Chesapeake Bay News

Interactive Summit for Coastal Leaders Planned for Annapolis, Md.

On Monday, April 27, 2009, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John Griffin will welcome hundreds of key coastal leaders to Annapolis for a half day summit entitled “Building Coast-Smart Communities: How Will Maryland Adapt to Climate Change?”

The high-visibility event will take place at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This interactive summit is designed as an innovative simulated negotiation intended to recreate the decisions facing coastal communities that are vulnerable to the impacts of Climate Change.

“With over 4,000 miles of coastline, we cannot wait to tackle this threat,” said Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. “Here in Maryland we are aggressively implementing initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that will provide benefits long into the future; however, we must also ensure our communities are “Coast-Smart” now — ready, adaptive and resilient.”

The simulation will be based on a hypothetical Maryland community that reflects the reality of many of our coastal towns and cities.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

* Witness firsthand how diverse community stakeholders can negotiate agreements to address the challenge of climate change coastal impacts.
* Quickly learn more about the choices communities face as they adapt to risks.
* Learn new negotiating skills, and practice them in a safe environment
* Gain knowledge about other community stakeholders’ viewpoints and concerns

This initial event will create a network of community leaders who can replicate the simulation process in their own community while coordinating and learning from other Maryland coastal communities..

To learn more about the effects of Climate Change in Maryland, visit the Coast-Smart website at http://maryland.coastsmart.org/?page_id=22.

Interested coastal leaders can register for the summit at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey.zgi?p=WEB228WP55G52L or call 410-260-8743.

The Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants (SWG) Program provides grants of $20,000 to $200,000 to organizations and local governments working on a local level to implement protects that improve small watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay basin, while building citizen-based resource stewardship. The program also provides small grants for project planning and design. This program is funded by EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office, as well as by NOAA Fisheries, USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other sponsors.

The RFP for the 2009 Small Watershed Grants Program is now live on the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation website, at www.nfwf.org/smallwatershed, where you will find information about the program, how to apply, and a link for the webinar we will conduct on Monday, March 16 at 12 noon. The webinar will provide guidance on how to prepare competitive applications for the CBSWG Program, as well as information about NFWF’s new Easy Grants online application system.

For more information about how to apply via Easy Grants, please go to www.nfwf.org/applicantinfo

To start an application go to www.nfwf.org/easygrants

applications are due May 1, 2009.

Environmental Concern will hold a series of wetlands classes during 2009. Classes are held at their Wetland Learning Center, located in St. Michaels, Maryland. The facility is home to four constructed wetlands, a nature trail, and a working native plant nursery growing over 120 plant species.

Courses are scheduled to include:

Wetland Freshwater Benthic Macroinvertebrate Identification and Ecology

Wetland Law and Policy

Wetland Delineation

Advanced Plant Identification

Hydric Soils

Introduction Wetland Botany

Grasses Sedges and Rushes

Family-level Freshwater Benthic Macroinvertebrate Identification and Ecology

Complete course descriptions, instructor bios and online registration can be found at www.wetland.org

In 2008, Environmental Concern was selected and certified as a Maryland Green Center by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is inviting marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs to participate in informal roundtable discussions and learn more about Maryland’s Clean Marina Initiative.

“I encourage all marina operators who are not certified as clean marina’s to attend,” said Donna Morrow, DNR Boating Administrator. “Through small group discussions and networking, operators will learn how other marinas and boatyards have addressed environmental challenges and the benefits of becoming a certified clean marina.”

Interested operators can choose between two dates and locations:

Tues, Jan. 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Skipjack Cove Yachting Center in Georgetown (Cecil County)

Thurs, Jan. 15, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Mears Marina in Annapolis (Anne Arundel County)

Participants will receive an overview of the Clean Marina certification process, guidebooks and guidance. Weather permitting, a tour of the host marina will be provided. Advanced registration is requested by emailing dmorrow@dnr.state.md.us or calling 410-260-8773. Each roundtable is contingent upon at least six marine facilities registering by January 12.

Maryland’s Clean Marina Initiative, coordinated in partnership with the Marine Trades Association of Maryland, promotes voluntary adoption of pollution prevention measures. At total of 133 marinas, community piers and museums are certified as Clean Marinas or Clean Marina Partners. Marinas are certified by DNR as Maryland Clean Marinas after they adopt a percentage of recommendations in the Maryland Clean Marina Guidebook and pass a site inspection by DNR and industry representatives. This collective effort of marina and boatyard operators and recreational boaters is working to improve the quality of Maryland’s waterways. For more information visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/boating.

The Maryland State Park Service offers countless opportunities for children of all ages to explore the outdoors during the springtime. Events across the state enable children to enjoy festivities of the season and investigate their natural world.

“Maryland’s state parks are safe, positive environments which encourage discovery and foster an appreciation of the outdoors in youth,” said Nita Settina, Maryland Parks Service Superintendent. “With nearly 50 parks in Maryland, there is sure to be one near your home.”

A variety of holiday-themed activities are taking place throughout the state, including:

Central Maryland:

Star-Gazing Party
Saturday, March 22 at 8 p.m.
Soldier’s Delight N.E.A., 5100 Deer Park Road in Owings Mills (Baltimore County)

Eastern Shore:

Tuckahoe Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 22 at 1 p.m.
Tuckahoe State Park, 13070 Crouse Mill Road in Queen Anne (Caroline County)

Southern Maryland:

Smallwood Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 22 at 10 a.m.
Smallwood State Park, 2750 Sweden Point Road in Marbury (Charles County)

Nondenominational Easter Sunrise Service
Sunday, March 23 at 6:30 a.m.
Point Lookout State Park, 11175 Point Lookout Road, in Scotland (St. Mary’s County)

Western Maryland:

Natural Egg Dying on Dan’s Mountain
Saturday, March 22 at 11 a.m.
Deep Creek State Park and NRMA, 898 State Park Road, in Swanton (Garrett County)

The Aquaculture Technical Advisory Committee will meet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates

March 18, 2008

Northampton County Former Circuit Court Room
16404 Courthouse Road
Eastville, VA 23347

April 24, 2008

Shore Bank Headquarters
25020 Shore Parkway, Onley, VA 23418

Beginning January 10 the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) will host a series of introductory Clean Marina workshops. All Maryland marine facilities are encouraged to attend.

The free workshops will provide participants with an overview of the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative and all materials necessary to begin the certification process. A tour of the host facility will highlight actions taken to become certified and prevent pollution (weather permitting). Additionally, free customer education and staff training materials will be provided at the workshops including posters, oil-sorb kits, and a training video.

Dates and Locations: