288 acres of historic Woodlawn Farm in Cecil County, owned by  brothers George and Earle Wickersham, is now protected forever thanks to an ESLC conservation  easement made possible through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Rural Legacy  Program, funded through Program Open Space. The easement permanently conserves 194 acres of  farmland, 157 acres of which are designated as prime agricultural soil. The farm’s 92 acres of woodlands  will be tended under a forest stewardship plan and will protect valuable wildlife habitat. And 100-foot wide vegetated buffers maintain water quality along almost 2,000 feet of McGill Creek, a tributary of the  Sassafras River. Woodlawn’s easement also protects open pasture that is now home to a herd of  Holsteins and Lineback cattle.  

“The permanent protection of Woodlawn Farm illustrates the impact of Maryland’s Program Open  Space,” commented ESLC President & CEO Steve Kline. “This is a win not only for natural resources  conservation, but for the Eastern Shore’s economy, culture, history, and agricultural community. Grove  Neck’s immense sweep of protected land will support irreplaceable farmland and wildlife species on the  Eastern Shore for centuries to come.” 

Program Open Space’s Rural Legacy Program is comprised of 35 different priority conservation areas  throughout Maryland, four of which are sponsored by ESLC. Statewide, more than 126,000 acres have  been conserved through the program within the last 26 years. Conservation easements within ESLC’s  Harvest Crescent Rural Legacy Area, including Woodlawn, have helped to createa corridor of  conservation stretching from Grove Point toward Cecilton, permanently protecting more than 16,445 acres of land. Conserving large, connected areas like this prevents habitat fragmentation, supports  biodiversity, provides travel corridors for wildlife, and can provide the infrastructure for future outdoor  recreation initiatives like public trail systems.  

Predominantly dairy farmers, the Wickersham Family has stewarded land on the East Coast since the late  1600s. George and Earle Wickersham have conserved several farms in Pennsylvania, and they continued  to facilitate Woodlawn Farm’s existing easement-in-process when they purchased Woodlawn Farm in  2021. “If we didn’t take the opportunity, when would we get a chance again?” reflected George. “When  you grow up and you’ve worked on a farm all your life, it just becomes a part of you. You see all the  other farms that were sold and they’ll never be farmed again. They’re destroyed forever. You got to keep  what you have real, if you can. Once it’s developed it’s done. I feel strongly about that.” 

Established in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s mission is to conserve, steward, and advocate for the  unique rural landscape of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, forever a special place of diverse and abundant natural  resources and thriving rural communities.

Environmental Concern (EC), a leading non-profit dedicated to all aspects of wetlands, is honoring the retirement of longtime leaders President Suzanne Pittenger-Slear and Senior Vice President Gene Slear. Together, they have guided the organization with vision and dedication for more than 25 years, leaving a legacy of restored habitats, healthier waterways, and enduring community partnerships across Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region.

EC’s founder, Dr. Edgar Garbisch, developed the protocol for wetland restoration over 40 years ago. His vision and determination led to the creation of the nation’s first native plant nursery dedicated to wetland restoration, and positioning EC as a national leader in living shoreline techniques. More than 50 years later, his legacy of innovation and stewardship continues to inspire EC’s work.

As Senior Vice President, Gene Slear managed hundreds of restoration projects, pioneering the use of native plants to restore tidal and non-tidal habitats. A passionate advocate for living shorelines, Gene emphasized the importance of nature-based resilience in the face of extreme storm events. Working with EC’s wetland practitioners, engineers and scientists, Gene expanded Dr. Garbisch’s protocols to manage the more erosive conditions caused by climate change.

Among the many memorable projects during their tenure are:

• Poplar Island Planting Project – Over half a million species planted by EC staff in Cell 3D.
• Fishing Bay Living Shoreline Restoration – 478,000 native species grown and installed by EC staff on Elliott Island in Dorchester County, preventing the breach of the island’s only access road.
• Town of North Beach Living Shoreline – A collaborative project involving all EC departments and more than 300 Calvert County ninth graders in a student education program.
• Historic Wye House Living Shoreline Restoration Project.
• Tilghman Island Living Shoreline and Pond Creation.
• San Domingo Creek Living Shoreline and the St Michaels Nature Trail.

Together, Suzanne and Gene leave EC well-positioned for its next chapter, with a committed team and a strong foundation for the future. Under their leadership, EC has created and restored hundreds of acres of wetlands in 14 Maryland counties and 5 neighboring states. Their work includes miles of living shoreline in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, replacing hardened structures with natural solutions that protect communities, improve water quality, and enhance habitat.

Reflecting on her tenure, Suzanne Pittenger-Slear shared: “Leading Environmental Concern alongside our talented staff and dedicated partners has been a life-changing experience. Gene and I are profoundly thankful for the lasting relationships we’ve built with colleagues, clients, and supporters, all of whom have been essential to EC’s success. It has been a privilege to contribute to Environmental Concern’s mission, and to witness the difference our collective efforts have made for wetland habitats across the region. As we transition from the St. Michaels campus to our new location in Trappe, we take great pride in EC’s role as a Founding Partner of the St. Michaels Nature Trail – a gift that will connect people with nature for generations. We are equally proud that EC’s former nursery will become one of the few public parks in Talbot County with water access.”

Board member Conrad Gordon praised their impact: “Suzanne and Gene’s pragmatic leadership has transformed Environmental Concern into a force for positive environmental change. Their legacy of hundreds of acres of restored habitat will continue to benefit our ecosystems for years to come.”

Board member Wes Tower added: “I am deeply grateful to Suzanne and Gene for their 25 years of dedicated service to Environmental Concern. Their passion and commitment have guided the organization through challenges and opportunities alike, always keeping the mission at the center. Because of their leadership, Environmental Concern is not only strong today but also prepared for an exciting new chapter of strategic growth and measurable outcomes. On a personal note, I’ve been inspired by their example and the way they’ve led with both vision and heart. Their legacy will be felt in the work we continue to do and in the many lives they’ve touched along the way.”

New Leadership for the Next Chapter
At EC’s annual board meeting, new officers were elected to carry the mission forward. Paige Cahall has been named President, and Joseph Miller has been appointed Vice President.

Ms. Cahall, who joined EC in 2013 as Financial Administrator and later served as Treasurer, brings years of expertise in fiscal management and non-profit leadership. She played a key role in shaping EC’s strategic and financial policies. “I am honored to step into the role of President of Environmental Concern,” said Ms. Cahall. “As I accept this responsibility, I am dedicated to furthering EC’s mission and building on its legacy. It is an honor to be leading such a great team of environmental stewards as we work together to strengthen partnerships, expand our outreach, and make a positive impact in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.”

Mr. Miller, a licensed landscape architect in Maryland, joined EC’s Restoration team in 2019. With graduate degrees in ecology and landscape architecture, he has contributed to projects ranging from watershed restoration to residential shoreline design.

“At Environmental Concern, the merging of environmental design and science is essential for successful restoration projects,” said Mr. Miller. “As Paige and I take on these leadership roles, we feel a tremendous responsibility to ensure the continued success of this organization for the benefit of the public and future generations.”

Looking Ahead
EC is expanding the nursery operation to meet the ever-increasing demand for native wetland vegetation and to strengthen the non-profit’s leadership role in native species horticulture and wetland restoration and education. This relocation unlocks fresh possibilities for growth and innovation, honoring the vision and legacy of all who have shaped Environmental Concern since 1972.

As EC begins this NEXT chapter, it remains steadfast in its 53-year mission: to create and restore wetlands, promote native plants, and create healthier shorelines for generations to come.

About Environmental Concern
Founded in 1972, Environmental Concern (EC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving water quality and enhancing natural habitats through wetland restoration, living shoreline creation, native plant propagation, and education. EC serves communities across Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic, fostering environmental stewardship and building resilience through nature-based solutions.

Scientists are sounding the alarm about the plunging number of viable Osprey nests on the Chesapeake Bay this year. What is happening and what might it say about the health of the Bay?  Join Chesapeake Forum at the Avalon Theatre in Easton on Tues., Nov. 4th for Lectures on the Shore: Our Disappearing Osprey, an expert panel discussion about some of the factors leading to this crisis.

Each spring, the skies above the Chesapeake Bay come alive with the return of ospreys – majestic raptors whose arrival signals the end of winter and the beginning of nesting season. But beneath this familiar seasonal rhythm lies a troubling story: the world‘s largest breeding population of ospreys is showing signs of distress.  The recent loss of more than 90% of viable Osprey nests may be telling us something urgent about the health of the Bay itself.

Our panel of experts includes Greg Kearns, a Senior Park Naturalist/Scientist at the Patuxent River Park for over 40 years; David Reed, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Legal Alliance, and, Will Poston, menhaden Forage Campaign Manager. The panel will explore the complex relationship between ospreys and their primary food source Atlantic menhaden – a small nutrient fish who’s declining availability is triggering starvation, reproductive failure, and unprecedented reproductive short falls among nesting pairs of osprey. Salinity levels, warming waters, harvest, pressures, and water quality will also be examined for their contribution to this ecological unraveling.

Lectures on the Shore will be held at the Avalon Theatre in Easton, Tuesday, Nov. 4th from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres, wine and soft drinks 30 minutes prior to the presentation. Tickets are $60 and are available at https://chesapeakeforum.org.

Chesapeake Forum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing lifelong learning opportunities for residents of the Eastern shore. It is a part of the YMCA of the Chesapeake. To receive Chesapeake Forum’s newsletter, please send your contact information to [email protected].

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy is delighted to announce the  expansion of Jim and Bo Earnest’s conservation easement in Caroline County, which now totals 678 acres, thanks to a partnership between ESLC, Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources,  the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Ducks Unlimited. The expansion was funded through the  North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) and through dedicated Program Open  Space dollars—a conservation funding system that was cut dramatically during the 2025  Maryland General Assembly and will likely face similar budget-related threats in the future. The  property boasts forests, migratory waterfowl habitat, agricultural fields, scenic value, and more  than a mile and a half of Choptank River waterfront, protected with 100-foot forested buffers.  

ESLC President & CEO Steve Kline said: “Bo and Jim’s easement protects wildlife, active  farmland, and valuable natural resources. The Earnests have supported ESLC’s mission for  decades, and they are always thinking of the next step for conservation whether that’s through a  healthy forest stewardship plan, a restoration project, or a conservation easement.”  

Owned by The Honorable Broughton M. Earnest (Bo) and his brother Jim, the now 678-acre  ESLC easement is contiguous to both a 376-acre marsh (which the Earnests conveyed to The  Nature Conservancy more than 50 years ago) and the Choptank River’s 30-acre Hog Island  where Bo and his wife Ray have lived for more than 50 years. Raised in the D.C. area, Bo and  Jim’s late father introduced them to “the magic of waterfowl hunting,” on the Eastern Shore  beginning in the early 1950s. This led them to Hog Island, where a surrounding warren of  marshes, impoundments, farm fields, and forests continue to welcome owls, terrapins, otters,  deer, monarchs, muskrats, and thousands of waterfowl every year. “It is hard to find over 1,000  contiguous acres with over three miles of riverfront on the Choptank (or anywhere else on the  Eastern Shore) which has been permanently preserved primarily for the benefit of wildlife,  especially the migratory waterfowl which have used this acreage for winter habitat for thousands  of years” reflected Bo. “Neither of us can conceive of a more valuable legacy than to perpetuate  this environment which has meant so much to our families as well as for the wildlife which call  Hog Island home.” 

“The Earnests’ passion for conservation is inspiring,” commented ESLC Director of Land  Conservation David Satterfield. “Not only have they donated land for public access, but they are exceptional stewards of their property through wildlife habitat protection and restoration efforts  for waterfowl and upland birds. The legacy that the Earnests have built on this spectacular piece  of land, including the restoration work they are planning, solidifies the Earnests as champions of  conservation for the Eastern Shore.” 

“ESLC and the landowners of the Choptank River watershed continue to show their commitment  to serving as stewards of the River and its surrounding landscape,” said Joanna Ogburn, Principal  and Founder of Envision the Choptank. “As a founding partner of Envision the Choptank, ESLC  brings their strengths to the 45- member partnership, protecting over 10,000 acres to date within 

the watershed. This recently expanded easement will help to maintain agricultural productivity  and protect water quality and wildlife habitat for future generations, complementing the efforts  of Envision partners all working towards these shared goals.” 

To learn more about both donated and funded conservation easements, the Rural Legacy  Program, or ESLC’s Program Open Space advocacy, please contact ESLC Director of Land  Conservancy David Satterfield at [email protected] or ESLC Director of Land Use & Policy  Owen Bailey at [email protected]. 

Established in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s mission is to conserve, steward, and advocate for the  unique rural landscape of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, forever a special place of diverse and abundant natural  resources and thriving rural communities.

• Clean feeders regularly: Reduce disease risk by cleaning feeders at least once every two weeks. Wash them in the dishwasher or in the sink with boiling water and soap.
• Maintain the area under feeders: Keep the ground clean to help reduce disease risk and discourage predators such as rodents and raccoons.
• Monitor for sick birds: If any visiting birds appear sickly, remove your feeder temporarily until they disperse to prevent close-contact infections.
• Use predator guards: Install guards to deter raccoons, squirrels, and other uninvited guests seeking food.
• Reduce bird strike risk: Place feeders within three feet or beyond ten feet of reflective windows. Birds leaving feeders within three feet will not gain enough speed to injure themselves if they hit a window, while those beyond ten feet will have time to spot and avoid the glass, especially if windows are covered with decals or screening.

Along with partner Tall Timbers, ESLC is honored to receive a 2025 grant from the Cornell Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative. Fourteen land trusts across the  country received a total of $260,000 to be used for bird conservation. “We are incredibly grateful to  Cornell for supporting us in this powerfully beneficial management practice, knowing it will greatly uplift  the conservation value of our region,” commented ESLC Enhanced Stewardship Manager Larisa  Prezioso. Prezioso will work with Tall Timbers’ Delmarva Prescribed Fire Coordinator & Game Bird  Biologist Kyle Magdziuk to advance “biologically beneficial blazes,” an initiative to promote and  accelerate the use of prescribed fire to enhance bird habitat. 

“Prescribed fire is an often misunderstood and underutilized tool on the Eastern Shore,” commented  ESLC President and CEO Steve Kline. “ESLC looks forward to equipping landowners with safe,  responsible prescribed fire management plans so we can continue to enhance conserved lands and bring  back that beloved quail call so many of us miss.” 

Over time sprawl development, “edge-to-edge” commercial farming practices, and the compounding  pressures of climate change have drastically reduced habitat for grassland and early successional birds like  Northern bobwhite, Eastern meadowlarks, and grasshopper sparrows. According to the North American  Breeding Bird Survey, 83% of grassland birds experienced significant population declines from 1966 to  2022, with Northern bobwhite quail suffering the largest population loss over the last 50 years, upwards  of more than 90% decline in Maryland alone. 

While many successful initiatives have restored crucial habitat, continued management has been a  challenge since grasslands tend to transition back to forests when left alone. Historically, fire occurred  every 4 to 10 years in this region, preventing this transition. Thanks to funding from Cornell, ESLC will  work with Tall Timbers to maintain the Eastern Shore’s grassland spaces through the responsible use of  prescribed fire. 

Upcoming outreach activities include a 2026 “learn and burn” demonstration, creating grassland habitat  management plans that utilize prescribed burning for conservation easement landowners, and compiling  and distributing resources for landowners to manage their habitat with prescribed fire. “When applied  safely, responsibly, and consistently,” Magdziuk explains, “prescribed fire mitigates the risk of wildfires,  supports a balanced ecosystem with native plant and wildlife communities, and keeps the ecosystem  healthy and resilient, while being one of the most cost-effective tools available.” 

To learn more about ESLC’s prescribed burn initiative, please reach out to Larisa Prezioso at  [email protected]. To learn more about Tall Timbers or about the brand new Eastern Shore Prescribed  Burn Association, please reach out to Kyle Magdziuk at [email protected]. 

Established in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s mission is to conserve, steward, and advocate for the  unique rural landscape of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, forever a special place of diverse and abundant natural  resources and thriving rural communities.