Solar siting legislation was unsuccessful in advancing during the 2024 General Assembly session, preventing Maryland from crafting a formal solar energy plan for streamlining perceived obstacles and codifying uniform standards. A group of key stakeholders has now worked for months to craft a solar siting proposal for Maryland’s 2025 General Assembly session that would serve as a basis for legislation to come. One of the key components of the group’s new proposal is a 4-mile-wide solar corridor adjacent to high powered transmission lines throughout the state. Counties would be required to process permits for solar development as a “by right” use within the corridor, meaning solar developers would receive faster approvals, reduced costs, and increased predictability but counties would forfeit the ability to exert more oversight of projects. Statewide, this corridor comprises 2,886,526 acres of land. 75% of the lands identified within this proposed solar corridor are located within various state-designated preservation areas. For some regions on the Eastern Shore, that percentage is as high as 96%.

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy was not invited to attend meetings with this group of stakeholders but were kept apprised of proceedings by various members. In response to the group’s proposal, ESLC spearheaded a letter signed by numerous land conservancy advocates across the state to offer feedback in hopes of making key changes prior to introduction this legislative session. The letter emphasizes the importance of upholding public trust, the need for specificity on state-owned lands, and a request for more robust mitigation. 

The current draft proposal attempts to acknowledge Maryland’s conservation goals by mandating a $3,500 per acre mitigation fee for projects sited within a preservation area. However, for true mitigation to occur, site specific impacts need to be more carefully considered. Rather than a flat mitigation fee, the fees assessed should reflect regional variations in land value. The proposed flat mitigation fees are also only applied to projects that occur in designated preservation areas. These preservation areas, identified as the most important in the state for historic, cultural, agricultural or environmental reasons, are worthy of even more robust protection than a flat mitigation fee. Our letter also argues that mitigation fees should be applied to any solar development project (regardless of the land’s preservation status) due to inevitable land use disruption and impacts to agricultural production.

Will Maryland need to develop preserved land in order to meet its renewable energy goals? 727,943 acres of the lands mapped within the working group’s proposed solar corridor are actually located outside of designated preservation areas. And this number well exceeds any existing estimates for how much land will be needed for Maryland to achieve its current solar goals. Identifying and avoiding areas that are key to conservation and preservation can be a useful tool to help guide solar development to the most appropriate places – from both a cultural and environmental perspective. The stakeholders’ current proposed plan to site solar based solely upon transmission line locations and then require a flat mitigation fee for compromising preservation areas does little to disincentivize developers from siting projects on important open space.

In the working group’s proposed corridor map, identified preservation areas include Rural Legacy Areas, Priority Preservation Areas, and Targeted Ecological Areas (TEAs). (While the working group did not include conservation easement acreage in their total sum of affected preservation areas, protection of conservation easements needs to be more explicitly stated.) These areas have received special designation for preservation because of the unique attributes they possess. For example, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources calls Targeted Ecological Areas (TEAs) “lands and watersheds of high ecological value that have been identified as conservation priorities for natural resource protection. These areas represent the most ecologically valuable areas in the state: they are the best of the best. The purpose of TEAs is to protect ecologically important lands, address issues with forest fragmentation, habitat degradation, and water quality, and promote shared responsibility for land conservation.” On the Eastern Shore of Maryland, over 218,000 acres of these precious TEAs fall within the proposed solar corridor.  

Similarly, Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program preserves large, contiguous tracts of land to enhance natural resource, agricultural, forestry and environmental protection while supporting a sustainable land base for natural resource-based industries such as forestry and agriculture. Statewide, 431,364.87 acres of Rural Legacy areas fall within the proposed solar corridor—102,321 acres of which are within Eastern Shore Rural Legacy areas. Accelerating solar energy development on designated preservation areas backsteps our communal work towards numerous land conservation goals including the 40% by 2040 goal from the Maryland the Beautiful Act of 2023, the Chesapeake Bay Agreement’s additional two-million-acre land conservation goal by 2025, and President Biden’s executive order to conserve 30% of the country’s lands and waters by 2030.

While the renewable energy provided by solar developments can positively impact our current climate crisis, the conservation of undeveloped land and its myriad ecosystem services (from carbon sequestration to flood mitigation to water quality protection) is equally essential for achieving our climate goals. Solar installations can disrupt land preservation efforts by impacting ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and agricultural areas if they are not carefully sited. Large-scale solar farms require extensive land, which can lead to habitat destruction, fragmentation of ecosystems, and threats to biodiversity. Additionally, placing solar projects on prime agricultural land can reduce the space available for food production, affecting both local economies and food security. Conversely—blocking all solar development would continue to make our communities reliant upon nonrenewable energy. Exclusively committing to a single endeavor—only solar development or only conservation easements—can prevent essential services. This is not a lesser of two evils. It’s a balance of two goods. Finding the right tension between modes of conservation and sustainable development is key. ESLC is committed to fostering this balance through advocacy and continued close monitoring throughout the legislative session.  

Volunteer SwimTester Dona Sorce collects a water sample at Crouse Park in Denton for ShoreRivers’ 2024 Swimmable ShoreRivers Bacteria Monitoring Program

Each summer, ShoreRivers works to provide the public with information needed to make educated decisions about contact with our rivers and creeks. This year, ShoreRivers monitored bacteria levels at 52 sites around the region — providing a critical public health service for communities and identifying pollution hotspots for future restoration efforts.

A team of community scientists called SwimTesters volunteer their time to test these popular swimming and boating sites weekly between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and generous site sponsors cover a portion of the associated costs. Their samples are then processed, according to standard scientific protocols, in ShoreRivers in-house labs and tested for enterococci — an indicator of fecal bacteria. The program follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s standard protocols for collecting and analyzing samples and makes public the results of that testing to let people know about current bacteria levels as they make their plans for recreating in our waterways. Reports detailing how the sites in each watershed performed throughout the 2024 season can be found at shorerivers.org/technical-documents.

“Over the past four years, ShoreRivers has grown this program from 32 testing sites across our region to more than 50, made our communications bilingual, and installed informational signs in many access locations to connect the public to our data in real time,” says Chester Riverkeeper Annie Richards. “We are incredibly proud of this effort, and our growth is a testament to how much our communities value and respond to this critical data. Bacteria levels have a direct impact on how we recreate in these waterways, and it’s up to all of us to find solutions.”

New for this year was the creation of the first ever Bacteria Blitz, where ShoreRivers’ members were invited to collect water samples from their own property or at their favorite swimming area for testing. The goal was to offer the community a chance to see a snapshot of what the bacteria levels looked like off their property while providing our Riverkeepers with insight as to where else high bacteria levels are found outside of the sites that are routinely sampled. Results of the Blitz (conducted on a day when light rain was recorded 24–28 hours prior at most sites) showed that of the 52 samples collected and processed, 34% failed to meet the recreational water quality.

“Our ability to swim in our rivers shouldn’t be taken away because of pollution,” said Choptank Riverkeeper Matt Pluta, who also serves as ShoreRivers’ Director of Riverkeeper Programs. “This program was incredibly valuable in understanding where bacteria issues exist outside of our normal testing sites so we can start to dig into finding and eliminating any potential sources.”

Bacteria typically comes from local sources like failing septic systems and faulty sewer lines, pet and animal waste left along the shoreline or washed in with stormwater runoff, and the use of some organic fertilizers like poultry manure. All participants with the Blitz were provided their own results, plus information on how to connect with their health department, and resources available for addressing issues stemming from septic systems and other known sources of bacteria pollution. Based on the interest in, and success of, this effort, ShoreRivers hopes to offer the Bacteria Blitz again next season.

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

shorerivers.org

Local governments on the Eastern Shore are under increasing  pressure to grow through development to meet the rising demands for public services, including  education, housing, infrastructure maintenance, and climate change adaptation. But Eastern Shore  communities already struggle financially to provide basic services with current property tax revenue  levels. This financial strain hampers their ability to build more connected, affordable, and  environmentally sustainable communities, ultimately affecting the quality of life for residents. In response to these challenges, the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) invites community  members, stakeholders, and local government officials to attend “Sustainable by Design: Urban3  Land Use Analysis on the Eastern Shore.” Over the past year, ESLC has partnered with Urban3, a  firm specializing in land use analysis, to study land use patterns across eight counties on Maryland’s  Eastern Shore. Urban3’s data and impressive modeling maps reveal the varying value of land use  investments for local governments, both rural and urban. Their analysis uses a “value per acre”  measurement, which contrasts public investment in infrastructure and services with property tax  revenues. 

ESLC will host two informative events on Tuesday, October 22, where attendees can learn more  about the findings and implications of Urban3’s analysis. These events will foster a deeper  understanding of land use value and encourage discussions on sustainable development practices. 

Event Details: 

• The Packing House in Cambridge | Tuesday October 22at 10 AM 
• Chesapeake College in Wye Mills | Tuesday October 22 at 3 PM 
• Registration: https://www.eslc.org/sustainable-by-design-urban3/

We hope you can attend either event to explore how we can support more sustainable and vibrant  communities on the Eastern Shore.  

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.

Let’s learn some new outdoor skills at Bolingbroke Park in Trappe on Saturday, November 2nd from 9:00 to 3:00 and enjoy a bowl of chili and some Birthday Cake.  Four different Outdoor Skills programs are scheduled.

ARCHERY – Learn to use compound bows and practice target shooting in a well-managed environment. Our equipment is authorized for use in the National Association of Schools Training (NAST) and our two instructors are certified by the Maryland Association of Archers and they occasionally shoot competitively. Sam Durner frequently teaches at Tuckahoe Park and Rick Morton is qualified on multiple types of bows. There will be Morning and Afternoon sessions. Enrollment limited to 10 participants at each. Attendees must be at least 14 years old.

KAYAKING — Learn about a variety of kayaking equipment and safety, and  spend some time paddling on Bolingbroke Creek.  All safety equipment will be provided and the kayaks used will be single sit-ins. Time on the water may be influenced by weather conditions and temperatures. This session is being taught by Carol McCollough. Carol received her kayak instructor training from the American Canoe Association (ACA).   There will be Morning and Afternoon sessions. Enrollment limited to 15 persons at each. Attendees must be at least 14 years old and must sign a liability waiver.

FOREST BATHING – Learn a Japanese methodology, Shinrin-yoku – literally Forest Bathing, for therapeutic relaxation and mindfulness in nature.  The session will be led by Shawn McLaughlin, a naturalist and researcher at the NOAA Oxford Lab. There will be one Morning session with attendance limited to 15 persons.

ORIENTEERING –Learn how to find your way in the woods. Develop your map reading and compass skills so you may remain “oriented”.  This session will be conducted much like a scavenger hunt with a map and compass and a challenge to navigate through the park, identifying specific stops. This session will be taught by Jon Hammond, recently retired Coast Guard helicopter pilot. Jon is an expert in search and rescue and he enjoys setting-up and executing exercises to enhance your skills. There will be one Afternoon with attendance limited to 15 persons.

Plan for a fun day developing your outdoor skills, sing happy birthday, eat cake, etc. Here is a summary of the offerings, schedule and other particulars. Pick one for the Morning and a second for the Afternoon.

Sessions are designed for adults of all ages and mature self-assured youth, physically capable of participating in the activity.

This day outdoors occurs in early November. Dress warmly in layers and maybe consider a change of clothes if kayaking.

Each attendee must register separately as a chapter member or as a non-member.  To help us defray expenses, we ask each chapter member to pay $5 and each non-member to pay $10.

You must register online in advance. Click on OUTDOOR SKILLS or scan the QR code to pay the fee and to identify the Morning and Afternoon sessions you wish to attend.

ShoreRivers’ Landscape Architect, Katie Drummond (right), works with a student at Galena Elementary School to add native plants to a rain garden installed at the school. Funding for the planting was generously provided by the Robert F. Schumann Foundation.

ShoreRivers is thrilled to announce that it has received a three-year grant from the Robert F. Schumann Foundation to support its River-Friendly Yards program.

ShoreRivers’ River-Friendly Yards program combines community education with hands-on, roots-in-the-ground restoration planting projects. With this generous funding, ShoreRivers will be able to activate more planting projects with more communities, and provide the maintenance that is critical to the ongoing success of existing projects. This funding also supports continuing education for the workforce that cares for our river-friendly landscapes, allowing more local landscapers and municipal employees to be trained and certified in environmentally responsible practices.

The Schumann Foundation and ShoreRivers share goals of stewarding and restoring our environment, increasing diverse natural habitat, and educating our communities. ShoreRivers protects Maryland’s Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement. Data show that the majority of pollution in our rivers is coming from within our watersheds, which means every one of us has the potential to improve the health of our waterways. This program helps people see the inextricable connection between land and water. A river-friendly yard mimics the natural environment to benefit water quality, native birds and pollinators, and our local ecosystem. Strengthening this program into a regional, multi-year effort that engages municipalities, homeowners’ associations, landscape professionals, legislators, developers, and even more communities will greatly increase its impact at a critical time for habitat and water quality.

With the flexible, steadfast support of the Robert F. Schumann Foundation, ShoreRivers will continue to expand the visibility and impact of this positive, powerful program for the good of our waterways, birds, pollinators, and communities. Learn more at shorerivers.org/river-friendly-yards.

Lead photo: Staff members and volunteers for ShoreRivers gather to finish installing native plants at a rain garden installed at Galena Elementary School. Funding for the planting was generously provided by the Robert F. Schumann Foundation.

ShoreRivers is proud to announce that its highly anticipated fall Rendezvous event is returning for a third year, with guests invited to the Farmstead at Kent Island Resort on Sunday, October 20, from 1–4pm.

Secure your spot now to enjoy an autumn afternoon on Thompson Creek while celebrating the people and programs of ShoreRivers. A premium open bar, lively Americana music graciously provided by Easton-based music group Ampersand, and a thoughtfully curated seasonal menu will be served.

“Connecting ShoreRivers’ work to some of the best things our rivers have to offer — delicious, regional fare, an exceptional atmosphere, and passionate advocates — is key to restoring and protecting these waterways,” says Executive Director Isabel Hardesty. Guests will have the chance to underwrite the impact of that work in priority local conservation efforts through four engaging program stations. We’re grateful for the early support of lead sponsors Watson/Stone Family Foundation, Timothy & Lisa Wyman, and Full Sail Media to make this fun and purposeful event possible.

To add to the festivities, ShoreRivers will present its annual Award for Environmental Stewardship to William A. Anderson, II in recognition of his influential role as a local leader. Anderson has served as a lead advocate on environmental issues at the federal level in Washington, DC and in the Mid-Shore region of Maryland’s Eastern Shore since the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972. A ShoreRivers board member for five years and former Vice Chair, he has graciously lent his expertise on numerous, important advocacy issues. We’re proud to recognize the significant amount of time and effort he has put in to support ShoreRivers, and to fight on behalf of what’s right for the rivers we all cherish.

Sponsorship opportunities (which include promotional recognition and complimentary tickets), and general tickets are available. Visit shorerivers.org/events to secure your spot, or email Rebekah at [email protected] for details.

All funds raised through sponsorships, ticket sales, and donations support healthier waterways through ShoreRivers’ focused mission of science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement.

shorerivers.org

Adkins Arboretum announces that Abby Lorenz of Millington was recently hired as its first director of public engagement. More than ten years of experience in horticulture, strategic development, communications and other fields make Lorenz a valuable asset to the Adkins team.

“Having grown up on the Eastern Shore, I’ve developed a lifelong love for this region’s natural beauty and the people who live here,” said Lorenz. “Combining my love for this area with my experience in public gardens and community engagement feels like coming full circle. I’m excited to contribute to the incredible work being done at Adkins.”

Before joining the Arboretum staff, Lorenz completed a 13-month Longwood Fellows Program at Longwood Gardens, a leader-development program that focuses on public horticulture. During the program, she collaborated with peer leaders to produce a comprehensive toolkit and presentation focusing on mission impact. She has additionally served as the Plant Records Manager for Mount Cuba Center in Hockessin, Del., the Manager of Plant Records and Horticulture Programs at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and as a landscape designer for Unity Landscape Design/Build. She holds a B.S. in Horticulture from Virginia Tech and a BFA in ceramics from the Chicago School of the Art Institute.

Throughout her career, she has been driven by a desire to create spaces where people can find a sense of belonging and connection. She believes that public gardens are not just places to visit but spaces where people can find a sense of community, healing and inspiration.

“Abby brings a broad and unique perspective to the Arboretum team with education, skills  and experience in horticulture, the arts and building community,” said Adkins Executive Director Ginna Tiernan. “ We are thrilled to have her join us as we seek to reach broad audiences, promote native plants and foster love and appreciation of the natural world. Abby has joined us at an exciting and critical time as we embark on a new Master Plan—the last one was completed in 1999—and our 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. She will play a vital role in developing both of these important documents.”

The director of public engagement designs, facilitates and supports a broad range of programs, events and guest engagement to provide exceptional experiences in nature and promote native plants.

The mission of Adkins Arboretum, a 400-acres native garden and preserve at the headwaters of Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County, is to provide exceptional experiences in nature. For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847.

ShoreRivers is proud to announce a new partnership with Caroline County Recreation and Parks to co-develop and implement programming where fifth-grade students will investigate the question: “are our rivers swimmable and fishable?” Planning stages for this new initiative have already begun, and programming will take place next summer.

Through this program, students will learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) while also building leadership and advocacy skills by participating in exciting hands-on learning activities and connecting to nature. Highlights of the program include visiting multiple county parks; conducting biological, chemical, and physical assessments of water quality; canoeing; fishing for invasive species using state catch and consumption advisories; engaging with scientists and other environmental careers; and planning and implementing student-driven action projects.

Funding for this exciting new program is also coming from a new source for ShoreRivers. The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and supported by $1.1 million from the U.S. Department of Education, is now working with 12 environmental education organizations to offer engaging after-school watershed-focused STEM programs.

“This funding enables us to ignite in our youth a passion for their local waterways, ultimately inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards through hands-on exploration of the Choptank and Nanticoke rivers,” said Morgan Buchanan, ShoreRivers’ Education Programs Coordinator. “ShoreRivers is thrilled for this new partnership with Caroline County Recreation and Parks and to be working together to cultivate a community of students who have a critical understanding of how our actions on land directly impact the health of our rivers.”

The grant funding for this program, administered by NAAEE and running from 2024–2025, supports environmental education organizations collaborating directly with state designated Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers and their students, many of whom live in underserved areas. Caroline County Recreation and Parks operates one of only three 21st Century Community Learning Centers on the Eastern Shore.

“Many of the children we work with are woefully disconnected from the waterways that surround and run through our county,” said Danny Mitchell, Program Services Director for Caroline County Recreation and Parks. “Working with ShoreRivers allows us to start addressing that disconnect, while also meeting our goal of working with content experts to bring unique opportunities and experiences to our summer campers.”

In addition to providing year-round recreation opportunities, maintaining nearly 500 acres of public land, and managing over $9 million in capital projects and grants, Caroline County Recreation and Parks serves over 1,000 students each year through comprehensive out of school time programming taking place afterschool and in summer camps operating in elementary schools across the county. Visit carolinerecreation.org to learn more. Caroline County Summer Learning Centers are funded through the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Maryland Out-of-School Time Programs for the Future grant program administered by the Maryland State Department of Education. In accordance with the Maryland State Department of Education’s policy, 21st Century Community Learning Centers programs do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, creed, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation in matters affecting employment or in providing access to programs.

ShoreRivers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Maryland’s Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement. We lead a robust environmental education program that serves more than 2,500 third-grade and high school biology students every year in Dorchester, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, and Kent county schools, and provide students with a Meaningful Watershed Education Experience (MWEE) — a Maryland State graduation requirement. ShoreRivers leads classroom lessons, field experiences, community-focused action projects, and teacher professional development. Learn more at shorerivers.org/education.