland birds experienced significant population declines from 1966 to  2022, with Northern bobwhite quail suffering the largest population loss over the last 50 years, upwards  of more than 90% decline in Maryland alone. 

While many successful initiatives have restored crucial habitat, continued management has been a  challenge since grasslands tend to transition back to forests when left alone. Historically, fire occurred  every 4 to 10 years in this region, preventing this transition. Thanks to funding from Cornell, ESLC will  work with Tall Timbers to maintain the Eastern Shore’s grassland spaces through the responsible use of  prescribed fire. 

Upcoming outreach activities include a 2026 “learn and burn” demonstration, creating grassland habitat  management plans that utilize prescribed burning for conservation easement landowners, and compiling  and distributing resources for landowners to manage their habitat with prescribed fire. “When applied  safely, responsibly, and consistently,” Magdziuk explains, “prescribed fire mitigates the risk of wildfires,  supports a balanced ecosystem with native plant and wildlife communities, and keeps the ecosystem  healthy and resilient, while being one of the most cost-effective tools available.” 

To learn more about ESLC’s prescribed burn initiative, please reach out to Larisa Prezioso at  [email protected]. To learn more about Tall Timbers or about the brand new Eastern Shore Prescribed  Burn Association, please reach out to Kyle Magdziuk at [email protected]. 

Established in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s mission is to conserve, steward, and advocate for the  unique rural landscape of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, forever a special place of diverse and abundant natural  resources and thriving rural communities.

Today, the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative (CMC)  kicks off its 10 year anniversary celebrations. Over the past 10 years, the CMC has partnered with over  100 organizations who are collecting water quality and benthic macroinvertebrate samples at 2,490  monitoring stations throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. 

“The Alliance is honored to lead the CMC project and work with so many of our community volunteers  and partners over the years,” said Liz Chudoba, Water Quality Monitoring Initiative Director, Alliance  for the Chesapeake Bay. “The collective impact of our efforts informs decision-making policies and  supports communities across the watershed.”  

Formed in 2015, the CMC began as a six-year cooperative agreement through the US Environmental  Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program, to integrate community and volunteer monitoring data  into the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership. The CMC team was awarded a second cooperative  agreement in 2021, continuing the partnership for an additional six years. 

The CMC is supported by five partner organizations: the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the Izaak  Walton League of America, the Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring at Dickinson College, the  University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, and the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine  Research Reserve in Virginia at Virginia Institute of Marine Science. These organizations provide  technical services to monitoring groups in the Chesapeake Bay region in order to ensure data are of  known quality. 

“The CMC has allowed the Chesapeake Bay Program to expand its knowledge base and better  understand conditions throughout the watershed through broader engagement with the public,” said  Dr. Peter Tango, Chesapeake Bay Monitoring Coordinator, USGS at the Chesapeake Bay Program  Office. “This supports management of our ecosystems by working across local to regional scales to meet  state and federal goals for water quality improvements.”

Historically, there were many sources of data, including data collected by volunteers, local governments,  and NGO’s, that were not being used to track Chesapeake Bay and Watershed health at a broader scale.  To address this issue, the CMC team established a quality assurance structure that aligns with state and  federal regulatory decision-making processes and enables all data of known quality to be used together  across the region. This structure not only helps existing groups, but also breaks down the barriers and  enables more monitoring groups to become established in the watershed. To date, over 1.1 million data  points have been uploaded to and are publicly accessible on the CMC Data Explorer. 

“The CMC Data Explorer has been a game changer for sharing data,” said Mary Claire King, Citizen  Science Coordinator at Buttonwood Nature Center, who organizes a volunteer water monitoring  program in partnership with the Antietam Watershed Association. “Our monitoring program includes  28 testing sites, many of which are located on private property. The data explorer allows the landowners  a chance to connect with the data collected from their property in real time. It also provides incredible  graphs and visuals that we at Buttonwood and AWA use when working with the public to educate on the  importance of keeping our local waterways clean. It is such a useful resource for our organizations and is  very easy to use!” 

Community volunteers and partners are the backbone of the CMC. With the support of generous  individuals donating their days, evenings, and weekends, the CMC has increased temporal and spatial  data collection throughout the watershed. These data support significant insights on watershed health  from tidal estuaries in Virginia, to farms in Pennsylvania, to West Virginia trout streams, to Baltimore  Harbor, to communities in Anacostia, to wetlands in Delaware, and forests in New York. No matter the  reason individuals are collecting data, it is vital information being used to create positive change for  local ecosystems and communities. 

For more information about the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative, visit: https://www.chesapeakemonitoringcoop.org/. 

For data in the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative, visit: https://cmc.vims.edu/data-explorer

This year Pickering Creek has added three new trustees to its Board, while wishing its one departing Trustee well wishes.

Anne Walker served two terms on the Pickering Board of Trustees and has been the head of the annual Birdseed Sale and colead of the Mayapple Social for the last two years.  Anne’s enthusiasm for connecting people with nature was a great benefit during her tenure on the board.  She will continue to participate in Pickering activities as the chair of the birdseed sale for fall of 2025.  

Jim Van Ness joined the Pickering board in late Spring.  Jim served as Senior Associate General Counsel at the Office of the Deputy General Counsel for the Department of Defense from 1994 to 2019. Jim was admitted to the Iowa Bar in 1974, the U. S. Supreme Court Bar in 1978 and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Services Bar in 1974. When asked about why he joined the Pickering Board, Jim mentions three things: “First, the Pickering Creek Audubon Center is protecting, preserving, and, where necessary, improving some 400 acres of native habitats and wildlife as the rest of Talbot County gets carved up by development.  Second, these lands are generously managed as public property, available to anyone who wishes access the restorative powers of nature.  Thirdly, Pickering Creek is responsible for introducing hundreds of school-age children—who might not otherwise get the opportunity—to the wonders of nature and the importance of caring for the planet we live on.”

Kathi Bangert joined the Pickering Board this August.  Prior to retiring, Kathi served as Assistant Regional Director for External Affairs, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Northeast Region and was responsible for overseeing USFWS communications from to Maine to Virginia with news media, Members of Congress, regional Native American Tribes, and federal/state partners. Early in her career Kathi spent significant time with the USFWS in the Chesapeake Bay office, making her initial connection with the Bay. Kathi serves the local community in a variety of capacities with the League of Women Voters, Building African American Minds, Master Gardeners and For All Seasons.

When asked why she was interest in Pickering Kathi shared, “I am inspired by Pickering Creek’s quest to connect community and nature for the well-being of both. The Center’s environmental education partnership with local schools is a central part of its mission. Yet, beyond nature camps and classroom learning, Pickering is as much for adults and families as it is for children. Whether one wishes to take a solitary meditative walk or join with others in a bird walk or night hike, there is something for everyone. I appreciate Pickering’s innovative and inclusive approach to outreach—one that does not simply invite people to the Center, but also actively tries to reach them where they live, work, and play.  This outward-looking spirit helps to inspire and empower a diverse community to become stewards of nature in their own backyards and neighborhoods, thereby promoting greater access to the natural world for everyone.”

Erin Riggin joins the Pickering Board this August as well. Erin is a graduate of Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and University of Maryland, College Park, MD with a BS in Kinesiology. She currently works at Midshore Veterinary Service in Easton. Erin, an Eastern Shore native, says, “Growing up with what would now be called a “free range” childhood on Langford Creek in Kent County, I spent my days observing the wonders of the outdoors.”

She also shares, “Outdoor education programs were always a favorite of mine growing up. I looked forward to every field trip that was centered around being outside. Pickering Creek’s programs offer a unique window into the world of great outdoors for all ages. As a mother of two small children, I continue to be impressed with the inspiration, curiosity, and knowledge that the summer EcoCamp brings out in them. Hearing them recite the songs that they learned in camp together will remain a fond memory of mine.”

If you are interested in getting more involved with Pickering Creek you can get in touch with Mark Scallion at [email protected] or join one of the Center’s programs that is open to the public at www.pickeringcreek.org

Waterfowl Festival Board of Directors present check to DU Conservation for a Continent program. In order from left to right: Deena Kilmon, Executive Director, Waterfowl Festival; Jake McPherson, Ducks Unlimited Managing Director of Development- Great Lakes/Atlantic Region; Julie Susman, President, Waterfowl Festival 2025, Austin Durrer, Waterfowl Development Committee Chairman; Chip Heaps, Waterfowl Conservation Committee Chairman; Ernest Burns& Jonathon Rondeau, Waterfowl Board of Directors; Taylor Deemer, DU Director of Development/MD-DE; Colin Perry, Amy Horne, and Kim Newcomb, Waterfowl Board of Directors.

The Waterfowl Festival announced today a $70,000 conservation investment to support DU’s Conservation for a Continent Campaign in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These projects will restore wetlands on publicly accessible lands—ensuring that Maryland residents, sportsmen and women, birdwatchers, and future generations have access to natural and wild open spaces.This funding will directly benefit waterfowl, wildlife, water quality, and outdoor recreation at three high-priority sites: Browns Branch Wildlife Management Area (Queen Anne’s County), LeCompte Wildlife Management Area (Dorchester Co), and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (Dorchester County).

For more than 50 years, the Waterfowl Festival has celebrated the rich traditions of the Chesapeake Bay while advancing habitat conservation. This year’s gift, funded by the proceeds from the festival’s annual and iconic Premiere Night event,  underscores the Festival’s renewed commitment to protecting the landscapes that sustain both wildlife and the way of life that makes the Shore unique.

“Supporting meaningful, strategic, and shovel-ready  projects of this size ensures that our investment in conservation has lasting impact,” said Julie Susman, Board President, Waterfowl Festival. “These projects improve waterfowl habitat in some of the most important areas of the Atlantic Flyway while also enhancing public access, recreation, and the health of the Chesapeake Bay.”

The $70,000 contribution will help fund three major projects:

• Browns Branch Wildlife Management Area (Queen Anne’s County) – $20,000 will restore 16.2 acres of marginal farmland into shallow emergent wetlands, improving habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds while reducing an estimated 826 pounds of nitrogen and nearly 39,000 pounds of sediment from entering the Bay each year.

• LeCompte Wildlife Management Area (Dorchester County) – $20,000 will support the conversion of 16.6 acres of agricultural land into managed wetlands, enhancing habitat for migratory waterfowl and reducing more than 1,100 pounds of nitrogen and 59,000 pounds of suspended solids annually in the Nanticoke watershed.

• Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (Dorchester County) – $30,000 will leverage federal funding to restore 23 acres within the Refuge’s core 250-acre managed wetland complex. This work will sustain one of the most important wintering grounds for migratory waterfowl and improve water quality by reducing 1,800 pounds of nitrogen and more than 160 tons of sediment annually.

“The Chesapeake Bay’s wetlands are irreplaceable for waterfowl and people alike,” said Taylor Deemer, DU Director of Development/Maryland-Delaware. “The Waterfowl Festival’s investment is a powerful example of how conservation and community come together to make a lasting difference.”

Projects are expected to be completed by June 2026.

About the Waterfowl Festival
The Waterfowl Festival, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Easton, Maryland, is dedicated to wildlife conservation, the celebration of waterfowl art, and the preservation of Eastern Shore heritage. Since its founding in 1971, the Festival has raised millions for habitat restoration and community programs across the Chesapeake Bay region. Learn more at www.waterfowlfestival.org.

Cyclists of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in the 21^st Ride for Clean Rivers on Sunday, September 21 — your chance to ride the beautiful back roads of Talbot and Queen Anne’s counties in support of ShoreRivers’ work for thriving rivers cherished by all Eastern Shore communities.

Riders can choose from fully supported Metric Century (62-mile), 35-mile, or 20-mile routes. All routes begin and end at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills and include SAG support and rest stops with food and drink.

Staggered group send-offs at 8am and 9am include a police escort across Route 50. Upon returning to the college campus, riders and volunteers will enjoy a catered lunch and beer provided by Ten Eyck Brewery. Participants are also encouraged to join teams and create their own fundraising pages to boost support for their ride from others.

ShoreRivers extends special thanks to the following sponsors and partners: Dean & Nita Goodwin, Chesapeake College, Bike Doctor Kent Island, Ten Eyck Brewing Company, TCR Event Management, as well as volunteers from the Talbot Skipjacks 4-H Club.

A portion of the proceeds from this event support ShoreRivers’ science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement programs. Registration prices will increase as the event nears, so sign up now! To register as a rider or sponsor, visit shorerivers.org/event/rideforcleanrivers2025.

ShoreRivers protects Maryland’s Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement.

shorerivers.org

Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage (CWH) will host its annual Magnificent Monarchs workshop on Sat., Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. at Barnstable Hill Farm in Chester. The public is invited to join CWH staff to tag and learn about the migrating habits of Monarch butterflies. Participants will also learn about the Monarch’s life cycle and will help scientists from around the continent track its astounding generational migration.

The workshop is free to the public, but space is limited. To register, email [email protected] or call 410-822-5100. Directions will be provided.

Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage is dedicated to designing, restoring and managing wildlife habitat and establishing a more sustainable agriculture. In addition to stewarding 1,150 acres in Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties that it owns and manages as wildlife sanctuary, CWH works daily with private and public landowners to help ensure the future of the region’s wildlife and the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Since the organization’s founding in 1980, CWH staff has restored nearly 2,000 acres of wetlands, planted more than 1,000 acres of woodlands and created 5,000 acres of warm season grass meadows. For more information, visit cheswildlife.org.

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Laboratory invites the public to its annual, free Open House on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This 2025 Open House theme is Make Waves with Science.  This year marks the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s centennial, so there is even more to celebrate at the annual event.

“Science drives innovation, creates knowledge, generates solutions, and inspires us to think about our world in new ways,” said Horn Point Lab Director Mike Sieracki.  “And sometimes science makes waves–in all the best ways!  Horn Point Lab chose the theme Make Waves with Science for this year’s Open House to celebrate the impact of groundbreaking research.  We’re looking forward to celebrating that impact with our Open House guests!”

Visitors will explore the world of marine science through hands-on exhibits created and staffed by the lab’s faculty, staff, and students. Exhibit topics include a plankton zoo, digital sandbox, physical oceanography, and remote sensing technology being used in the Choptank River.

Along with the interactive exhibits, there will be additional activities including exploring the largest oyster hatchery on the East Coast, and STEM and Chesapeake Bay-themed crafts and games.  Children who complete the open house scavenger hunt will receive a complimentary t-shirt.  Food vendors Choptank Oyster Company and Taqueria Floritas will have refreshments for purchase. Horn Point Lab students will be selling sweets, popcorn, and lemonade, with proceeds benefiting fundraising for student activities.

The Open House is free and fun for all ages, and takes place rain or shine. Comfortable shoes are recommended for walking around the campus.  An on-campus shuttle will also run throughout the day. Horn Point Laboratory campus is located at 2020 Horns Point Road off Route 343 outside of Cambridge, Maryland.

For more information, visit umces.edu/events/annual-open-house or contact Claire Otterbein at [email protected].

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Guiding our state, nation, and world toward a more sustainable future

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) is a leading research and educational institution working to understand and manage the world’s resources. From a network of laboratories spanning from the Allegheny Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean, UMCES scientists provide sound advice to help state and national leaders manage the environment and prepare future scientists to meet the global challenges of the 21st century.

HORN POINT LABORATORY 

Understanding of the world’s estuarine and ocean ecosystems through a research program in oceanography, water quality, restoration of sea grasses, marshes and shellfish.

 The Horn Point Laboratory, located on more than 800 acres on the banks of the Choptank River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, has advanced society’s understanding of the world’s estuarine and ocean ecosystems. Horn Point scientists are widely respected for their interdisciplinary programs in oceanography, water quality, restoration of sea grasses, marshes and shellfish and for expertise in ecosystem modeling. With ongoing research programs spanning from the estuarine waters of the Chesapeake Bay to the open waters of the world’s oceans, Horn Point is a national leader in applying environmental research and discovery to solve society’s most pressing environmental problems.