The remaining programs in the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center's Creepy Crawlers 2008 program include “Amazing Monarchs,” Aug. 11-12; “Crabby Days,” Sept. 8-9; “Traveling Seeds,” Oct. 13-14; “Meet a Tree,” Nov. 10-11; and “Where's Rudolph?,” Dec. 8-9.

The CBEC is located at 600 Discovery Lane, POB 519, Grasonville, MD 21638. Phone: 410-827-6694; fax: 410-827-6713; email: sghrist@bayrestoration.org.

Labels: CBEC, chesapeake bay, chesapeake bay environmental center, grasonville

ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking enthusiastic adults to become TEAM (Teaching Environmental Awareness in Maryland) volunteers. TEAM DNR is a volunteer program committed to educating elementary and middle school students about the Chesapeake Bay and other Maryland environmental issues through hands on presentations in classrooms around the state.

“TEAM volunteers are helping to create the next generation of environmental stewards,” said Amy Henry, Conservation Education Specialist at DNR. “Volunteers help students understand the importance of conservation and restoration through hands-on activities and presentations.”

TEAM Volunteers provide an important link between DNR, schools, and students. Since 1998, TEAM DNR volunteers have delivered 1000 classroom programs and inspired more than 30,000 students in Maryland. Currently, TEAM offers schools-free classroom programs on the Chesapeake Bay watershed, streams, oyster reefs, horseshoe crabs, and Chesapeake watermen.

The next volunteer workshop will be held on Friday, July 11, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the first floor conference room of the Tawes State Office Building (580 Taylor Ave. in Annapolis). Participants will be trained on three of the four classroom programs. DNR will provide snacks and beverages, but participants are asked to bring their own lunch.

To register for this workshop, contact Amy Henry at 410-260-8828 or ahenry@dnr.state.md.us.

Volunteers should have an outgoing personality and a strong desire to protect the Chesapeake Bay. While no prior teaching experience is necessary, volunteers should enjoy working with children. For more information, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/education/teamdnr.

To help ensure that all Maryland children have an opportunity to experience and connect with nature, Governor O’Malley recently signed an Executive Order establishing the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature. This coalition of state, local, private and non-profit partners is charged with promoting the well-being of youth by accelerating environmental learning, connecting communities to parks and public lands and expanding opportunities for structured and unstructured outdoor time in nature for both play and learning.

Labels: Annapolis, chesapeake bay, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, environment, martin o'malley, Maryland, oysters, Tawes State Office Building, Team, watermen, watersheds, wildlife

The Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center in Grasonville presented the 10th Annual Wade-In Festival on June 7. This free event is held annually on the first Saturday of June.

Scores of local residents joined political leaders and CBEC representatives to explore the area's native watershed habitats with guided canoe and kayak tours, trail hikes, seining, children's programs and more. They enjoyed lunch, music and a sunny day, which was a pleasant change from the recent storms.

Participants really took the water during the wade-in. It was a refreshing contrast to the high temperatures that day


This event, an informal gauge of the Bay's health, has taken place throughout the region since 1988. It was inspired by Bernie Fowler, a fisherman and retired political leader in Maryland and Calvert County.


The plan is to form a line and wade in to the point where you can't see your feet. This year, participants reached a depth of two feet at the CBEC, not as much as they would have liked but enough to keep hope alive.








Volunteer Terry Willis, Chairman of the DNR's Upper Eastern Shore
Tributary Strategy Team holds a Secchi Disk, which is used to measure water clarity.

Labels: bernie fowler, calvert county, CBEC, chesapeake bay, chesapeake bay environmental center, dick sossi, environment, frank kratovil, grasonville, judy wink, Maryland, wade-in