The Maryland Natural Resource - Spring 2017

maryland department of natural resources $2

the

Maryland

natural resource Vol. 20, No. 2 I Spring 2017

ON THE COVER Then & Now: A look at mountain biking over the past 20 years

IN THIS ISSUE...

Fostering environmental stewards Lasting preservation partnerships State park opening

CONTENTS

features Mountain Biking Etiquette on the trail

The Shared Trails Mountain biking today

The Journey North Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park

natural resource

DNR 01-392017-652 3/17

customerservice.dnr@maryland.gov 410-260-8021 n 877-620-8DNR

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Dedicated to Service

16

Trout in the Classroom

18

Conserving, Protecting, Restoring

20

Osprey Watch

22

Egret

24

Poem & painting

subscribe at shopdnr.com

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From the Field

Protecting raptors and preventing outages

Maryland

Short Takes

14

NRG Chalk Point Aquaculture Center

contact us

3

Cultivating the Next Generation of Stewards

Hands-on stream health

staff

Communications Director; Editor-in-Chief Stephen Schatz Creative Services Manager; Design & Layout Lauren Mitchell Subscriptions & Distribution Stephen Badger Editorial Support Karin Dodge, Darlene Walker, Cheryl Wise

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Ask an Expert

Department News

Maryland Conservation Corps

The Maryland Natural Resource 580 Taylor Avenue, D-4 Annapolis, MD 21401

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& Aboveboard

12

Natural Resources Careers Camp

Cover photo by Ricky deLeyos Contents photo by Ekaterina Ivleva

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The Nature of Change

The Parkers Creek Preserve A land preservation success story

the

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in every issue

25

contributors

Pilantana Anderson, Burton L. Carlson Chuck Dinkel, Cindy Etgen, Dan Hudson Sara Marcinak, Lauren Mitchell Autumn PhillipsLewis, Kevin Schaus, Tina Stevens, Spring John Taylor, 2015 I Peyton Taylor, Linda Wiley, Richard Yost

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The facilities and services of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin or physical or mental disability. This document is available upon request in alternative format from a qualified individual with a disability.

Larry Hogan, Governor

Mark Belton, Secretary

Š 2017 Maryland Department of Natural Resources

ISSN 1521-9984

Spring 2017 I 1

THE NATURE OF CHANGE T

ABOVEBOARD O

ne of the great pleasures of working at Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeing the knowledge and passion about our state’s natural bounty pass from one generation to the next.

It’s evident this time of year as young Marylanders go on their first fishing trips, whether to the tranquil ponds and streams of their neighborhood or to the waters of the Chesapeake Bay or Atlantic Ocean.

Or perhaps they are recalling or looking forward to their first hunting adventures in the woods and fields. I’m proud that we at the department plays an important role in our shared culture and heritage.

We also are working to help the next generation of scientists and experts, who will help conserve those lands and waters for this and future generations. In this issue of The Maryland Natural Resource magazine, you can read about a program engaging Maryland students in a hands-on learning experience called Trout in the Classroom (page 18). This five-month journey has students

2 I The Maryland Natural Resource

tecting our natural resources, public lands and waterways. Funding will support the department’s restored aviation capability, which has proven capable of its unique mission.

I proposed restoring full funding for transfer tax-funded land conservation programs—including the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, Program Open Space and the Rural Legacy Program—that were siphoned off by previous administrations. The enhanced funding will help the department conserve and preserve more land to meet its Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goals.

The budget increases investment in our network of state parks by $3.9 million to assist with essential equipment and maintenance needs. Funding would be dedicated to hiring more seasonal employees to support the record number of visitors to our public lands, which surpassed 12 million last year!

Whether by land, sea or air, my administration is keeping its promise to secure a sustainable future for our economy, environment and society. I’m pleased to help advance and support that critical mission.

Larry Hogan Governor

ASK AN EXPERT —anne gilbert, tree-mendous director

My homeowners association is looking to plant trees on our shared property. Are there any state programs we should consider? (Dave in Davidsonville) There are two main ways that an association or other group can benefit from department programs.

The Maryland Forest Service’s Tree-Mendous offers discounted native trees for planting on public lands. If you are looking to plant on common areas or rights of way, you can use an order form to buy trees at a discounted price.

If you would like to plant on private property, Marylanders Plant Trees is a great option! You receive $25 off with a tree of retail value of $50 or more at participating nurseries. You may purchase as many trees as you’d like—you just need a coupon for each tree.

I planted a tree for Arbor Day! What now? care for and explore the life-cycle and ecology of rainbow trout, connecting students to their watershed and helping them understand the importance of becoming stewards of our streams.

Another highlight for youth learning is our Natural Resources Careers Camp (page 14), a week-long program for high school students living in and around Maryland. It focuses on helping students make well-informed decisions about potential careers and employment in the various natural resources career fields.

And finally, this issue shows us that learning about nature can be a lifelong venture. Strengthened by partnerships, the Maryland Master Naturalist Program (page 12) provides anyone interested with scientific training in the fields of natural history, ecology, interpretation and the place of humans in the natural world.

In fact, each of these valuable department offerings is conducted with partners in the education and nonprofit sectors. It’s comforting to know that new generations of Marylanders will continue our mission of enhancing, preserving, protecting and restoring our state’s bountiful natural resources.

Mark J. Belton Secretary

(Haley in Halethorpe) That’s fantastic! There are a few easy steps to ensure your tree will thrive.

Make sure you have created a ring of mulch no more than 2-3 inches thick around the tree. Think the shape of a donut and not a volcano. Mulch pushed up against the trunk can cause it to rot and the tree to die.

As summer approaches, water will be more and more important. Start with 5-10 gallons and take your time to let the water sink in; it’s worth the wait and only needs to be done once a week unless there is a severe drought.

Finally, beware of deer! New trees are like a fresh salad bar to them. Take care to use tree guards or larger shelters for protection. These won’t be needed forever, but are the best defense for young trees!

DEPARTMENT PHOTOS

here is no other state quite like Maryland. Due to our diverse terrain comprising rugged mountains, deep forests, pastoral farmlands, historic riverfronts and sandy shores, Maryland has been called America in Miniature. All of this beauty surrounds our own national treasure, the Chesapeake Bay. I’m proud of the commitment by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to preserve our state’s unique environment, heritage and history. In my proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2018, I reaffirmed my own commitment to and support of our state’s efforts and progress on conservation, enforcement and restoration.

My budget plan includes a total $51.3 million for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, reflecting the second consecutive year at full funding! The Trust Fund helps local communities and nonprofits improve the health of the bay through the use of innovative techniques and scientifically proven technologies. It only funds the most efficient and effective water quality improvement projects across the state.

I’m also excited to support a budget increase that would add 17 new Natural Resources Police officers, who are charged with pro-

Public planting in Sykesville

I’ve heard a little about Tree-Mendous. What are the specifics, and where do those trees come from? (Bernie in Berlin) Thousands of trees have been planted in local and state parks, public rights of way, shared properties and elsewhere through TreeMendous, which consists of three different parts.

One is a coordinated network that connects interested volunteers with events throughout the state. Another is the Gift of Trees, through which anyone can donate $40 to fund a tree to be planted in memory, honor or celebration of a person or event. Lastly, of course, is the aforementioned order form that provides trees at a discounted price for planting on public lands.

The discount comes from working with a wholesale nursery to provide the lowest price possible in order to get more trees on public lands! Our new partnership with Clear Ridge Nursery provides high quality native trees sourced from the mid-Atlantic region.

The trees are sustainably grown from seeds in Carroll County using irrigation monitoring technology, which reduces water usage as much as possible, while providing each tree with what it needs to grow.

Send YOUR questions for our experts to news.dnr@maryland.gov

Spring 2017 I 3

SHORT TAKES

DEPARTMENT NEWS DUANE TUCKER

ANTHONY DEPANISE

DEPARTMENT PHOT

MD SEAFOOD

Pocomoke River State Park

New State Park Reservation System

Prepared by Chef Keith Long

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes (Serves 4) Ingredients 1/4 cup Dijon mustard 1 cup mayonnaise 1/8 cup panko 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tbsp J.O. #1 (seasoning)

1 whole eggs 1 lb fresh jumbo lump crab meat 2 cloves roasted garlic 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp olive oil 1 fresh Italian black truffle (optional)

Instructions: In a mixing bowl, whisk egg, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce and J.O. #1. Gently fold in jumbo lump meat; be careful not to break up the meat. Add the panko while folding in the crab. Carefully form the mix into four even cakes. Mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise with roasted garlic in a separate bowl and set aside. Sauté the cakes at a medium/low heat in oil and butter mix on each side until they are fully cooked through the middle.

Plating: Place a spoonful of the garlic mayonnaise in the middle of a plate and place crab cake on top. Shave paper thin slices of the truffle and arrange them on top of the crab cake.

Maryland State Park reservation services are transitioning to a new website starting at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 3, 2017. The Department of Natural Resources contracted with a new vendor, CAMIS, a company with 17 years of experience providing reservation solutions throughout North America.

Customers preparing trips to Maryland’s vast network of 72 state parks will be able to make reservations for more than 2,500 campsites, 38 cabins, picnic shelters and other lodging options by: • Visiting parkreservations.maryland.gov • Calling 1-888-432-2267 or 1-866-804-7846 (TTY/TDD) or 1-410-500-9901 (international) between 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

For Maryland park reservations, transaction fees will be reduced to $6.25 per reservation and $4.75 per transaction to cancel or change at most parks.* Existing reservations will be transferred to the new system.

There will be a brief reservation blackout period from March 28 -April 2, while the systems are transitioned. *Separate charges apply for Assateague State Park.

2017 PHOTO CONTEST ENTER BY AUG. 31 ONLINE OR MAIL-IN

WIN BIG!

dnr.maryland.gov 4 I The Maryland Natural Resource

Former Delegate Haddaway-Riccio, Capt. Meredith and Lt. Gov. Rutherford

Backyard deer

Waterman Named Admiral of the Chesapeake

Deer Harvest Results Up from Previous Year

Gov. Larry Hogan named Kent Island resident Capt. Eldridge Meredith Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay, a prestigious lifetime achievement award for an individual’s extraordinary commitment to the conservation and restoration of the watershed.

Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford presented the award Feb. 23, which was also Meredith’s 91st birthday.

“Capt. Meredith has spent a lifetime on one of America’s most treasured resources,” said Rutherford. “His unwavering commitment and dedication to the Chesapeake Bay, which is both his home and livelihood, makes him the quintessential waterman and worthy of this prestigious honor.”

A third-generation Queen Anne’s County waterman and charter boat captain, Meredith has worked in and around the bay for 80 years. He docks his charter boat, the Island Queen II, at his pier in Grasonville on the Eastern Shore.

“As a business owner, charter boat captain, entrepreneur and veteran, Capt. Meredith is the quintessential Chesapeake Bay waterman,” said Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton. “It is truly an honor to recognize his many selfless contributions to his community, state and nation.”

Instituted by Gov. J. Millard Tawes in 1959, the Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay title has gone to prominent individuals from various pursuits including sailors, journalists, shipwrights, watermen, conservationists, elected officials and many others. Capt. Meredith’s nomination was reviewed and recommended by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Maryland hunters harvested 85,193 deer during the combined archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons, which ran Sept. 9, 2016 through Jan. 31, 2017. The harvest exceeded the 2015-2016 total by more than 1,000 deer.

Included in the statewide total were 7,684 deer taken on Sundays open for deer hunting, representing an increase of 19 percent compared to last year.

“Our Sunday harvest continues to grow as hunters take advantage of additional weekend days to spend in the woods,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. “This growth is remarkable considering some counties have only one Sunday open to hunting in firearm season, and three of our highest deer density counties have no Sunday hunting at all.”

Included in the yearly count were: 29,042 antlered and 53,318 antlerless white-tailed deer; and 1,284 antlered and 1,549 antlerless sika deer.

The harvest in Garrett, Allegany and western Washington counties decreased 8 percent, from 9,190 to 8,490 deer. These hunters reported 5,067 antlered and 3,423 antlerless deer.

Hunters in the remainder of the state harvested 76,703 deer, up 3 percent from last year’s 74,832. From this year’s total, 25,259 antlered and 51,444 antlerless deer were reported in this area.

Frederick County led the harvest totals again this year with 7,556 deer, followed by Carroll County at 5,663 and Baltimore County with 5,367. Complete deer harvest results by county can be found online.

dnr.maryland.gov

dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife

Spring 2017 I 5

THEN...

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Spring 2017 I 7

RICKY DELEYOS

JO MARALIT

RICKY DELEYOS

...NOW

Yellow Trail at Gambrill

THE SHARED TRAILS MOUNTAIN BIKING TODAY

T

he notion that the journey should be as important (and as fun!) as the destination is a timeless adage. And one that pretty much defines mountain biking!

Specialized Bicycle Company’s first production mountain bike in 1981, the Stumpjumper, marks the introduction of the sport to a wider audience.

In this publication’s inaugural year, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources was found balancing a rapid rise in mountain biking popularity with minimal environmental impact. Commitment to both interests paved the way to the successful network of trails detailed below.

Where can you ride?

Unless otherwise posted, trails managed by the department are available for all muscle-powered uses: hiking and running, horseback riding, skiing and snowshoeing, and bicycling.

Note some important exceptions! For example, the Appalachian Trail is for foot travel only. State-designated Wildlands share federal restrictions on mechanized travel. If you’re unsure of access policies for a specific trail, stop by an area office.

As most of these trails are shared-use, there’s a good chance you will encounter

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a hiker or equestrian. A general rule of thumb is “hikers yield to horses, bicycles yield to all.” Even better than any rule is to remember everyone is on the trail to have fun, and to just greet your fellow travellers with a smile and a, “Hey!”

The gear In many ways, going for a ride is much like going for a hike. Remember to bring water and a snack. Wear sensible shoes and clothing, and apply a little bug spray and sunblock. While adults are not required to wear a helmet, it’s always a good idea on a bicycle regardless of riding on road, paved trail or backcountry single-track.

As for your mount itself, bikes have come a long way since that first Stumpjumper! In fact, there is a good chance you’ll walk away dizzy the first time you visit your local bike shop. Front suspen-

By Dan Hudson

sion, full suspension or no suspension? 12, 20 or even 30-speed? How many different wheel sizes are there?

But don’t let that discourage you.

While a fatter knobby-tire helps beginners, the most important thing you need in order to try mountain biking is a positive attitude and spirit of adventure.

Specific trails across the state To let you in on a little secret, you don’t need mountains to go mountain biking!

While it’s too late to change it, a better name would be single-track biking.

Flowing along narrow dirt trails and getting in rhythm with the landscape is really what it’s all about—that whole journey thing again. n dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands Dan Hudson is the Maryland Park Service’s trail manager.

JOIN THE MOUNTAIN BIKING FAMILY The best way to become a better rider is to ride more and ride with others so you can pick up their skills. The following local clubs—all of which partner with the department—offer led-rides and clinics, and host volunteer trail maintenance events.

Eastern Shore International Mountain Biking Association esimba.org Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts more-mtb.org Southern Maryland Mountain Bikers ridesmmb.org Trail Spinners at Elk Neck, Fair Hill, Susquehanna and in Delaware trailspinners.org

Opposite and above: Perimeter Trail at Rosaryville

WESTERN REGION

SOUTHERN REGION

With an amazing vista over the lake, this park has always offered a good destination at the end of a walk. Now it claims status as one of the best journeys in the state as well! Upon completion of major trail restoration, the new routes offer amazing single-track that may make you forget for a moment the view. Above the campground, Beckman’s Trail on the lower slopes is a great introduction. For more rocks and elevation, extend the loop onto Indian Turnip; going clockwise is the most fun.

Building on the success of Schaeffer Farms, the same partnership teamed up again to create the Perimeter Loop at Rosaryville. With some sections feeling akin to a rollercoaster through the forest, it is a great place for intermediates to gain confidence. Be sure to bring water—there is no good shortcut back to the trailhead and one loop is 10 miles!

CENTRAL REGION

POCOMOKE RIVER

DEEP CREEK LAKE

FAIR HILL

The former DuPont Estate in Maryland’s northeast corner has long been a favorite destination for hikers and equestrians. No surprise then that mountain bikers flock here too. Staff has made the intricate 80+ miles of trail easy to explore. Each major section features a blazed carriage trail loop: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green and Blue. Pick a color and explore its interior trails to create your own adventure.

PATAPSCO VALLEY The granddaddy for mid-Atlantic mountain bikers, Patapsco is probably the single most popular venue in the state. Regardless of modality, this park has it all—paved trails, quiet walks, short interpretive loops and all-day backcountry single-track adventures.

While the Avalon Area may be more renowned, consider making McKeldin your first stop. Well-marked and maintained, these trails are ideal for newcomers. More experienced enthusiasts can hop on the White-blazed Thru Trail.

SENECA CREEK The Schaeffer Farms Area is a cooperative development between the department and Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts. Built by and for mountain bikers, it is especially fun on two wheels. Configured as a stack of loops, Schaeffer’s trails allow first-time and experienced bicyclists alike to have a great time. If you’re looking for a super-sized adventure, research the MoCo Epic.

ROSARYVILLE

EASTERN SHORE Pocomoke has a different personality depending on which side of the river you visit. Shad Landing to the south is more developed and includes the marina and park office. Milburn Landing to the north is quieter and more focused on what nature inherently provides.

The trails echo this character. Downstream of the Shad entrance is a series of loops developed from former timber access routes. More rustic and basic, the long-distance Algonquin Trail heads north from Milburn Landing on a 13-mile cross-country adventure. (Please note: Due to the tick population, you may want to avoid this one at the height of summer.)

TUCKAHOE Much like Patapsco but on a much smaller scale, Tuckahoe offers a bit of everything. A new, two-mile surfaced trail starts from Adkins Arboretum.

If that is too tame, drop into the Tuckahoe Valley Trail passing between the arboretum and Tuckahoe Creek. Too tame still? Go all out and do a circumnavigation of the park, crossing Tuckahoe Creek via Pee Wee’s Trail. The outermost loop is approximately 10 miles.

find more info about these trails and others across the state using the interactive trail atlas , available by clicking on maps at dnr . maryland . gov

Spring 2017 I 9

Araminta “Minty” Ross was born into slavery in 1822 and gained international acclaim as an Underground Railroad agent, abolitionist, Civil War spy and nurse, suffragist and humanitarian.

She changed her name to Harriet upon her marriage to John Tubman, a free black man, in 1844. Faced with being sold to settle her dead master’s debts in 1849, she seized liberation instead. Traveling by night, she found her way through Delaware to freedom in Philadelphia. There, she found work in domestic service and saved money for her family’s escape.

Despite facing certain death if captured, Tubman successfully ferried approximately 70 people to freedom by 1860. Through detailed instructions, she enabled dozens more to find their way north independently.

Her passion for equality drove her to challenge women’s and AfricanAmerican’s inferior political, economic and social roles. Her humanitarian work triumphed with the opening of a nursing home for aging AfricanAmericans on her own land in Auburn, New York, where she passed away on March 10, 1913.

The visitor center’s bioretention ponds, rain barrels and vegetative roofs earned a silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. Inside, the layout deliberately represents the northbound journey.

The Journey North Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park

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Compiled by Lauren Mitchell; photos courtesy of the Maryland Park Service and Visit Maryland

mong the wooded marsh in a small town called Church Creek sits Maryland’s newest state park, honoring the life and legacy of Dorchester County’s own Harriet Tubman.

In March 2013, several hundred supporters joined state officials as they broke ground for the 17-acre Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center, commemorating the legendary abolitionist.

At its grand opening weekend exactly four years later, the park opened to honored dignitaries, devoted partners and a receptive public.

Here on these grounds that Tubman so bravely traversed, her valor lives on to encourage those who need encouraging, to defend those who need defending, and to care for those who need caring. n dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands Lauren Mitchell is the department’s graphic designer and publications manager.

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From left: Maryland Park Service Superintendent Nita Settina, State Treasurer Nancy Kopp, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, State Senator Adelaide Eckardt, State Comptroller Peter Franchot, Gov. Larry Hogan, Harriet Tubman re-enactor Millicent Sparks, Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, National Park Service Northeast Region Deputy Director Rose Fennell, Dorchester County Council President Ricky Travers

The Maryland Park Service and the National Park Service jointly manage and operate the park and visitor center. Several other organizations also make this experience possible, including the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway and the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.

The permanent, interpretive displays focus on Tubman and the Underground Railroad resistance movement from a local and regional perspective.

Tubman learned to navigate the surrounding natural swamps, waterways, wetlands and upland forests both as a child in search of nearby family and as a slave working farms and harvesting timber. The survival techniques honed here contributed greatly to her strength and success.

Within the park, landscaping materials include native plants to the Eastern Shore. Lawns are a combination of mowed and un-mowed grasses to recall the farm fields common to the area.

The park’s legacy garden offers an open, quiet space bounded by a network of paths.

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O

Early days

A pristine example Since our formation, the American Chestnut Land Trust has embraced the values of sustainability and environmental awareness. Thanks to that and the dedication of the Department of Natural Resources, the Parkers Creek watershed is more than 70 percent forested and contains less than 4 percent impervious surfaces, despite encompassing half of the town of Prince Frederick. Water quality monitoring by scientists and volunteers indicates that it is one of the healthiest streams on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

The surrounding land is largely protected, but that doesn’t mean that we aren’t striving for an even healthier system. Our recently formed science committee examines ways to determine the overall biodiversity within the preserve, establishing where more could be done to further improve the health of the system and assess which efforts work over time. We also hope to work with businesses and landowners near the headwaters of the watershed to mitigate the effects of stormwater runoff before it reaches our streams. By using science to constantly improve the ways we care for the land, the Parkers Creek Preserve serves as a model for watershed-level conservation and stewardship.

Public engagement Another result from this great partnership is access to enhanced outdoor recreation.

The Prince Frederick to Bay Trail is the ulti-

mate collaboration of efforts, as it allows hikers to travel from the center of Prince Frederick across church, state, county and trust-owned properties all the way to the Chesapeake Bay. The preserve’s newest trail—the North-South—connects communities on both sides of Parkers Creek.

These trail systems, which have always been separated by water, are now linked via two new miles of pathway and a raft that allows hikers a unique way to cross the creek.

With a motto of connecting people with the land, we provide a multitude of ways for the community to experience the preserve. In addition to 22 miles of hiking trails and guided canoe trips, we also offer a sustainable agricultural program including a one-acre volunteer-run farm, educational garden and food forest. The majority of the naturally grown produce is donated to a local food pantry. Guided visits are of-

fered to school and youth groups for both the farm and the preserve as a whole.

The Parkers Creek Preserve is also a favorite of outdoorsmen and women who help manage the deer herd. This is critical for maintaining a diverse and healthy ecosystem. Public hunters who meet the state requirements may hunt deer on department-owned lands during archery, shotgun and muzzleloader seasons.

A variety of other educational, athletic and volunteer events help people get involved in meaningful ways. Whether it’s competing in a triathlon, improving wildlife habitat or completing the Maryland Master Naturalist training program, there is something for everyone to experience and enjoy here. n

Autumn Phillips-Lewis is a conservation biologist and the land manager at the American Chestnut Land Trust.

THE PARKERS CREEK PRESERVE A land preservation success story

MARYLAND MASTER NATURALISTS are interested, ecologically aware people who have successfully completed a fun but rigorous natural history training program. Each year, they devote 40 volunteer hours participating in citizen science efforts, teaching classes, leading field trips and sharing their enthusiasm for our natural areas and the life forms that occupy them. Learn more at dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife.

acltweb.org

By Autumn Phillips-Lewis

TONY PUCCIARELLA

In December 1986, a group of conservation-minded citizens pledged their own time and funds to protect the initial 436acre wooded tracts where our South Side trail system is now located. Over the next seven years, dedicated members and volunteers conserved more than 200 additional acres before purchasing our first property on the northern side in 1994. It was then that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Nature Conservancy formed a partnership with us that spurred the protection of all of the land immediately surrounding this beautiful and ecologically valuable waterway.

wildlife such as beavers, bald eagles and otters. Parkers Creek has been called the Chesapeake Bay in miniature as it ranges from brackish tidal water to forested headwater streams. Vegetation along the sinuous main stem also changes in response to the varying salinity concentrations.

LAND TRUST PHOTOS

n the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, there is a place where you can paddle through 2 miles of tidal marsh and see no signs of human development; where you can explore 20 miles of hiking trails through 3,000 acres of permanently protected woodlands and see native wildlife and plants flourish. This place is known as the Parkers Creek Preserve, and it is a testament to powerful partnerships and successful land conservation.

The American Chestnut Land Trust—a small non-profit dedicated to protecting land within Calvert County watersheds— manages the entire preserve including the nearly 1,000 acres it has purchased for conservation.

Hikers on the Prince Frederick to the Bay Trail

A lasting partnership As this publication celebrates its 20th anniversary, we celebrate our partnership with the department, which has lasted nearly as long. In 1995, the department began purchasing properties on each side of the creek—making up what is now the Parkers Creek Wildlife Management Area—with the understanding that our staff and volunteers would manage the day-to-day operations of the preserve.

Today, the land is a mosaic of properties protected not only by us, but also through Calvert County land preservation programs and by private property owners.

The unique ecology of its nearly pristine wetlands and forests supports an array of rare, threatened and endangered species, as well as some of our favorite

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Volunteers harvesting lettuce

The creek from the air

Paddlers on the creek

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PHOTOS BY GABRIELLE OLDHAM

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers many educational programs to foster an environmental interest that young people can potentially turn into careers. The next few pages introduce two of them: the Natural Resources Careers Camp for teens and the Maryland Conservation Corps for high school graduates. Then, we’ll take a look inside middle school classrooms, where students raise and release trout to learn about water quality.

Climbing into the canopy with the help of tree care professionals

CULTIVATING

THE NEXT GENERATION OF STEWARDS Natural Resources Careers Camp

By Kevin Schaus

N

estled in the lush, cool mountains of Western Maryland near the town of Accident, the Natural Resources Careers Camp has quietly carved out an important niche in the region’s environmental education landscape for more than 40 years.

Held each July at the Hickory Environmental Education Center, this weeklong program is designed for high school students living in and around Maryland. It focuses on providing all the tools necessary to make well-informed decisions about potential careers in natural resources.

Camp curriculum Students participate in a broad range of fun, hands-on activities that help demonstrate the diverse employment opportunities available within the field.

“My fondest memory is hearing the night sounds program for the first time. I have never heard a more entertaining pro-

14 I The Maryland Natural Resource

gram—it never gets old,” says Marie Miller, logistics director and former participant.

Guest professionals from many natural resource backgrounds help with the activities, but are also there to provide advice and guidance.

Representatives typically include employees from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Department of the Environment, Pepco, Davey Tree Service, Bartlett Tree Experts, Verso Paper and consultant foresters, among others.

“College night has always been the highlight of the week for me. The best educational programs in the region are represented on that night,” says Program Director Steve Resh.

Colleges that attend typically include Allegany College of Maryland, Frostburg State University, Garrett College, University of Maryland, Penn State University, Virginia Tech and West Virginia University. .

Activities include collecting forest data, climbing and pruning trees, designing wildlife habitat, creating a map using geographic information and positioning systems, shocking fish, sampling stream macroinvertebrates, identifying trees and soil types, chainsaw safety, using a crosscut saw, developing a forest management plan, various wildlife presentations, career night, college night and more.

It is not all learning and career development, however. Each day, students have some well-deserved free time to hang out with their new friends, go on a hike, play sports or just relax.

The camp culminates with the students developing and presenting a forest management plan. The structured curriculum prepares them to successfully take on this challenge with the help of their counselor—usually a current Allegany Col-

lege forestry student. Even those predisposed to natural resources quickly realize that there is much more to learn than they thought.

Fork in the road

For more information, please visit marylandforestryboards.com or contact your local forestry board. Follow the camp on Facebook and Twitter @NRCCMaryland. If you are a past participant, please email Kevin at kevin.a.schaus@gmail.com to be added to the alumni network.

After attending the program as a counselor, it is hard to overstate its value. It provides a unique service—the only one in the region and is in select company nationally. “Where else are they going to get this information before they’re in college?” asks Camp Director Gabrielle Oldham.

It’s a good point. There are websites and videos with general information about different aspects of natural resources, but relatively few places where a student can learn about both the science and the career options, and even fewer that actually provide hands-on experience and access to real professionals.

Most students don’t know exactly what they want to do after high school. Many make major decisions based on what they think they might like or what their parents think is reasonable. The camp offers a chance to get definitive answers to their questions so they can more confidently make those decisions before graduating.

Take it from me, a 29-year-old college sophomore. If I had attended this camp when I was in high school, I may not have gone down a different 10-year path before realizing natural resources is Counselor Kevin Schaus (top left) with crew after forest inventory where I belong.

The camp is a bargain, even compared with generic overnight summer programs. In most cases, tuition for in-state students is paid through a scholarship offered by the local forestry board or area organizations, typically leaving at most a $125 activity fee.

Making a difference Each year, students walk away with a real and lasting impact.

Many alumni currently hold prominent natural resource positions, and many more gain significant life experiences. Recalling a student with Asperger’s syndrome, Oldham states, “He got along very well and tried things out of his comfort zone.” Later on, she received a letter from his mother. “She said her son came back from camp a changed kid. He got himself a job with a landscaping company, and he enrolled in the natural resource vocational program through his high school. It was the most wonderful letter Students planting a sweetbay magnolia tree I have ever received.”

What you can do Whether you work in natural resources or just enjoy learning about conservation, fishing, forestry, hunting or wildlife, please spread the word about the Natural Resources Careers Camp. It is a valuable part of environmental education in the region and could be even more valuable if more students and parents are aware of all it offers. As Steve Resh puts it, “If a high school student is interested in natural resources, even a little, attending this camp is a no-brainer.” n dnr.maryland.gov/trees Kevin Schaus is a Mel Noland Fellowship recipient working to expand the impact of the Natural Resources Careers Camp. The fellowship is made possible through the Rural Maryland Council and Maryland Forestry Foundation.

Students learning about the wide variety of fish species found in a healthy stream

Spring 2017 I 15

DEPARTMENT PHOTOS

KEY BENEFITS

• Biweekly Living Allowance • Education Award of $5,815 upon successful completion of the program • Health Insurance • Student Loan Deferment • Training and Certifications in: Emergency Medical Response, Wildland Fire Fighting, Chain Saw Use, Environmental Education • Work Experience

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be 17-25 years of age • Must be a U.S. Citizen • High School Diploma or GED • Willingness to work as a member of a team • Willingness to work outdoors • Ability to camp for up to a week at a time The next program begins this September and ends in early August 2018. For more information or to apply, please visit dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands and click on Maryland Conservation Corps.

Bay grass planting

Patapsco crew

DEDICATED TO SERVICE Maryland Conservation Corps

E

ach year a new team of young adults from diverse backgrounds unite to work toward the common goal of improving public lands.

These 17-25 year-olds make up the heart of the Maryland Conservation Corps, which is managed by the Maryland Park Service and partially funded by an AmeriCorps grant through the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism.

For more than 30 years, members have worked to maintain and improve state parks, restore the Chesapeake Bay and educate others about the importance of environmental stewardship.

Under the supervision of crew leaders and park rangers, members work in an assigned state park in teams of five to seven.

There are currently seven crews around the state. During the 10-month program, they are involved in a variety of projects, including maintaining biking and hiking trails, removing invasive species, planting trees or working on park improvement projects. Occasionally, all of the crewmembers gather together for training or large-scale projects.

16 I The Maryland Natural Resource

By Sara Marcinak and Tina Stevens

Conservation efforts The Maryland Conservation Corps was established in 1984 as an initiative to help restore the Chesapeake Bay. That foundation remains an integral part of the program. Throughout their service, members may find themselves working alongside department staff from the Chesapeake and Coastal Service to plant thousands of bay grasses or restore a stream. They may also have the opportunity to work with staff from the National Aquarium to lead volunteers in tree planting projects. By the end, they have planted several thousand trees and native plants to improve riparian buffers, control erosion and help improve water quality.

One of the major projects that members have been participating in for the past five years involves proactively trying to save a

keystone forest species: the hemlock tree.

These magnificent giants have been seized by the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid, an insect that can kill the tree and devastate the ecosystem. In a cooperative agreement with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, crewmembers receive pesticide applicator training so they can inoculate hemlocks against the deadly bug. To date, they have treated more than 30,000 trees!

In 2016, members participated in a similar project focused on protecting ash trees. The Maryland Forest Service partnered with the corps and used a similar pesticide application technique to help save specimen ash trees from damage caused by the emerald ash borer, another destructive invasive insect.

Members will continue to work on pro-

The Conservation Jobs Corps works in partnership with community youth organizers to provide service opportunities, team building and natural resource career skills.

Email frederick.banks@maryland.gov for additional details.

tecting ash and hemlock trees in on public lands again this spring.

Park improvements The Maryland Park Service has seen an incredible increase in visitation over the past decade, creating an urgent need for critical and everyday maintenance projects.

Corps members play an important role in helping staff with these projects and keeping facilities tidy for visitors. They learn how to safely operate chain saws so they can clear and maintain trails, as well as basic carpentry skills in order to build new picnic tables, bulletin boards, campsites and foot bridges. They also engage in a number of habitat restoration projects in parks such as removing invasive plants, creating pollinator gardens, monitoring wildlife populations and assisting with prescribed burns.

In addition, crewmembers receive training in a variety of environmental education curricula and have the opportunity to teach environmental programs to school groups and park visitors. Many assist with programs using live animals from the popular Scales and Tales program.

They also mentor teenagers who are enrolled in a summer park program similar to theirs called the Conservation Jobs Corps.

Life-changing experience The Maryland Conservation Corps program is a great way for young adults to learn team-building skills while gaining hands-on experience and certifications.

Current member Tyler Walker describes his experience as, “everything I hoped for and more. I’ve gotten to meet many great people with whom I most likely would never have crossed paths. Having a crew alongside you encourages you to bring out the best in each other. I’ve learned more working in the field than in any college course.”

People join the program for different reasons, be it a personal interest, passion for the outdoors or a way to gain work experience. Others join to be part of the national service program and earn an education award, which can be used for student loans or future tuition costs. Many graduates go on to become park rangers or managers in the environmental field. Whatever the motivating factor is for joining the Maryland Conservation Corps, most participants are inspired to serve others and make a positive contribution to the environment. n

Merkle crew

dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands Ranger Sara Marcinak is the Corps’ administrative specialist and Ranger Tina Stevens is the program manager.

Scales and Tales showing

Spring 2017 I 17

PHOTOS BY CHUCK DINKEL

TROUT IN THE

CLASSROOM Hands-on stream health

By Cindy Etgen and Chuck Dinkel

Student adding bacteria to tank

K

amloops… What a funny word to introduce to an elementary student; or a middle or high school student for that matter. And what does it have to do with teaching about water quality? Kamloops is a variety of the rainbow trout, a fish in the Salmonidae family. Fertilized Kamloops trout eggs are the hook to engaging Maryland students in a hands-on learning experience called Trout in the Classroom. This five-month journey includes science, technology, engineering, math, social studies, language arts, fine arts and more as they care for and explore the life cycle and ecology of rainbow trout.

Student engagement Connecting students to their watershed and helping them understand the importance of becoming stewards of Maryland streams is fairly easy when you are using something as cool as raising fish in a classroom! Think of trout as an aquatic version of a canary in the coal mine: they are sensitive to pollution,

giving us an early warning that something may not be right in an aquatic system.

Learning that what humans do on the land affects water quality and everything that lives in and around the water is an important part of this program.

Students observe and monitor their fish from eggs to fry to fingerlings. On a daily basis, they measure and log a number of water quality parameters. As the fish grow, they carefully determine the amount of food to feed them. The fish and the program have become so popular in some schools that students have set up websites, blogs and video cams of their tanks for real-time viewing. Weekly updates on the progress of the hatchlings are broadcast on school radio and television programs, and appear on signs throughout the school.

Enthusiastic teachers The success of this program is driven by the excitement of amazing teachers who bring innovative science and environmental programs into their classrooms.

fresh water in comparison to that of the school’s relatively small 55-gallon tank.”

They also conduct a stream study, looking for and identifying macroinvertebrates, or the bugs that fish feed on. Other activities might include fly-casting, tying demonstrations, a scavenger hunt, geo-caching, stream cleanups or hatchery tours.

“We are looking forward to releasing the trout in May,” says Gray, “but it’s a bittersweet experience. I suppose all good things must come to an end. The good news for me is that we’ll do it again next year! Even though it’s the end of an experience for my students, the knowledge will forever be a part of their memories in Mrs. Gray’s class!”

Making it all happen Maryland’s Trout in the Classroom is part of a national program organized by the nonprofit Trout Unlimited. For the 2016-17 school year, 86 schools and environmental education centers in 12 counties and

Baltimore City are participating. Some of these schools have more than one teacher involved in the program, so although there are 86 sites, there are actually 106 tanks being monitored by Maryland students!

That being said, volunteer hours are crucial to success. Trout Unlimited’s mid-Atlantic Council oversees program operation and provides funding, while trained volunteers provide technical support during the school year (eggs, food, permits and tanks) and help conduct the release events.

Trout Unlimited partners with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to obtain fertilized Kamloops eggs, trout food and the required permits for the teachers. Fisheries biologists respond to teacher and volunteer questions, and also conduct hatchery tours.

In collaboration with Hood College Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies, the department’s Chesapeake and Coastal Service provides content workshops for the teachers and lesson plans on trout and their ecosystems. Aquatic Resources Education Grants provide funding for schools that need help with equipment and transportation.

Each year the program continues to expand, adding a new group of dedicated teachers and more excited students to the list of those who are learning how to protect and preserve our streams and waterways. And they are having fun in the process! Three cheers for Kamloops! n dnr.maryland.gov/ccs Cindy Etgen is the department’s aquatic resources education section chief.

Chuck Dinkel is a Trout in the Classroom coordinator.

Tour at the hatchery

Student conducting a water chemical test at the release

Kate Gray’s class putting eggs into the breeder basket

Identifying macros at Catoctin Creek Newly spawned trout

18 I The Maryland Natural Resource

They spend a great deal of their own time attending workshops, showing students how to care for the fish and tank, and how to incorporate lessons into everyday science curriculum.

“The Trout in the Classroom Program has made a tremendous impact on me,” says Orchard Grove Elementary School fifth grade teacher Kate Gray. “I am amazed at the amount of academic knowledge my students have acquired, along with learning some very profound life lessons.”

Each spring, teachers plan a trout release event and celebration where students apply what they have learned. They compare the water quality of the stream where they are releasing their fingerlings to the water in the tank where they raised them.

For David Adamiak’s Urbana Middle School students, the visit to the Albert Powell State Fish Hatchery near Hagerstown is an eye-opening experience. He says, “They are shocked to see the difference in size! After discussion, they realize the i m por t a nc e of clean,

Fingerlings at release

Collecting macros at Owens Creek

Fishing at the release day

Spring 2017 I 19

JAY

FL

EM

I

NG

Aquaculture Center

By Pilantana Anderson

Public outreach

NRG Energy is a power company with aquaculture facilities at its Aquasco station on the Patuxent River. The facility provides extensive grow out services and supplies to assist in various fish culture operations.

T

he aquaculture center at NRG Energy’s Chalk Point Generating Station was built in 1987 to support the Maryland Department of Natural Resources striped bass restoration activities.

It produced approximately 3.6 million striped bass between 1985-2000.

Out of those 3.6 million, 2.5 million were tagged and released into the Chesapeake Bay. The rest were used for research or recreational stocking in lakes and reservoirs. Today, the rockfish raised at the center are used for research, education or stocking.

Expanding efforts Since 1991, Chalk Point has included American and hickory shad restoration efforts, with targets set for the Tuckahoe, Choptank, Patuxent and the Patapsco rivers. Hundreds of thousands of shad fingerlings are released into these rivers each year. In the past, the center has raised yel-

low perch, large mouth bass, blue-back herring and alewife for various restoration and stocking programs.

“The original purpose of the aquaculture facility was to culture striped bass juveniles for restoration stocking and research,” says Maryland Fish Health and Hatcheries Program Manager Brian Richardson. “That recovery provided an opportunity to expand the scope of the facility through culture of other species that would benefit the Chesapeake Bay as a whole.”

Sturgeon success Research and restoration on the Atlantic sturgeon began in 2004. As of this past fall, Chalk Point has raised approximately 200 Atlantic sturgeon of the Canadian, Hudson River and Chesapeake Bay strains.

Maryland Anadromous Restoration Program Manager Chuck Stence explains, “NRG currently houses more than 30 adult Atlantic sturgeon, each weighing in excess

of 60 pounds. The sturgeon are cultured in indoor tanks, then moved to earthen ponds in the winter. These culture activities are a tremendous achievement and crucial to ensure the continued success of ongoing restoration projects.”

Currently, the department and its partners work with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and National Marine Fisheries Service to continue with conservation efforts under the current Endangered Species Act listing status.

“Maryland maintains the only Atlantic sturgeon captive brood restoration project in the United States,” explains Richardson.

“NRG cultures the majority of the captive brood stock at Chalk Point. This collaboration has generated important information, from nutrition to surgical techniques to maturity. This research is critical to the success of the sturgeon restoration and invaluable to researchers coast wide.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NRG

This prehistoric fish is often included in hatchery tours and live fish exhibits to further educate the public about the importance of healthy fisheries.

The outreach program has grown considerably over the past decade. Each year, Chalk Point participates in various events by either displaying a live fish exhibit or setting up an educational station. These exhibits are especially popular with students with an interest in marine life, aquaculture and environmental preservation.

A naturalist with the Watkins Nature Center, Paula McNeil says, “The aquaculture center has allowed our summer day camp children to see an endangered species up close and personal; a much better experience than going to the zoo or an aquarium!”

Among the long-term supporters of NRG’s outreach and aquaculture program are the Calvert Marine Museum, Watkins Nature Center, Morgan State University Patuxent Environmental and Aquatic Research Laboratory, Starmaker Learning Center and St. Mary’s River Project.

“Over the years, I have seen a lot of partnerships that seem to be in name only,” says Dave Sien, manager of the Joseph Manning Hatchery. “They often fade before the press release does, but this partnership is a unique, cooperative effort that has spanned decades.”

The rewards of fish restoration and educating the public are endless. For NRG staff, knowing that the fish raised at Chalk Point from larval stage are now thriving in the rivers is an awe-inspiring feeling. It is the hope of the department and NRG that this program continues to thrive well into the future. n dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries

Department biologists seining a pond

20 I The Maryland Natural Resource

PHOTOS BY CHUCK DINKEL

Conserving,NRGProtecting, Restoring Chalk Point

Pilantana Anderson is the Chalk Point Aquaculture Center director.

ATLANTIC STURGEON Distribution Atlantic sturgeon occur along the Atlantic coast from Labrador, Canada to Florida and west to the Mississippi delta. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Chesapeake Bay supported the second greatest caviar fishery in the United States. By the end of the 19th century, however, high harvest rates drastically reduced what once were abundant, healthy stocks. A small spawning population still exists in Virginia’s James and York rivers, but spawning is not known to occur in Maryland waters.

Fishing status Chesapeake Bay Atlantic sturgeon are now listed as a federally endangered species and catch or possession is strictly prohibited.

Habitat and spawning Adults spend most of their lives at sea, only entering freshwater in the spring to spawn.

Females spawn just once every 2-6 years, so recruitment is low even though individual females produce up to 2 million eggs. These large, black eggs are released into the water and fertilized by males, then sink to the bottom to attach to substrate.

Juveniles spend several years in large freshwater rivers, or they may move down into more brackish waters before becoming migratory. As sub-adults, they then move into coastal waters to mature. Little information exists concerning the movements of Atlantic sturgeon once they reach the ocean.

Note: Virtually all Atlantic sturgeon observed in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay since 1955 have been sub-adults 1-5 feet in length. Genetic analysis has determined these fish to be migrants from other southern and northern coastal stocks.

Fun fact Sturgeons are members of the ancient Acipenseridae family, and have been on earth since the Cretaceous period more than 120 million years ago. Early settlers reported huge schools leaping from rivers and referred to them as navigational hazards. In fact, an American Revolutionary soldier had his leg broken by a 10-footer that leaped into his boat as he rowed across the Potomac at Georgetown.

Spring 2017 I 21

A winning balance

How can you help?

To notify BGE about a nest, please take the following steps: • Report the location via ospreywatch@bge.com.

• If it is easily accessible, send the pole number, located on a placard near eye level.

• If the pole is not easily accessible, send the nearest address to the pole and attach photos if possible.

pair this with keeping ospreys safe, it turns into a win-win,” said Chris Burton, vice president of electric distribution. “BGE’s longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship has always included a comprehensive plan to protect wildlife. Osprey Watch enables everyone to help ensure they have a safe nesting season.”

The program debuted in 2016, and vigilant customers alerted the company 23 times about nests on electric equipment in Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Harford counties and Baltimore City.

How it works When BGE is alerted, a trained crew is dispatched to review the situation and take steps to both protect the birds and prevent potential power outages. If no birds or eggs are present in the nest, the crew removes it and places deterrents to prevent their return. If birds or eggs are present, shielding is placed on the equipment to prevent contact. Once they leave for the fall, the nest is then removed.

With an average of about 12 outages caused by ospreys each year, this can make a real difference.

In the right setting, it is sometimes possible to relocate the nest to a safe area. Over the past year, four nesting platforms were installed: two at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, one at the Oyster Harbor Community in Annapolis and one in Pasadena.

Before any work involving active nests takes place, BGE’s Environmental Management Unit reviews the situation to ensure that all proper regulations are followed.

The company adheres to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Bald Eagle Protection Act and has a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Purpose Utility Permit, which allows certain migratory bird nest relocations.

“The first year of Osprey Watch was a great success. Through this innovation, we listened to our customers and engaged

All about osprey At the top of the Chesapeake Bay’s food chain soars one of North America’s largest birds of prey and one of the most widespread birds on earth: the osprey.

At about 24 inches tall with a wingspan of up to 6 feet, the oft-called fish hawk has no predators but competes with the bald eagle for food. With a diet consisting almost exclusively of live fish, this large raptor hovers over the water at an altitude of 50 to 200 feet, diving in feet first to catch its prey.

The osprey is an avid collector. Its conspicuous nests, found atop dead trees, channel markers and telephone poles, have been known to include rubber boots, bicycle tires, Hula Hoops, television antennae, Styrofoam cups and plastic containers—just one more important reason to keep our landscapes and waterways clean, and free of trash and debris.

Once nearly eradicated in the Chesapeake Bay region, today there are more than 2,000 nesting pairs in the bay area. dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife

Crisfield

with them in a common mission: keeping the region’s osprey safe and preventing outages. Together, we are redefining smart energy,” said Alexander Núñez, BGE’s senior vice president of regulatory and external affairs and member of the board of Audubon Maryland-DC.

Positive impact The program’s success was evident when two service operator crews showed up for work June 30, 2016 and were assigned a job to install a new osprey platform.

A pair had made a utility pole in Pasadena their home. Neighbors alerted BGE

via Osprey Watch in March, and deterrents had been placed on the equipment to protect the birds.

The original plan was to transfer the nest to a newly-installed raised platform when they migrated south later in the year.

However, the nest caught fire after lightning struck the pole.

BGE and the local fire department secured the situation, rescuing three injured chicks that the Owl Moon Raptor Center nursed back to health.

Once the crews installed the platform, they were tasked with relocating the chicks.

After a safety check and a briefing from a

raptor expert, technicians carefully placed the chicks into their new home.

Then they witnessed a momentous first.

The largest chick stood on the edge of the platform, stretched its wings and flew off into the sky.

“Osprey love to return to the same site year after year,” said Greg Kappler, a BGE environmental scientist. “By letting us know when they build nests on our equipment, we can all partner to ensure their safe and healthy return.” n bge.com/safetycommunity/environment Richard Yost is a communications manager with BGE. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BGE

BGE is committed to reliably and safely delivering electricity to customers, but the company also has a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and protecting forests, plants, waterways and wildlife in central Maryland.

For the birds, this meant developing Osprey Watch—a program that allows customers to directly notify the company about nests that are sighted on or near power lines and poles.

“Providing reliable electricity is one of our basic responsibilities, but when we can

KRISTINE LOCHART

O

sprey are one of the Chesapeake Bay region’s crown jewels. The raptors’ return each March causes nature lovers to gaze skyward as the birds rebuild their nests for breeding season.

They seek high ground to keep their young safe. They are also highly adaptable making nearly anything a potential site for their homes, from trees to utility poles.

This can bring an unexpected problem for many people who live along the bay. As the osprey repair and ready their nests for future young, they run the risk of causing power outages when they reside on utility poles. This can happen when dropped sticks or sagging nests come into direct contact with electric equipment.

Not only can this cause an outage, but it also endangers the birds.

Osprey Watch

Protecting raptors and preventing outages

By Richard Yost

Pasadena crew examining a specimen

Nest ready for installation

Placing a nest at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation

STEPHEN TALABAC

WAYNE BIERBAUM

JAN MASTER

22 I The Maryland Natural Resource Blackwater

Riva

Finishing touches

Woodstock

Egret

By Linda Wiley

By Burton L. Carlson

The snowy is altogether chiffon: coiffed in beauty, neat as a whistle down to its ebony legs and canary feet.

It feeds as all egrets feed in shallow bays and in mud beside slow creeks.

There it swallows what it can catch.

For while, the catch bulges in its neck then slides down, as if oiled, all the way to the gullet.

Not all of its catches are meek.

Sergeant John Buchanan

Snakes have been known, for instance, to leap right back out like a spring unsprung and must be swallowed again and again and again until it is drowned and ingested.

I regret the egret in the hunting of food must be invested, that it depends on whatever feet and toes can upend; even once it’s caught, must be swallowed, kept down, and digested.

But such is beauty.

Burton L. Carlson is a writer from Easton.

John Taylor is a is a local artist and wildlife enthusiast.

Natural Resources Police Pilot

W

hen I was about 7 years old, my dad—a former naval aviator— put me in the back seat of a small plane,” said Maryland Natural Resources Police Sgt. John Buchanan. “We took off and I was immediately fascinated. First he demonstrated his crop dusting maneuvers. Then, he told me to grab the stick in front of me. He was taking a break. What a sensation! That’s when I got hooked on flying.”

Later, young John tagged along to work with his dad at Downstown Aero in New Jersey. There he flew in a helicopter for the first time: “Just like the one on the television show M.A.S.H.“ John saw his future. He enrolled in Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, graduating in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology, Aircraft Maintenance and Flying. “It was a rigorous academic environment,” he said.

“But when I graduated, there were very few jobs in the industry.”

Returning home to Denton, Buchanan picked up summer work as an aircraft mechanic at Maryland Airlines in Easton, home-base for the Natural Resources Police Aviation Unit. Opportunity knocked when a friend moved and John became the aviation mechanic.

In 1996, John jumped at a chance to attend the Natural Resources Police Training Academy, followed by work on a patrol boat out of Tilghman Island. Before long, he returned to aviation as a helicopter pilot.

The primary mission? Conservation law enforcement—flying surveillance to assist officers as they patrol 17,000 miles of waterways and nearly a half-million acres of public lands. But, as one of only two law enforcement agencies with statewide jurisdiction, the force also helps with search, rescue and recovery operations and sometimes assists other authorities by locating suspects and providing for the safety of officers on the ground.

That critical mission came to a grinding halt when the aviation unit was suddenly disbanded in 2009. Sgt. Buchanan stayed on as a District Supervisor for several different areas. “I missed flying a lot, but I was and still am committed to our mission: conservation. I worked in a job I was passionate about. It was both challenging and rewarding.”

A self-described “people person,” coaching Little League and high school baseball helped him learn how to teach and mentor. “It made me a better supervisor,” he said. “That’s where I learned how to build people up.”

Then in the spring of 2015, the department tasked John with devising a plan to revive the aviation capability. Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton learned the 1970 Bell OH-58 Kiowa helicopter that John used to fly was available again in the federal surplus program. With strong support from Gov. Larry Hogan, Belton was determined to bring it back home. And he did just that.

By this past November, the black-andgold aircraft, Natural 1, resumed its place in the department’s roster with Sgt. John Buchanan back in the pilot’s seat—exactly where he wants to be, doing exactly what he was meant to do. n dnr.maryland.gov/nrp Linda Wiley is a webmaster with the department’s Office of Communications and a member of the Committee for Conservation History.

Spring 2017 I 25

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“I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything. The sun came up like gold through the trees, and I felt like I was in heaven.� - h a r r i e t t u b m a n