AUTUMN 2011
Distinguished U.S. Senators Join Conservancy Board Former U.S. Senators Paul S. Sarbanes and John W. Warner have joined the Chesapeake Conservancy’s Board of Directors as honorary members. Both Senator Sarbanes and Warner were champions of the Chesapeake Bay during their tenures representing Maryland and Virginia, respectively, in the U.S. Senate. They led the bi-partisan efforts to advance the Bay’s restoration and to create the Capt. John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and the Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails program, among other initiatives. Charlie Stek, Chairman of the Conservancy's Board said “I am delighted and honored that both Senators have joined our organization. They keenly understand the need to enhance recreational access to the Chesapeake and its great rivers and promote policies that help conserve land and the special places around the watershed. Their extensive experience, knowledge, and wise counsel will be invaluable to our efforts to improve public access and conserve the region’s lands, waters, and heritage.”
Chesapeake Conservancy 410 SEVERN AVENUE, SUITE 405 | ANNAPOLIS, MD 21403
Blackwater Refuge Expansion Supports Trail, Conserves Habitat The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has added 1,225 acres of land to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, one of the premier waterfowl refuges in the Chesapeake region. The Chesapeake Conservancy helped identify the properties and advocated for their inclusion in the refuge as well as for funds to support their purchase. The 825-acre Tidelands property is located on the Nanticoke River near Vienna, MD, and is the first acquisition within the refuge’s Nanticoke Unit. The property has significant black duck habitat and is situated on the Capt. John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. This conservation purchase protects approximately one mile of river frontage along the trail’s viewshed. A separate 400-acre property is located near the refuge’s southern boundary, and includes wetlands and dry forests, which provide habitat for migratory bird species including bald eagles, osprey, wood and black ducks as well as forest-dwelling, marsh and water birds. Both properties were high conservation priorities for the refuge and were acquired by The Conservation Fund. “These are wonderful additions to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and mark a terrific conservation milestone. We were pleased to partner with The Conservation Fund and USFWS to protect them,” said Joel Dunn, Executive
The Tidelands parcel is now part of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on the Nanticoke River.
Director of the Chesapeake Conservancy. “We greatly appreciate the leadership of the Maryland Congressional delegation, particularly Sen. Barbara Mikulski and Sen. Ben Cardin, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect these special places on one of the Chesapeake’s great rivers.” Blackwater refuge is one of Maryland’s premier outdoor tourist destinations and offers a variety of wildlife dependent recreational opportunities including hiking, paddling, wildlife viewing, hunting, fishing and crabbing. Funding for the acquisitions came from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The LWCF receives most of its revenue from the development of federally owned offshore oil and gas rights and is a critical mechanism for national investment in conservation, recreation, and historic preservation.! ONLINE AT
www.chesapeakeconservancy.org