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January 17, 2021

The Chestertown Spy

An Educational News Source for Chestertown Maryland

Ecosystem Eco Notes

ShoreRivers Welcomes New Board Members

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ShoreRivers recently welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors: Scott Budden, Nick DiPasquale, and Barbara Boyd. This volunteer group includes scientists, farmers, educators, business and legal professionals, activists, and public servants. ShoreRivers believes that diverse perspectives on the board make the organization stronger. Each member brings his or her unique expertise, experience, and relationships to the organization, as well as a keen commitment to protect and restore Eastern Shore waterways. As ShoreRivers embarks on 2021 under the new executive leadership of Isabel Hardesty, the governing board plays a pivotal role in prioritizing environmental education, advocacy, and restoration in order to achieve lasting impact in all of the communities it serves.

Budden is the owner and operator of Orchard Point Oyster Company, bringing experience as a waterman and intimate knowledge of our rivers to the table. DiPasquale served as the director of EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program for more than six years and brings extensive knowledge of federal initiatives and policies related to the Bay. Boyd is a founding faculty member of the Marine Academy of Science and Technology in New Jersey and has received Congressional recognition for her environmental achievements.

L-R: Jane Selden (Midshore Watershed Advisory Board), Rebecca Murphy (ShoreRivers staff), Meta Boyd (Board of Directors), and Barbara Boyd (Board of Directors)

Ken Shumaker, a current board member, has a very personal motivation for his service on ShoreRivers’ board. “Since my retirement from Shared Medical Systems in Malvern, my cause has been the environment and water (more precious than oil),” he says. “Although my wife, Sue, and I have tried to be good environmental stewards during our temporary time on this planet, our generation is passing on a mess to our children and grandchildren. My kids and grandkids give me hope though that things can improve.”

ShoreRivers also has three dedicated Watershed Advisory Boards for each major watershed within the organization’s territory: SassafrasRiver and Bayside Creeks, Chester River, and the Midshore (which includes the Miles, Wye, and Choptank Rivers, as well as Eastern Bay). Volunteers for each Watershed Advisory Board support the organization’s mission as local, grassroots ambassadors.

New advisory board members who care deeply about their river and their community and are ready to volunteer their time to work for cleaner waterways are always welcome. Please contact your local Riverkeeper if that sounds like you.

Find your Riverkeeper and view lists of Board of Directors and Watershed Advisory Board members at shorerivers.org.

ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

shorerivers.org

ESLC Presents Solutions For A Changing Delmarva

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Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is excited to unveil Solutions for a Changing Delmarva, a four-part virtual workshop series designed to inform and engage the Delmarva community about climate issues that impact the region. The workshops will feature presentations from environmental experts who will provide different views and ideas about community-driven solutions to protect the environment, and the value those solutions create for citizens and the places where they live. The content of the workshops will cover areas that are at the core of ESLC’s Delmarva Oasis initiative which seeks to permanently protect 50% of the Delmarva Peninsula’s landscape from development and natural threats, while increasing public access to open space and waterways, and enhancing the quality of life of people and species across the region.

The purpose of this project is to directly engage public and private audiences in order to build regional public support for climate adaptation solutions. The Eastern Shore of Maryland is the country’s third most vulnerable region to sea level rise, behind south Florida and Louisiana. Because of the threats of increased flooding, the loss of properties, and widespread ecological impacts, ESLC is working with communities to take action on these threats today.

The first workshop, An Introduction to a Changing Delmarva, will inform participants about the importance of protecting the Shore’s venerable environments and provide a high-level overview of the environmental impacts sea level rise will cause in our communities.

The second workshop, Carbon Sequestration on Delmarva, will explore how protecting forests, wetlands, and agricultural lands can improve the land’s ability to store carbon.

The third workshop, Natural Solutions to Protect Our Communities, will discuss how nature-based solutions can protect Delmarva communities while improving local ecosystems.

The final workshop, How You Can Make An Impact In Your Community, will provide Delmarva residents with tools to combat climate change and build resilience in their communities.

Each workshop will be followed by an engagement activity that is designed to establish a personal connection to each topic. Each activity will be broadcasted over social media channels in the hope that ESLC can provide school and college aged students, teachers, and Delmarva residents with fun opportunities to learn how sea level rise and climate change affects their community. ESLC will award prizes to the most unique and well-thought-out projects.

This entire series is free to the public thanks to our partners at the Rauch Foundation.

The workshop series will kick off on January 12th at 6:00 pm. Visit www.eslc.org/events/ to register.

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit land conservation organization committed to preserving and sustaining the vibrant communities of the Eastern Shore and the lands and waters that connect them. More at www.eslc.org.

February Public Programs at Pickering Creek Audubon Center

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Comics with a Naturalist’s Knowledge with Rosemary Mosco
Thursday, February 11th 
7:00 – 8:00 PM
$7/ per person
Pickering Creek is pleased to announce that Rosemary Mosco, the creator of Bird and Moon Comics and the New York Times best-selling book, “The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid,” will join us virtually for an engaging talk on sharing science and humor through her art. Delight in Rosemary’s whimsical depictions of birds, reptiles, mammals, and more while picking up marvelous tidbits to share at your next (virtual) dinner party! This program will enchant, fascinate and inspire – you don’t want to miss it! To register, visit https://pickering.audubon.org/programs/upcoming-online-events

Getting Ready for the Great Backyard Bird Count
Friday, February 12, 2021
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
FREE
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Join Audubon Staff to help us kick off the GBBC weekend with birdy crafts, activities and bird watching challenges and get ready to share sharing birding stories online all weekend.  To register, visit https://pickering.audubon.org/programs/upcoming-online-events

Puffins & Petrels: Seabirds in the Field
Wednesday, February, 17, 2021
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
$5.00 per person
Seabirds spend most of their lives over (or under) the water, miles away from the shore. The only reliable way to study them is by living amongst them when they form summer breeding colonies in the thousands on small uninhabited islands. Learn what makes seabirds like puffins, albatross, and storm-petrels so special, find out what techniques we use to study them, and discover how scientists use this information to strengthen ecosystem-wide conservation efforts. To register, visit https://pickering.audubon.org/programs/upcoming-online-events

Winter Nature Play Trail debuts at Pickering

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Pickering Creek Audubon Center will debut its Winter Nature Play Trail on Thursday December 24th. The trail begins near the Pickering Creek Welcome Center and loops through the nearby wetland boardwalk and woods. The trail features thirteen stops that encourage kids and families to explore nature through short fun activities. The trail is self-guided. At the stops it asks kids to do interactive activities like: peer through the branches, is anyone home? Search for empty nests and other signs of animals.Each location asks kids and families to engage a different sense as they explore nature around them.

This is a great way to explore the winter season as a family while engaging kids and giving adults a chance to stretch their legs a walk off some of the Holiday Feast, says Pickering Creek Director Mark Scallion, “we often overlook the unique beauty of the outdoors in winter, it really is a great time to explore the outdoors. The trail will be in place from Thursday December 24th through Sunday January 10th and coincides with the tradition of New Years Day First Day Hikes at parks all across America. Keep an eye on the weather and remember boots if it has been rainy or snowy!

After enjoying the Winter Nature Play Trail , further explorations lie beyond, with over four miles of trails and several beautiful vistas over Pickering Creek and the Center’s expansive wetlands, Pickering Creek has miles of trails for exploration and enjoyment.

Pickering Creek Trails are open daily from 7am to 5pm during the winter months. Guests are asked to carry masks and wear them when passing each other on trails, restrooms are not available at this time, so plan accordingly. For all our guidelines please check: https://pickering.audubon.org/visit/planning-visit

IBM Partners with CBF and Others on New Resources for Environmental Learning

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IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced its working with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and World Wide Fund for Nature to launch the Sustainability Teacher Resources Channel on Open P-TECH.

Environmental sustainability is a business imperative and drives a company’s success in today’s competitive marketplace. A recent study by IBM found that nearly 80 percent of consumers surveyed indicate that sustainability is important to them, and 60 percent reported they are willing to change their shopping habits to reduce environmental impact.

“Open P-TECH’s sustainability resources will help bring much needed digital and professional skills that are critical to work in sustainability and beyond, like data analysis or design.”  said Michael Jacobs, IBMOffering Manager, Sustainability. “In doing so, it will help grow a new generation of leaders who understand environmental challenges and pursue sustainable solutions for supply chains, energy, and waste.”

Through this new alliance, the Open P-TECH platform also now aggregates sustainability education lesson plans and activities. For example, one course shows how to help students identify the realities of e-waste, how it fits into waste management, and the danger it poses to the environment while developing and implementing an e-waste collection and disposal campaign.

Also in the “Understanding Climate Change” course students can explore their local weather and historical climate information by visiting IBM’s weatherunderground.com or Weather Underground app and weather.com or The Weather Channel app. This can help inform students’ learning about climate and how it impacts their day to day lives. Also included in the platform are the virtual career fair as well as professional planning experiences.

“The Nature Conservancy is delighted to work together with IBM to connect more students with the skills and knowledge that will help them embark on careers focused on a green, sustainable future,” stated Kate Ireland, Director of Youth Engagement, The Nature Conservancy. “As an organization, The Nature Conservancy works every day to create a world where people and nature thrive; we know that to be successful, we must engage and arm young people with the tools necessary to continue and expand this work in the decades ahead.  The new Open P-TECH Sustainability Teacher Resources Channel will provide an exciting new pathway for educators and youth alike to begin this important work.”

“Educators and schools can play a vital role in shaping a sustainable future, by equipping young people to drive – and thrive in – a green economy, and by leading by example and driving good practice in communities,” said Matt Larsen-Daw, Education Manager, World Wide Fund for Nature. “World Wide Fund for Nature welcomes IBM’s new platform, which will be an invaluable resource for teachers and students looking to play their part in tackling the environmental crisis.”

“Students are naturally excited to learn about their environment and studies have shown that environmental education improves academic performance, increases civic engagement, and instills a belief that individuals can make a difference. Beyond that, sustainability education is now a critical component of 21st century job skills and citizenship for everyone. Our most pressing problems and our greatest opportunities will be solved by the next generation,” said Tom Ackerman, Vice President for Education, Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “The Open P-TECH Sustainability Teacher Resources Channel provides an engaging new platform to support students and teachers. CBF has invested in sustainability education for 50 years and is proud to contribute to this powerful new learning tool,”

Open P-TECH is a free digital learning platform for students (grades 9-14), parents, and educators designed to help learners develop soft skills and hard skills (including education on emerging technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, blockchain, among others) for jobs of the future. Currently, it has more than 143,000 registered members in 130 countries and is available in nine languages.

If an educator, volunteer or student you know is interested in teaching students about what green business is and the skills needed to succeed in it, please visit here.

More Than 50 Acres of Tree, Shrub, and Meadow Plantings Underway in Several Maryland Eastern Shore Jurisdictions

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A late fall groundbreaking is underway at 13 sites in six jurisdictions on Maryland’s Eastern Shore as part of work to add more than 50 acres of new trees, shrubs, and meadows to improve water quality.

The ongoing construction is happening due to collaboration between six Eastern Shore local jurisdictions, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), and others to identify environmental improvement projects and provide the support needed to fund and install the projects.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) provided a grant to kickstart the partnership, which enabled CBF to hire a staffer, known as a “circuit rider” to work on behalf of the localities. The staffer prioritized the jurisdictions’ potential projects and then sought out funding for them.

“The goal of this program is to help local governments grow the capacity they need to achieve the 2025 pollution reduction goals,” said Alan Girard, CBF’s Eastern Shore Director. “This collaboration empowers Eastern Shore counties, cities, and towns to put more projects in the ground at reduced cost to local governments. It demonstrates a cost-effective way to stop polluted runoff from entering streams, rivers, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.”

Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources subsequently awarded $300,000this summer to the collaboration to pay for the initial projects. Tom Leigh, the circuit rider, is now working with the contractor, Cambridge-based Delmarva RC&D, to install the vegetation, trees, and other projects that improve water quality.

The long-term goal is to build the collaboration to continue to reduce costs and time related to staffing and grant applications. By working together, Leigh and the jurisdictions were able to use one application, one grant manager, and one contractor to apply and plan for the projects—a process that if done individually by each jurisdiction would have taken significantly more resources.

“This ground-breaking circuit rider strategy is a great way to protect the Bay at the local grass roots level, greening and growing strong partnerships with communities through teamwork, trust, and technical assistance,” said Maryland Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles. The Maryland Department of the Environment matched funding provided by participating counties and towns and NFWF to get the partnership underway.

Few of these models have been attempted in the region, but the effort builds on increasing interest in working across traditional boundaries to clean up the Bay. The projects being installed now help the jurisdictions reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution, which is required as part of Maryland’s commitment to the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint. The Blueprint is the multi-state effort to reduce pollution across the Bay watershed by 2025. Trees and other vegetation planted near farm fields and along streams are among the most cost-effect practices to filter and reduce Bay pollutants. Pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus fuel agal blooms in the Bay, which reduce water clarity and lower dissolved oxygen levels that fish and crabs need to survive.

During a virtual press conference Tuesday, several elected and government officials discussed the value of the circuit rider effort.

“This really is a win-win for the Eastern Shore,” said Talbot County Councilmember Pete Lesher. “By working together Talbot County and its neighbors will have more trees, meadows, and other vegetation throughout the landscape. The new additions will beautify our communities and help improve the Bay’s health.”

The circuit rider collaboration was one outcome of the Healthy Waters Round Table, which in 2015 first brought together Eastern Shore government officials and environmental organizations to identify shared restoration needs and how to address them.

The following projects are now being constructed or are in the pipeline through the circuit rider collaborative effort:

Queen Anne’s County

  • Lining 12 acres along Price Creek in the Blue Heron Nature reserve with a grass buffer
  • Planting trees near the entrance of the public Blue Heron Golf Course driving range
  • Planting trees and shrubs around a portion of the perimeter of Grasonville Park
  • Transforming turf grass areas in Whitemarsh Park with trees, shrubs, and meadows
  • Adding a new meadow at Batts Neck Park near a stormwater pond overflow

Talbot County

  • Adding trees and shrubs around the perimeter of Cordova Community Park
  • Expanding a riparian forest buffer near the biosolids spray irrigation facility northeast of Easton
  • Planting a newly created ditch near the recently expanded Goldsborough Neck Road with shrubbery to reduce runoff to Goldsborough Creek

Easton

  • Planting trees, shrubs, and meadows at Moton Park and RTC Park
  • Adding seven acres of new meadow next to the Easton Airport

Oxford

  • Using reclaimed sediment to create a large berm that will be graded into an outdoor amphitheater at Oxford Central Park. The area will also be planted with trees, shrubs, and meadow and new bioretention areas will be created.

Cambridge

  • Planting trees in Great Marsh Park to reduce flooding during high water events that have become more frequent

Salisbury

  • Undertaking an urban tree canopy study to assess and recommend ways to increase the city’s tree cover

Note: Funding provided to CBF by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction program includes funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and its funding sources. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government, or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation or its funding sources.

ShoreRivers Film Festival Imparts Poignant Message: Act Now

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The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are polluted, and the time to act against this destruction is now. Just before Thanksgiving, ShoreRivers hosted the 11th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival.  Although the audience could not be together in person, the sense of community was strong as more than 1,000 passionate environmental advocates gathered online to view a diverse array of captivating conservation films. With their largest audience ever, spanning the mid-Atlantic and beyond, ShoreRivers incorporated customized staff videos, inspiring commentary from a few filmmakers, and one most noteworthy voice.

John Lipscomb is the Hudson Riverkeeper and featured voice in the film, A Living River.  Reflecting upon the lost biological diversity of the Hudson River and his awe upon witnessing the wildlife and natural beauty that still remains in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, he gave the audience a poignant reminder for why ShoreRivers’ work is so critical:

A Living River is a feature film that explores the biological diversity of the Hudson River, including the abundance of Atlantic Sturgeon. ShoreRivers’ education program uses sturgeon to teach students about fish migration, aquatic habitats, and pollution impacts on wildlife.

“Don’t forget every single day to appreciate and cherish the life that still exists here. Protect it, because once it’s gone, I can tell you that the road back is long and hard.”

As the pandemic persists, our public lands and waterways are valued more than ever before, and the ShoreRivers Wild & Scenic Film Festival reminded each viewer of the importance our rivers have to our spirit, our culture, and our future in Maryland and throughout the world.

“We are not alone in our work for clean water and healthy environments,” said Isabel Hardesty, incoming executive director of ShoreRivers, as she addressed the audience. “Activists across the country and around the globe are doing what they can to ensure a clean, healthy, ecologically diverse environment that supports humankind, brings us joy, and makes for a better world.”

ShoreRivers is grateful to the leadership sponsors of this event: Ecoprint powered by More Vang, Truist, Gunther McClary Real Estate, and Glenmede. With a dedicated staff of Riverkeepers, educators, scientists, restoration specialists, and advocates focused on policies and projects that will improve the health of our waterways, ShoreRivers is a strong, collective voice for swimmable, fishable, clean, and safe rivers for all. You too can make a difference in the fight for clean water in our backyards and around the world. Join ShoreRivers and, together we will clean these rivers. For our future, we must.

ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

shorerivers.org

Upcoming Beekeeping Class

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Wye River Beekeepers and Upper Eastern Shore Beekeepers Clubs are pleased to announce that The University of Maryland Bee Squad is offering a Beekeeping 101 class that starts in mid January 2021.

If you wish to start this fascinating and sweet adventure and join our beekeepers community please join the upcoming class.

Mr. Mark Dykes, of the UMD Bee Squad, will be teaching the course. Mr. Dykes is the former chief inspector of the Texas Apiary Inspection Service and is currently the UMD Bee Squad coordinator. He has led many beekeeping education programs, including the Texas Master Beekeeper Program, and currently teaches classes for beekeepers through the University of Maryland.

This course is designed as a 6 sessions event. It is open for all who have a desire to become a beekeeper. All sessions will be taught online every other Saturday starting on January 16, 2021.

This class will help set you up for success as a beekeeper and allow you to confidently work your hives and enjoy all the rewards of beekeeping including: honey, pollen, wax, crop pollination, and the enjoyment of keeping bees.

Once you complete the series of classes you will be able to start your apiary. To help you gain further knowledge, mentors from the Wye River Beekeepers and the Upper Eastern Shore Beekeeping Associations will be available to help you get started and offer ongoing assistance.

The cost for the six sessions is $125.00 and checks should be made out to the Wye River Beekeepers. To register for the class contact Wye River Beekeepers at buzz@wyeriverbeekeepers.org by January 10. If you don’t have access to email please call The Bee Squad at (301) 458-0640 or Wye River Beekeepers at 410-279-9896.

By keeping happy and healthy bees you will be doing your part to help the honey bees!

Pickering Creek Webinar: Bird Friendly Pantry

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Ken Elkins

Pickering Creek will be joined by their friend Ken Elkins of Audubon Connecticut for a unique webinar on Thursday December 3rd, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, entitled Bird Friendly Pantry.

Every birder or nature-lover has a genesis moment—the point at which their passion is born. For Audubon Education Program Manager Ken Elkins, the moment he got hooked was at age 10 when he noticed and observed the birds at his grandmother’s feeders at her home in Vermont. The experience was fascinating, and Ken has been obsessed with birds and nature ever since.

Active in the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) since he was a teenager, Ken’s later participation in Connecticut and National Envirothons led him to pursue a degree in Environmental Biology from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science & Forestry. He started his career in conservation education at Westmoor Park in West Hartford, Connecticut, and quickly moved on to The Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS) where he taught at all five of their Centers and became their Director of Education. While at CAS, Ken led many EcoTravel trips and organized their World Series of Birding team for eight years.

Ken’s presentation will answer the question: What does Bird Friendly mean? As an example, Bird Friendly coffee comes from farms using a combination of foliage cover, tree height and biodiversity to provide quality habitat for birds and other wildlife. Join Pickering Creek to learn more about coffee and other pantry items that are bird friendly. This program is presented in partnership with Bent of the River Audubon Center in Connecticut.

Register at https://act.audubon.org/a/bird-friendly-pantry

Thanksgiving Interactive Kids Trail at Pickering 

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Pickering Creek Audubon Center will debut its Thanksgiving Kids Interactive Trail on Wednesday November 25.  The trail circles the Pickering Creek pond and features eleven stops that encourage kids and families to explore nature through short fun activities.  The trail is self guided and starts at the Center’s main parking lot. At the stops it asks kids to do interactive activities like: “Hop like a rabbit down the trail, if you see a Hawk or Eagle overhead freeze until it passes.”  Each location asks students to engage a different sense as they explore nature around them.

“This is a great way to explore the fall season as a family while engaging kids and giving adults a chance to stretch their legs a walk off some of the Thanksgiving Feast,” says Pickering Creek Director Mark Scallion.  The trail will be in place from Wednesday November 25th through Sunday December 6th.  Keep an eye on the weather and remember boots if it has been rainy!

After enjoying the kids interactive trail, further explorations lie beyond, with over four miles of trails and several beautiful vistas over Pickering Creek and the Center’s expansive wetlands, Pickering Creek has miles of trails for exploration and enjoyment.

Pickering Creek’s Trails are open daily from 7am to 5pm during the winter months.  Guests are asked to carry masks and wear them when passing each other on trails, restrooms are not available at this time, so plan accordingly.  For all our guidelines please check:   https://pickering.audubon.org/visit/planning-visit