CAMBRIDGE —–The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Dorchester Soil Conservation District and Little Blackwater Advisory Committee, will begin wetland restoration and reforestation on state-owned property near the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Dorchester County.

“Wetlands are critical to the health of our beloved Chesapeake Bay,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “These restoration efforts are essential to our future – for those who rely on waterways for their livelihoods, as well as those who enjoy them as a recreational resource. “

In June 2007, under the leadership of Governor O’Malley, Maryland acquired 728 acres of ecologically sensitive land along the Little Blackwater River that was threatened by runaway development.

“The project expands the existing agricultural ditches to create swamp runs and flood plains to better manage runoff into Maple Dam Branch, which runs along the side of the property,” said Jim Newcomb, of Dorchester Soil Conservation District. “We were pleased to provide insightful guidance to DNR to materialize our shared vision and construction plans.”

Maple Dam Branch is part of the Little Blackwater River, which flows into the Blackwater River. These two rivers and their adjacent tidal and nontidal wetlands comprise a significant portion of the watershed for the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest conservation areas in Maryland.

In addition to improving the water quality entering Maple Dam Branch and Little Blackwater River, the acquisition through DNR’s Program Open Space resulted in: protecting and enhancing existing resources and Green Infrastructure Hub, an area of focus for on-going land conservation efforts by DNR and local land trusts; improving wildlife habitat at the site; providing passive recreational opportunities for the public; and implementation of agricultural best management practices.

Labels: blackwater, cambridge, DNR, environment, green

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

ANNAPOLIS MD — Governor Martin O’Malley has proclaimed Friday, July 4^th as Take Me Fishing Day, and is encouraging Maryland citizens and visitors to take a young person out for a fun, fishing adventure on Maryland’s third and final free fishing day of 2008.

“We are committed to continuing the traditions of our parents and theirs by teaching Maryland’s children to fish, and in doing so instilling an appreciation of the past, present and future gifts of our spectacular waterways,” said Governor O’Malley. Take Me Fishing Day is an opportunity for families to bond and to help our next generation grow to become informed stewards who will continue Maryland’s rich fishing heritage.”

Maryland’s citizens have a strong connection to the state’s diverse aquatic resources, and fishing is a tradition which has been passed down through generations of Maryland anglers. Fishing is an enjoyable outdoor activity that instills a love of nature, teaching children about the importance of conservation and protection of our natural resources. Family outdoor adventures not only foster a connection with nature but also between parents and children, and provide families with an activity they can enjoy together for a lifetime.

While children under 16 do not need a license to fish in Maryland, Free Fishing Days allow those 16 and over to catch and possess finfish in the tidal and nontidal waters of the State for recreational purposes without an angler's license, Chesapeake Bay sportfishing license, or any fishing stamp normally required by the State.

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. By taking a child fishing, parents provide him or her the chance to develop ties with our waterways and reinforce the importance of sustainability in future interactions with the environment.

“Take me fishing day is one more opportunity for everyone to enjoy Maryland’s great outdoors this holiday weekend,” said the Governor.

Take Me Fishing, is sponsored by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating and thereby increase public awareness and appreciation of the need for protecting, conserving and restoring this nation's aquatic resources. RBFF is funded primarily through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For more information about fishing in Maryland, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/.

Labels: anglers, Annapolis, environment, fishing, marine habitat, martin o'malley, Maryland, 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

Head out some 20 miles off Ocean City, Md and there, at a depth of about 90 feet you will find the last stop for 44 subway cars that used to belong to the New York City subway system.

They were dropped off the morning of May 16 as part of a partnership called MARI, the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative.The drop had previously been scheduled for May 13, but the weather proved unlucky, forcing a short postponement.

As it was, things were pretty dicey for a while, thanks to some heavy rainfall the night before which raised concerns of a further cancellation. However, the rains held off, and the day was just rather gloomy. (perhaps appropriate for a "burial" at sea)

In a prepared statement, Maryland Governor Martin O‘Malley called fishing in Maryland, not only a favorite pastime, but also a cultural tradition and source of economic stimulus for local communities.

He said the commitment and accomplishments of the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative partners and the Ocean City Reef Foundation to rebuild marine habitat has been critical to renew the state's valuable fishing heritage and habitat.

This partnership includes the Foundation, MTA New York City Transit, the town of Ocean City, MD, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Marta Bremen, an administrator with the Reef Foundation, said using the cars to create fishing reefs is a great idea. Asked about concerns the process runs the risk of contamination from asbestos or lead paint, she said the cars are cleaned right down to the steel. They are just giant shells, so contamination is not an issue.

Roman Jessian of Maryland’s Coastal Bay Program said the cars will ultimately rust away, probably in about 40 years, leaving a natural reef to attract marine life in all shapes and sizes, from microscopic to larger creatures such as commercial or sport fish. He said this is a good move for the area, as artificial reefs elsewhere have proven to be an effective solution. He predicted life will start to collect in the new reef site within one to three months from the sinking of the cars.

This is the first of five planned artificial reefs off Maryland. They will eventually include about 600 retired subway cars from the Big Apple. Plans are also under discussion to sink a retired destroyer, possibly as soon as September of this year but it's not final.


Since its establishment last year, MARI has raising nearly $1.4 million to support reef projects around the state. This first dump was made possible in part by a $50,000 donation from local residents Jack and Sue Powers. Powers said they‘d seen the Bay go through a lot of changes in the 35 years they‘ve lived in the area.

“It’s been up and down for rockfish, oysters, and crabs, so we were glad to be able to support this project to save the ocean and provide a place for fish to gather.”









Additional Information

Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative
101 Ridgely Avenue, Suite 12-A, Annapolis, MD 21401
mari@ccamd.org or phone: 888-758-6580


Ocean City Reef Foundation
POB 1072, Ocean City, MD 21843
ocreef@msn.com or phone: 410-208-0064

Labels: Big Apple, Coastal Bay Program, crabs, Department of Natural Resources, environment, fishing, MARI, marine habitat, Maryland, MTA, new york city, ocean city, oysters, reef, rockfish, subway