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May 29, 2023

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

Ecosystem Eco Notes

Something of the Marvelous Challenge Features Tour of Harleigh’s Magnificent Woodland Gardens

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Pickering Creek Audubon Center’s Something of the Marvelous spring fundraiser for 2023 is a dollar for dollar matching challenge with every dollar being matched up to $50,000.

These funds support Pickering Creek’s science and nature education programs in Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester and Wicomico counties for students from at least one grade level in each school system, ensuring that every student in the grade level, regardless of background, has great outdoor learning experiences with Pickering’s talented staff of educators and scientists.

In addition to supporting school programming, these matching gifts help connect adults and families with the habitats and wildlife that also call the midshore home, and support summer EcoCamp scholarships.  And finally, generous gifts provided by the community to this matching challenge ensure that Pickering is open to the public for free everyday to enjoy the center’s beautiful trails!

Two marvelous donors have stepped forward to collectively offer this year’s dollar for dollar match.  Both are long-term supporters of the Center’s work to connect people to nature.  Supporters who contribute over $100 between May 15 and June 9 will be eligible to enjoy an evening stroll through the gardens of Harleigh, Chip and Sally Akridge’s beautiful estate off of the Oxford Rd.

After dropping off their car, guests will walk down the main lane to take in views of the impressive home that center’s Harleigh’s manicured grounds. Strolling through a formal rose garden, followed by a classic fernery/stumpery, the walk then winds through quiet wonderful woodlands along the banks of Trippe Creek.

Guests will be able to enjoy these paths by early evening light or in the day’s waning light at sunset amongst a beautiful arrangement of lit passageways and lumieres.  Guests then proceed through the English-inspired open-arched pavilion, finding their way to the Harleigh House waterside portico to sip a Martha Washington lemonade, and to ponder the gloaming.

The final place to explore on this exceptional journey is the Akridge’s Monticello-style vegetable and cutting garden.  Staff will be available along the stroll to answer question botanical and otherwise.

The home’s stunning gardens and grounds will be open on June 10 to approximately 200 supporters of Pickering Creek Audubon Center’s award-winning education programs participating in the Something of the Marvelous Challenge.

Timed entrances scheduled throughout the evening on June 10th will include complimentary beverages, time to explore, and a special thank you gift.

Unlike Pickering Creek’s pre-Covid era Tour Toast and Taste, Something of the Marvelous has no tent, no auction, and no dinners for sale.  It is all outdoors- just soaking in the marvelous blooms and scenery of the amazing Harleigh!

Pickering Creek’s fundraising goal for the 2023 Something of the Marvelous Challenge is to raise $100,000 for Pickering’s education programs. Please join us as we celebrate our achievements and prepare for the future.

School groups, families, wildlife enthusiasts and photographers from far and wide visit Pickering Creek Audubon Center throughout the year to participate in hands-on outdoor learning, volunteer experiences and immersing themselves in the natural beauty of the Eastern Shore.

For more information, please visit www.pickeringcreek.org

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Blackwater NWR to Hold Annual Youth Fishing Fun Day on June 3

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In partnership with the Friends of Blackwater and the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge will hold their annual Youth Fishing Fun Day on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  This family-friendly event will be held at “Hog Range” Pond behind the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center, located off Route 335.  Young people 15 years old and under can pre-register for the event by calling 410-228-2677 or register at the event on June 3.  Fishing will begin at 9:00 am and end around 1:00 pm.

The first 100 registered youth to check in at the event will receive a t-shirt and special gift. Each registered youth will also receive a free lunch ticket for a hot dog, drink, and chips. Bait (nightcrawlers) will be provided for anglers, or they may bring their own bait or lures. A limited number of sanitized “loaner” fishing rods will be available, but anglers are encouraged to bring their own if they have one. As always, staff and volunteers are on hand to provide assistance to any of the young anglers who might need help.

Parents should note that this is a non-competitive, catch-and-release event, meant to introduce children to the fun of fishing. Any snakeheads that are caught may be kept, but they must be deceased before they leave the premises. Participants should also note that no pets are allowed at this event. If you have any questions, please email us at fw5rw_BWNWR@fws.gov.

Directions to Hog Range Pond:  From Route 50 in Cambridge, turn onto Route 16 West.  Travel approximately 7 miles to Church Creek.  Turn left onto Route 335.  Travel approximately 5 miles.  Once you pass Key Wallace Drive on your left, turn right at the entrance to the Harriet Tubman Visitor Center.  Park in the secondary parking lot next to the pavilion behind the Tubman Visitor Center.  For further information and pre-registration, call 410-228-2677.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 32,000 acres of rich tidal marsh, mixed hardwood and pine forest, managed freshwater wetlands and cropland for a diversity of wildlife.  To learn more, visit our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or @BlackwaterNWR.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Swimmable ShoreRivers Program Returns, Expands Access to Results

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ShoreRivers is pleased to announce that not only will its Swimmable ShoreRivers bacteria testing program begin Thursday, May 25, but that weekly results from this annual program will be available this year in both English and Spanish.

Every summer, ShoreRivers deploys a team of community scientists to monitor bacteria levels at popular swimming and boating sites to provide important human health risk information to the public. Their samples are then processed, according to standard scientific protocols, in ShoreRivers in-house labs. 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. Results are posted every Friday, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, at shorerivers.org/swim and on both the organization’s and its individual Riverkeepers’ social media pages.

Chester Riverkeeper Annie Richards shows off one of ShoreRivers’ new informational signs at Morgnec Landing on Morgan Creek.

A second page, shorerivers.org/swimmable-shorerivers-espanol, has been set up to share this program with the Spanish-speaking community, and 14 signs can be found at public sites around the Eastern Shore that explain the goals of the Swimmable ShoreRivers program and show users where to find weekly results in both English and Spanish. These signs were made possible thanks to funding from the Cornell Douglas Foundation, and ShoreRivers’ Riverkeepers will continue working throughout the season with local county officials to install more. Want to see one at your favorite local landing? Reach out to your Riverkeeper about adding a site, and talk to your county officials about installing one of these free and informative signs.

Weekly results are also shared on theswimguide.org, where descriptions of testing sites have also been added in both languages.

“At ShoreRivers, we believe that access to clean water is an essential right for all of our communities,” said Chester Riverkeeper Annie Richards. “It was important to us to be able to offer informational access to more of our community, and we hope to continue expanding this access in the future.”

This public service provided by ShoreRivers truly is a community effort: this summer, 61 SwimTesters will monitor 46sites on the Choptank, Miles, Wye, Chester, and Sassafras rivers; Eastern Bay; and the Bayside Creeks. Special thanks go to our generous site sponsors, who include towns, marinas, homeowner’s associations, and families.

Bacteria levels in our rivers and tributaries vary based on location, land use, and weather—making systematic, scientific analysis of local water quality vital. Major rain events are almost always connected to spikes in bacteria levels, and outgoing tides have a higher probability of carrying bacteria pollution. Potential chronic sources of bacteria include failing septic systems, overflows or leaks from wastewater treatment plants, waste from animal farms, or manure fertilizer.

Choptank Riverkeeper Matt Pluta holds water quality samples.

Also returning for the 2023 season is ShoreRivers’ Pumpout Boat, which begins running during Memorial Day weekend. The Pumpout Boat is a free service offered on the Miles and Wye rivers, that docks at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels and operates from May to mid-October. With your help, this boat will help prevent more than 20,000 gallons of concentrated marine waste from entering our waters annually. To schedule a pump-out, contact Captain Jim Freeman at 410-829-4352, on VHF Channel 9, email POBCaptJim@gmail.com, or by using the form at shorerivers.org/programs/pumpout-boat.

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

shorerivers.org

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Take a Hike and See Springtime at Its Best on Bolingbroke Creek

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Mountain Laurel is in bloom at Bolingbroke Park in Trappe, 2665 MoneyMake Road, 10:00 am – 4:00, Saturday, May 20, rain or shine.

The MID-SHORE Chapter of the Izaak Walton League is sponsoring an opportunity for our community and friends to come out to Bolingbroke Park to see the splendor of the magnificent blooming Mountain Laurel shrubs throughout the park.  Enjoy a walk on our 1.5 miles of wooded trails, try-out our kayaks, stop by the pavilion for a refreshment.

About Mountain Laurel (Kalmia Latifolia): It is a native broadleaf evergreen shrub. The leaves are about 3 inches long by 1 inch wide. Locally the shrubs may reach up to 15 feet tall with dark red bark up to 4 inches in diameter. In winter the shrubs are attractive with the bright, glossy leaves and snow on the ground. In the spring the laurel blooms in clusters up to 5 inches across. Mountain Laurel is normally found in cooler climes and, as the name implies, found in upland environments.  Finding Mountain Laurel on the Eastern Shore, and in the quantity in our park, is exceptional.  Visiting Bolingbroke Park should be an enjoyable morning or afternoon excursion for the family.

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Backyard Composting Workshop May 20

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The Chestertown Environmental Committee is offering a FREE composting workshop this Saturday, May 20, 10 am to noon at Sumner Hall, 206 South Queen Street, Chestertown.

Why compost?  It will enrich your soil with nutrients, resulting in a healthier, more productive garden, whether for consumption or pleasure. It increases the soils’ ability to absorb moisture – reducing runoff, it cuts down on trash in the landfill.

Learn all the dos and don’ts in this two hour workshop, hosted by the Chestertown Environmental Committee. Compost bins will be available at the event. For more information email Jenny at jennyelee09@gmail.com.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Pickering Creek Audubon Center June Public Programs

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Monday Paddle on Pickering Creek
Monday, June 5 & June 12, 2023
5:30-7:00 PM
$5 per person
Join us for a leisurely canoe paddle along the shores of Pickering Creek. Soak in the sights and sounds of the creek by canoe with a friend or family member as the early evening light dances on the waters of Pickering Creek. See the Barn Swallows swoop up their last meal of the evening, rays flap in the water, and the Eagles and Osprey soar overhead. Families welcome! Canoes & Lifejackets provided. REGISTER HERE

Perch on the Pier
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
5:30 – 6:30 pm
$5 per person
Join Pickering Creek naturalists for a relaxing midweek fishing break from the back dock. Whether you’re a pro at catching carp or a complete beginner at hooking bass, getting out on a summer evening for some time fishing is always great! And even if the fish aren’t biting we still have Ospreys and Bald Eagles to watch as well! Fishing rods will be provided but feel free to bring your own. Catch and release only! REGISTER HERE

Nature Walk with the Executive Director: Waterfront & Woods
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
9:00 – 10:30 am
$5 per person
Join Director Mark Scallion for a trail walk at the Center. Walks are a great introduction to the Center’s trails and programs and an opportunity for you to learn more about what the Center has to offer and for us to learn about your interests. This month we’ll stroll the lane to the waterfront and then return through the woods portion of the Farm to Bay trail. We’ll adventure to a different part of the Center each month, so come as often as you like. REGISTER HERE

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Naturalist Andy Brown to Speak About Barn Owls in Maryland at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

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Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is hosting a special evening presentation featuring naturalist Andy Brown, discussing “Barn Owls in Maryland: Their Ecology and Conservation.” The presentation will take place at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.

Barn owls are found throughout Maryland, however despite their widespread distribution, barn owl populations are declining across the state. Learn more about their ecology and the challenges barn owls face at this evening presentation.

Presenter Andy Brown is retired from Calvert County Natural Resources Division, where he worked for 34 years as a naturalist. He has a BS in Wildlife Management from Frostburg State University and an MS in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. Andy grew up in Prince Georges County, MD, where he began birding as a teenager with Prince Georges Audubon and received his bird banding license at age 16. Andy began working with Barn Owls in the Patuxent River Valley in the early 1990s. He currently serves on the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership Farmland Raptor Committee as the Barn Owl coordinator and is active in Barn Owl research nationwide with the Global Owl Project. He is on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Bird Banding Association. Andy currently resides in Frederick County, MD.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 32,000 acres of rich tidal marsh, mixed hardwood and pine forest, managed freshwater wetlands and cropland for a diversity of wildlife.  To learn more, visit our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or @BlackwaterNWR.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

State of the Rivers Series Continues in May

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More than 150 guests joined ShoreRivers at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels on Wednesday, April 26, for the kickoff event in its annual State of the Rivers series—free presentations held each spring to inform the public about the current state of our Eastern Shore waterways and what we can all do to protect and restore them.

At the St. Michaels event, ShoreRivers’ Riverkeepers shared the results of their 2022 water quality testing; updates on recent agricultural, urban, and oyster restoration efforts; goals and metrics for underwater grasses, bacteria pollution, and sediment levels; and much more, with an emphasis on the Choptank, Miles, and Wye rivers, and on Eastern Bay. Upcoming events will focus on the Chester and Sassafras rivers, and the Bayside Creeks. Director of Riverkeeper Programs Matt Pluta also recognized standout volunteers Maura Bollinger and Ron Rothman with the Andy Coombs Memorial Volunteer Award for their dedication to the organization and their generous service in support of healthy waterways on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Coombs was an incredible supporter and one of the first volunteers for the Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy, one of the three legacy organizations that merged in 2017 to create ShoreRivers. He was instrumental in its oyster restoration efforts. Additional volunteers will be recognized throughout the series.

Matt Pluta, Choptank Riverkeeper and Director of Riverkeeper Programs at ShoreRivers (center), presents the Andy Coombs Memorial Volunteer Award to Maura Bollinger and Ron Rothman.

There’s still time to attend an upcoming State of the Rivers presentation, as the series continues Wednesday, May 3, at Cult Classic Brewing in Stevensville, with Chester Riverkeeper Annie Richards and new Miles-Wye Riverkeeper Ben Ford; Thursday, May 4, at the Kent County Community Center in Worton, with Chester Riverkeeper Annie Richards and Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher; Tuesday, May 9, at the Galena Fire Hall, with Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher; and concludes on Wednesday, May 10, at 447 Venue in Cambridge, with Choptank Riverkeeper Matt Pluta.

ShoreRivers is grateful for this year’s State of the Rivers sponsors: Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay, Choptank Oyster Co., Peter & Georgeanne Pinkard, Cult Classic Brewing, Orchard Point Oysters, Ten Eyck Brewing Company, the Kent County Community Center, the Galena Volunteer Fire Department, Jeff & Beth Horstman, Happy Chicken Bakery, and Ferry Bridge House.

To learn more, visit shorerivers.org/events.

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

shorerivers.org

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Allison Colden Named Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Maryland Executive Director

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The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) has named Dr. Allison Colden as its new Maryland Executive Director. Colden enters the new role after six years at CBF as Maryland Fisheries Scientist. She is among the leading advocates for sustainable fisheries policies to protect important Chesapeake Bay species such as rockfish, oysters, and blue crabs. Her first day in the new role is today.

Josh Kurtz, CBF’s previous Maryland Executive Director, was appointed Secretary of Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources by Gov. Wes Moore in January.

Colden has led advocacy efforts to pass state bills such as 2019 legislation that permanently protected Maryland’s five large-scale oyster restoration sanctuaries. For the past two years, Colden has overseen CBF’s Maryland oyster restoration program, which adds tens of millions of oysters to the Bay each year to sanctuary reefs. She also serves as Maryland’s legislative representative to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and as an appointed member of Maryland’s Oyster Advisory Commission, where she advances sustainability through regulation and cooperative fisheries management. Her work on fishery issues has given her a broad understanding of the water quality problems that affect the Bay as well as the need for clean water.

Dr. Allison Colden. Photo Credit: Caroline Phillips/CBF

“It’s my pleasure to announce Allison Colden as the new leader of CBF’s Maryland team,” said Alison Prost, CBF’s Vice President for Environmental Protection and Restoration. “Since joining CBF, Allison has proven she can use her scientific expertise to work through controversial issues with grace. Allison has earned the respect of partners and decision-makers alike through a cooperative approach and thoughtful policy recommendations. Colden’s advocacy efforts in Maryland have helped the state begin to reverse its long-term oyster population decline. In her new role, Allison will oversee the Maryland office’s efforts to reduce water pollution, educate policymakers, and strengthen the state’s environmental policy.”

Colden, an Annapolis resident, received a doctorate in marine sciences from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in 2015. Before coming to CBF, she worked in the U.S House of Representatives as a Knauss Marine Policy Fellow and later as the senior manager of external affairs at Restore America’s Estuaries.

“We’re in a time of change for the Chesapeake Bay cleanup as several states in the watershed struggle to meet their pollution reduction requirements,” said Colden. “In Maryland, we must do more to address agricultural and stormwater pollution. As we approach the 2025 deadline, there is an opportunity to reflect on what has worked, what hasn’t, and to advance proven and innovative solutions to restore the Bay’s health. We must ensure the next phase of the cleanup supports communities harmed by water and air quality issues, mitigates climate change, and furthers pollution reductions. I’m excited for this opportunity and look forward to advancing the important work of the Maryland team.”

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Pickering Creek Audubon Center May Public Programs

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Monday Paddle on Pickering Creek
Monday, May 1 & May 15, 2023
5:30-7:00 PM
$5 per person
Join us for a leisurely canoe paddle along the shores of Pickering Creek. Soak in the sights and sounds of the creek by canoe with a friend or family member as the early evening light dances on the waters of Pickering Creek. See the Barn Swallows swoop up their last meal of the evening, rays flap in the water, and the Eagles and Osprey soar overhead. Families welcome! Canoes & Lifejackets provided.

Azalea Bloom with Author Bryan Mackay
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
$40 per person
The National Arboretum is one of the lesser known gems of Washington DC, but nowhere else are the glories of spring so abundantly displayed. We expect more than 50,000 azaleas to be near peak flowering! We’ll stroll the wood chip paths of Azlea Hill in search of the perfect bush. The National Bonsai Museum never fails to enchant, and the National Capital Columns adorn a nearby meadow. Finally, we’ll walk the trails of Fern Valley in search of native wildflowers, where our naturalist guide and author of Hike Maryland and A Year Across Maryland, Bryan Mackay, will delight you with tales of botanical trivia. Van transportation from Pickering Creek to the National Arboretum is provided. Space is limited so first come, first served! REGISTER HERE

Tracks & Traces: Part 1
Monday, May 8, 2023
4:30 – 6:00 pm
$5 per person
Who has been here? What were they doing? When were they here? Where did they go? Why were they here? Join us to learn the art of seeing animal movements through our environment. In a two-part workshop we will learn how to identify and interpret animal tracks in relation to the environment around them. Participants will learn how to record track sightings and cast plaster tracks. Even if you missed part 1, part 2 will cover new ground so feel free to come out regardless! Children are welcome with attending adults

Tracks & Traces: Part 2
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
8:30 – 10:00 am
$5 per person
Explore the world of birds beyond identification and classification. Bird and other animals share a language to help them navigate their worlds, stay safe and stay connected to each other. Learn how to “listen” to what birds say through their vocalizations and behaviors in this guided field experience. Activity will be light with a lot of time spent sitting or standing quietly. Participants will sharpen their observation skills and walk away understanding some basic bird behaviors that will offer a peek at what is going on in the landscape around them in real time. We will cover new ground in part 2, so participating in Part 1 is not required! Children are welcome with attending adults.

Oyster Gardening
Thursday, May 18, 2023
4:30 – 6:00 pm
$5 per person
Pickering Creek Educators are excited to introduce you to our new crew of unsung heroes, the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica). Oyster gardening provides important nursery habitat as well as filtering the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries; oyster reefs are a vital part of conserving the Chesapeake Bay. We invite you to come learn about our new spat growing program, the challenges these bivalve face, and the research methods we use to analyze the success of our oyster nurseries.

Birding the Pocomoke with Wayne Bell
Thursday, May 18, 2023
6:30 am – 1:30 pm
$25 per person
Join experienced birder Wayne Bell and Pickering staff as we tour the marshlands around the Pocomoke-Nassawango in Wicomico County. The Pocomoke-Nassawango is the premier site for Forest-Interior Dwelling Species (FIDS) on the Delmarva peninsula, and it hosts significant populations of at-risk bird species because of its large size and varied habitats. We’ll hope to see Prothonotary Warbler, American Redstart, Scarlet Tanager, Ovenbird, Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush and other Warblers, Vireos and Flycatchers. The best birds are up early and resting by midday. We’ll leave the ACME in Easton at 6:30AM. Rain date May 17. Van transportation provided, or you can follow along by car.

Whimsy: Nature Art
Friday, May 26, 2023
3:30 – 5:00 pm
$5 per person
Nature uplifts and energizes us everyday. You don’t have to be a Picasso or Monet to get outside and take inspiration from nature to make art! You and your little ones are invited to come out to Pickering Creek and make nature-inspired arts and crafts to celebrate spring and how much fun it is to just be outside. Ages 4-7 recommended but all are welcome!

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.