Ecosystem - Centreville Spy

Chesapeake Marshlands NWR Complex Seeks Public Review and Comment on Supplemental Environmental Assessment for Hunting and Fishing

July 1, 2023 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex is seeking public review and comment on its Supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA) for hunting and fishing. Blackwater and Eastern Neck NWRs will eliminate use of lead ammunition for all hunting and lead tackle for fishing starting September 1, 2026. Until then, over the next 3 years we will provide outreach and education opportunities for hunters and anglers to learn about lead impacts and available alternatives. We will initially encourage the voluntary use of non-lead ammunition for hunting and non-lead tackle for fishing.

Please note that we have not made any significant changes to the previous September 2022 hunting and fishing plan — there are no new changes to species, seasons, acreages, methods of take, or regulations. The Supplemental EA is focused on the further analysis of potential impacts of lead ammunition (and tackle), and utilizes the latest research and best available science where applicable. The updated information provides another opportunity for public review and comment; however, much of the written text transferred from the 2022 plan remains unchanged.

Draft documents are available online at the refuges’ official websites at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater and https://www.fws.gov/refuge/eastern-neck.

The Service seeks comments from the public on the proposed rule for 60 days, beginning with publication in the Federal Register on June 23, 2023. The notice will be available at http://www.regulations.gov, Docket Number: FWS-HQ-NWRS-2023-0038. If you wish to comment, please note “Chesapeake Marshlands NWRC” in the subject line of an email, and address to [email protected].

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 32,000 acres of rich tidal marsh, mixed hardwood and pine forest, managed freshwater wetlands and cropland for a diversity of wildlife. To learn more, visit our website at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or @BlackwaterNWR.

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, is a 2,285-acre island which supports a wide variety of habitats including brackish marsh, natural ponds, upland forest, and grasslands for a diversity of wildlife. The refuge holds the designation of Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. To learn more, visit our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/Eastern-Neck or @EasternNeckNWR.

Connect with our Facebook page at facebook.com/usfwsnortheast/, follow our tweets at twitter.com/usfwsnortheast, watch our YouTube Channel at youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at flickr.com/usfwsnortheast.

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Schumann Foundation Honored at ShoreRivers Solstice Celebration

June 28, 2023 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

ShoreRivers was proud to present its 2023 Award for Environmental Stewardship to the Robert F. Schumann Foundation as part of the organization’s annual Solstice Celebration on Saturday, June 24, at Wilmer Park in Chestertown.

This award recognizes an individual or entity in the Chesapeake Bay watershed for their transformational accomplishments as a steward of the environment, and the foundation was selected in recognition of its legacy of generosity to ShoreRivers.

ShoreRivers Director of Community Engagement Darran White Tilghman and Board Member Rosemary Ramsey Granillo are pictured with honoree Ford Schumann.

The Robert F. Schumann Foundation was established by Mr. Robert Schumann out of his belief that the environment is essential to sustain the future of the planet, that education is essential to solve many quality-of-life issues for society, and that arts and cultural programs offer society hope and the ability to dream. The Schumann Foundation has been a central funder of environmental imperatives at ShoreRivers since 2017.

At the event, remarks on the foundation’s incredible community contributions were provided by Darran White Tilghman, Director of Community Engagement at ShoreRivers; Rosemary Ramsey Granillo, a member of the ShoreRivers Board of Directors; and Terwana Brown, Program Manager for Kent Attainable Housing.

“(The Robert F. Schumann Foundation) has helped leverage over $1.6 million in funding for community restoration projects through ShoreRivers. The landscapes of our communities are transforming because of this work,” said Ramsey Granillo. “I’m especially honored to present this award on behalf of the Board of ShoreRivers because the Schumann family means so much to me and my family. Ford and my mom, Marcy, were founding members of the Chester River Association, so in a real way they are why we’re all here tonight.”

Accepting on behalf of the foundation created by his father, Ford Schumann was presented with a hand-crafted, locally sourced bird box. The box served to recognize the foundation’s support of native planting projects, which provide habitat and food for threatened species like birds and pollinators. Planting native species is the single most important thing individuals and communities can do for local water quality and habitat value. Native plants are defined as the species that naturally occur in a region, which have co-evolved with other plant and animal species to form the local ecosystem.

Miles-Wye Riverkeeper Ben Ford, Chester Riverkeeper Annie Richards, and Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher are pictured at ShoreRivers’ annual Solstice Celebration.

In addition to the award presentation, the Solstice Celebration included gourmet fare provided by Hambleton House Catering & Events, live music from Philip Dutton and the Alligators, and a rousing live auction led by Chester Riverkeeper Annie Richards. The crowd of more than 350 supporters helped raise more than $132,000in support of ShoreRivers’ work for clean rivers. To learn more, visit shorerivers.org.

ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

shorerivers.org

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Blackwater NWR Deer Hunt Permits Available July 11th

June 24, 2023 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Beginning July 11, 2023, at 10:00 AM EST, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) hunting permits will be available online at www.recreation.gov or by phone at (877) 444-6777. Regulations and dates for the 2023-24 deer hunt are now available on the refuge website at www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater.

Please note the following changes to this year’s regulations. Only one hunter per permit is allowed; group members may no longer be added to a permit. This change now allows hunters to present their valid hunting permit either electronically or on paper. Stands and blinds must be removed daily from the refuge. This rule now applies to all hunt units on the refuge, including U1. Hunters are reminded that deer drives are allowed during the January shotgun hunts only. Lastly, a state-issued sika deer stamp is now required to hunt sika deer during any of the deer hunting seasons.

For more information on hunting at Blackwater NWR, please visit www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater.

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July Public Programs at Pickering Creek Audubon Center

June 22, 2023 by Pickering Creek Audubon Center Leave a Comment

Whimsy: Wet Feet & Muddy Hands
Friday, July 7, 2023
3:30 – 5:00 pm
$5 per person
Summertime is for playing outdoors and getting messy! Cool down this summer by joining Pickering Creek educators for a fun frolic through our freshwater wetlands. Feet will get wet, hands will get muddy and frogs will be chased. Recommended for ages 4-7 but all ages are welcome! REGISTER HERE

From Corn & Cattle to Milkweeds & Monarchs: An Historic Tour of Pickering Creek
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
5:30 – 7:00 pm
$5 per person
What did the landscape of Pickering Creek look like 25, 50, 100 years ago? Where you might hear the Conkaree of Red-Winged Blackbirds today was once filled with the Moooos of Black Angus cattle just a few decades ago. Join Pickering Creek educators for an easy walk and wagon ride around the front and back of the property to learn about the site’s farming history, who lived on the property and what the site might have looked like over the past 200 years. REGISTER HERE

WEBINAR – Orchids of Maryland and the Eastern Shore
Monday, July 31, 2023
7:00 – 8:30 pm
$5 per person
Orchids aren’t just limited to rainforests and tropical islands, we have dozens of native species of orchids in Maryland as well! While Lady’s Slipper species get all the glory, Lady’s Tresses’ and Cranefly Orchids are just as beautiful. Join us for a conversation with Julianne McGuinness about native Maryland orchids as well as orchids you might find here on the Eastern Shore!

Julianne is the Program Development Coordinator for the North American Orchid Conservation Center (NAOCC). NAOCC is a coalition of organizations dedicated to conserving the diverse orchid heritage of the U.S. and Canada. Based at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) and co-founded with the U.S. Botanic Garden, it also includes the National Zoological Park, the National Museum of Natural History, and Smithsonian Gardens among other collaborators. REGISTER HERE

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Introducing New Washington College CES’s Director Dr. Valerie Imbruce

June 21, 2023 by James Dissette Leave a Comment

For Dr. Valerie Imbruce, the journey to becoming Director of Washington College’s Center for Environment and Society (CES) began with an undergraduate trip to the remote cloud forests of Ecuador and found its way to researching the provenance of exotic fruits and vegetables in Chinatown.

Dr. Valerie Imbruce

In Ecuador, she developed a keen interest in the local flora. “I really got interested in tropical plants and their taxonomy, so I did a study of trailside vascular plants—those that can grow large and stand up straight because they have a vascular system with hardened cellular tissue—as opposed to algae and mosses—so I learned botanical nomenclature and how to identify plants by collecting them and making pressings of them for herbarium specimens,” she says.

Her early fascination with botany resulted in a field guide of tropical plants to educate visitors at the ecotourist lodge where she did her research.

“It was satisfying. I was learning. I was sharing what I learned with others. So, I decided that I wanted to pursue graduate studies. I started off in a master’s program and was then offered other opportunities to enroll in a PhD and become fully funded, working out that piece of graduate education.”

That led her to PhD work at the New York Botanical Garden, the preeminent place in New York to study botany and eventually to study the markets of Chinatown through the lens of food justice.

“My interest in tropical plants morphed into considering the plants we eat, and how that connects us to different environments. I started thinking about the mechanics of how plants are grown and distributed and how certain types of plants become culturally important and then economically important to feed groups of people. I wound up doing an in-depth study of Chinatown in Manhattan.

Fascinated by the cultural diversity expressed in the Chinatown markets, Imbruce began to explore the connection between market and vendor produce and how they were acquired: how did they get there?

“The streets of Chinatown have tables full of fresh produce. All these different Brassica species, from the mustard family of plants, like bok choy, Shanghai choy, yu choy, right? All of these vegetable species that come from East and Southeast Asia. These were not products that you could find readily in other places, and so, what I did was follow those, use fruits and vegetables as objects to follow their pathways of travel. Where do they come from? How do they get to the city where people are orchestrating these networks of exchange?

Imbruce identified a diverse network of entrepreneurs, from street vendors to international farmers, who utilize their social connections to establish trade systems tailored to Asian American audiences and cultures. Notably, these activities are concentrated in New York, which, due to its massive trade volume, is recognized as the produce capital of the United States. Eventually, she investigated one group in Honduras that developed an Asian vegetable export business in the Comayagua Valley, a prime region for agro-exports. They cultivate crops like Chinese eggplant, bitter melon, and chives, targeting markets on the East Coast of the US.

“You might look and say, well, we’re so good at supplying all of this food. We have food at low cost everywhere, but who is “we”? Where are the access points to what kinds of foods? Are they nutritious foods? Are they culturally appropriate foods? And is the cost relative to any one person’s income for those? So that’s where the justice angle comes in, for food systems. How is food exchanged to meet our needs?” Chinatown’s food system grew out of necessity at time in the US’s history when the Chinese Exclusion Act prohibited immigration from China and there was much anti-Chinese sentiment.

Now Dr. Imbruce focuses on her work as Director of CES. Six months into her role, succeeding Dr. John Seidel’s tenure as Director, Imbruce describes her role as requiring work on several different planes combing stewardship and education.

“I have come as a steward for what has been built, which is an incredible academic center that has positions and programs in place that are very much in line with how I see undergraduate education and how I see the “environment” in society. It’s that blending that brought me here, the natural and the cultural, and I think it is important to retain. So, part of my mission right now is shoring up things we have and filling positions at CES.”

One ongoing stewardship project is Harry Sears’ gift of 5,000 acres to the College. The River and Field Campus (RAFC) is a 10-minute drive down the Chester River and includes river frontage, forest, wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural lands. The campus is intended to serve as an educational and scientific research site. Presently, it houses two significant programs: the Foreman’s Branch Bird Observatory and the Natural Lands Project. Recently, further development of the site has been underway.

“Part of what I’ve been doing over the past couple months is helping expand those programs. For example, at Foreman’s Branch, we’re going to be breaking ground on a new bird banding station within the next year, and we’ll have a new facility where we can host educational workshops and host tour groups. There are tons of students who come to learn, Washington College students as well as area K through 12 students and bird enthusiasts of all kinds.”

While immersed in academics and directorship tasks, Imbruce won’t be sidelining her years of teaching skills. Reaching beyond her love for the world of academics and intellectual ideas, the new CES Director wants to create practical applications and discover audiences who can benefit from the bridge being built between the College and “the rich natural and human resources of the region.”

Imbruce plans to teach during her directorship and to develop a community food systems class with the hope of learning more about the various organizations in Kent County that work on food security issues—from ‘how people feed themselves when they need help to the kind of restaurants and supermarkets and shops in the area.’

“I would like to take a holistic look at our food system and find community-based projects that students can engage with,” she says. “My feeling is not just saying this is what we choose to study as students or academics, but to ask the community “what do you want?”

For more about CES, go here. The Center for Environment and Society is located at 485 S. Cross Street. Contact email: [email protected]

Dr. Imbruce received her Ph.D. from the City University of New York, where she participated in a collaborative program with the New York Botanical Garden. Her dissertation focused on food systems.

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Millions of Oysters Planted in Eastern Bay

June 19, 2023 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Eighteen million oysters were planted on a sanctuary near Tilghman Point in Eastern Bay this Thursday as part of Operation Build-a-Reef: Eastern Bay. The planting was the culmination of a two-year fundraising effort by ShoreRivers, in partnership with Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP), and other key supporters. Oysters provide valuable ecosystem services by filtering water and creating vital habitats for other marine species, including Maryland’s iconic blue crab and rockfish.

Operation Build-a-Reef: Eastern Bay’sgoal was to support oyster restoration efforts by planting millions of these beneficial bivalves in the local watershed. An initial planting of 70 million oysters was completed by ORP in 2022, with funding provided by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Thursday’s planting was also conducted by ORP and was fully funded by ShoreRivers’ network of supporters who raised the stakes—and the impact—by donating nearly $80,000 for the newest residents of Eastern Bay. Oyster larvae were supplied by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Horn Point Lab in Cambridge.

“The waterways of Eastern Bay, including the Miles and Wye rivers, suffer from excess nitrogen and sediment pollution,” says Miles-Wye Riverkeeper Ben Ford. “Thanks to generous support from many individuals, businesses, and foundations, we’re proud that we’re able to support direct oyster restoration work here on the Shore.”

Millions of juvenile oysters were planted in Eastern Bay on June 15, 2023, as part of Operation Build-a-Reef: Eastern Bay, a campaign in support of oyster restoration work.

Oyster Recovery Partnership, the nonprofit expert in Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration, has planted more than 10 billion oysters and recycled 280,000+ bushels of oyster shell since its founding in 1994. ORP began the Build-a-Reef program to encourage community-supported reef building efforts Bay-wide. To date, the Build-a-Reef program has resulted in more than130 million oysters planted in three Bay tributaries.

“We’re pleased to be working again with our partners at ShoreRivers to rebuild oyster populations here in Eastern Bay. A lot of our work is focused on large-scale restoration projects in remote areas of the Eastern Shore and we’re happy to be working closer to home and sharing our work with our neighbors. We’re grateful for all the support we’ve received,” said Ward Slacum, executive director of the Oyster Recovery Partnership.

Operation Build-a-Reef: Eastern Bay benefitted from the support of corporate partners including Bosun’s Marine, who offered to match gifts made by its customers in support of the effort, and Smyth Jewelers who donated 1,000 oysters for every engagement ring sold. Many donors, and staff from Bosun’s, ShoreRivers, and the Oyster Recovery Partnership were on hand to watch the planting.

ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

shorerivers.org

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recognizes Volunteers at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

June 17, 2023 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recently recognized volunteers of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) for the outstanding contributions they made to the refuge during 2022. The Friends of Blackwater sponsored the awards dinner held at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park. Volunteers at Blackwater do everything from staffing the Visitor Center, maintaining the butterfly garden, and leading bird walks and educational programs, to monitoring bluebirds, surveying waterfowl, and serving as mentors for new hunters. During 2022, 109 volunteers contributed 8,454 hours of their time to the refuge, which is equivalent to four full-time employees!

Refuge volunteer Rick Abend receives the 2022 Volunteer of the Year Award at Blackwater NWR from Refuge Manager Marcia Pradines Long.

Every year, Blackwater NWR honors and distinguishes a volunteer for their exemplary performance throughout the year. This year, Mr. Rick Abend of Madison, MD, received the 2022 Volunteer of the Year Award for his dedicated service to the refuge. Mr. Abend has been a steady force at Blackwater for 17 years and has served as President of the Friends of Blackwater for nearly 10 years. He is an unwavering supporter and advocate, and makes a tangible difference on the refuge, having done everything from installing bike racks and electrical lines to building wooden bridges and boardwalks, among many other things. Visitors to the refuge benefit every day from the talents and dedication that Mr. Abend brings to the refuge.

Special recognition was also given to volunteers reaching key milestones in their service to Blackwater NWR. Award pins and certificates were presented to the following volunteers for reaching milestones in the number of years they have volunteered at Blackwater NWR: Linda Chandlee, Harry Heckathorn, Ellie Ludvigsen, Karl McGovern, Christina Rocca, and Peter Smithson for five years of service; Sue Fischer and Leslie Baker for 10 years of service; and Lisa Mayo for 20 years of service.

Award pins and certificates were also presented to volunteers reaching milestones in the number of volunteer hours they have contributed to the refuge since they began volunteering. Those recognized include: Lauren Atwood, Bobby Boarman, Jane Bowers, Phyllis Como, Wes Cummins, Sloane Franklin, Jim Green, Steve Huettner, Mark Jenkins, Collin Johnson, Maribeth Kulncyzk, Trevor Michaels, Jake Peregrim, Davie Pina, Kirk Tull Sr., and Robin Weaver (50 hours); Lisa Alfaro, Marcos Alfaro, Wade Bradford, Brian Cavey, Chris Davidson, Rachel Dawson, Rhonda Franz-Floyd, TJ Jenkins, Russ Leith, Bob Long, Brian Mann, Sherry Morgan, Marnie Pepper, Zack Trusty, and Laura Yowell (100 hours); Doug Irvin, Charles Maguire, John Morgan, Bob Quinn, Christina Rocca, Peter Smithson, and Jim Van Ness (250 hours); Linda Chandlee (500 hours); and Steve Funderburk, Merrill Schuetz, and Elaine Wilson (750 hours). Those volunteers accumulating 1,000 hours or more are listed on the refuge’s “Volunteer Hall of Fame” plaque. Volunteers reaching these milestones in 2022 include: Rick Abend, Sue Fischer, Ellie Ludvigsen, Betsy McCaul, Jane Sebring, Carol Walker, and Ed Walker (1000 hours), Karl McGovern and Vicki Zobel (1500 hours), Ron Ketter (2000 hours), Harry Heckathorn (2500 hours) and Charlotte Hehn (8500 hours). Each volunteer received a special recognition gift for their volunteer efforts.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering at Blackwater NWR, please call 410-221-8157.

Volunteers, from left to right, are Ed Walker, Carol Walker, Ellie Ludvigsen, Sue Fischer, and Rick Abend. Also pictured is Refuge Manager Marcia Pradines Long. Not pictured are Betsy McCaul and Jane Sebring.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws/gov. Connect with our Facebook page at facebook.com/usfwsnortheast/, follow our tweets at twitter.com/usfwsnortheast, watch our YouTube Channel at youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at flickr.com/usfwsnortheast.

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Eastern Shore Regional Trail Network Receives National Park Service Grant

June 15, 2023 by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy Leave a Comment

Eastern Shore Regional Trails Network steering committee

The Eastern Shore Regional Trails Network has been selected by National Park Service – Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (NPS-RTCA) as a 2023 “community assistance project.” The designation means that this recently-formed, Shore-wide consortium of partners, led by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, will receive support for one year in the form of invaluable, one-on-one expertise and technical support from knowledgeable National Park Service staff.

“The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (NPS-RTCA) is excited to partner with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) and community partners to create a connected network for active transportation across Maryland’s Eastern Shore that supports safe places for people to walk, ride, roll, and explore nature,” stated Natalia Sanchez Hernandez, the NPS-RTCA expert supporting the initiative. “NPS-RTCA recognizes the need and strong community support to enhance multimodal transportation to encourage healthy living, provide safe access to close-to-home recreation and community amenities, and increase tourism and economic development for communities in Maryland’s Eastern Shore.”

The Eastern Shore Regional Trails Network partnership is a newly-formed group of community organizations working to connect with stakeholders, initiate the first new trails across the region, and build a regional trails coalition to serve as an advocating body for trail resources. This Wednesday, June 14^th, ESLC will kick off the first planning meeting between the steering committee and National Parks Staff at the Eastern Shore Conservation Center. The meeting will include:

Patti Stevens, Eastern Shore Representative for Maryland Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and co-founder of Worcester Bike and Pedestrian Coalition
Sue Simmons, former Director of Caroline County Recreation and Parks
Kat Stork, Owner of Shore Strategies
Jim Bogden, Chair of Chestertown Recreation Commission
Joe Kelley, Bike and Pedestrian Coordinator
Josh Hastings, Wicomico County Council
Bob Zillig, Chair of Queen Anne’s County Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Margaret Enloe-North, Interim Director Talbot Thrive

Owen Bailey, Chair of the Steering Committee for this project and Director of Land Use and Policy for Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, is thrilled about the future saying, “We are so grateful and excited for this new project to raise awareness and engage people across the Shore. And we can’t wait to hit the trail!”

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The Mid-Shore Faces Code Red

June 8, 2023 by Maryland Matters Leave a Comment

Photo by Spy Agent 7

As of Wednesday, a majority of Maryland is under an air quality advisory due to smoke wafting in from raging wildfires in Eastern Canada, and state environment officials are warning that Marylanders should limit their exposure outside.

“Fires over Quebec continue to produce prodigious smoke which is being continuously funneled on northerly flow towards the Mid-Atlantic. Presently a concentrated plume of smoke is working south through Pennsylvania and New York towards the eastern half of Maryland,” according to the state’s Department of the Environment’s most recent air quality forecast discussion.

The smoky air began rolling in Tuesday evening, bringing in fine particles that are lung irritants, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

High concentrations fine particles brought in through wildfire smoke can lead to a variety of symptoms, ranging from “relatively minor (e.g., eye and respiratory tract irritation) to more serious health effects (e.g., exacerbation of asthma and heart failure, and premature death),” according to the EPA.

Additional health effects attributed to short-term wildfire smoke exposure includes coughing, phlegm, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.

While more Northern cities are experiencing the brunt of the smoke and suffering from reduced air quality due to the wildfires in Canada, Maryland is catching a fair amount of smoky air.

Air quality is indicated through the air quality index (AQI), a metric that ranges from 0 to 500 AQI, with lower numbers meaning better air quality, according to AirNow, a partnership between federal environmental and health agencies. “Good” air quality index ranges from 0 to 50.Maryland Department of the Environment reports that most of Maryland is experiencing “unhealthy” air quality due to wildfires in Canada. Credit: Maryland Department of the Environment

In Maryland, Garrett and Allegany counties are under a “moderate” air quality advisory, at 89 AQI, the Maryland Department of the Environment reports. In this area, people who are uniquely sensitive to air quality are recommended to reduce outdoor excursion.

At 112 AQI, Washington County’s air quality is considered “unhealthy” for sensitive groups, which includes children, older adults and people with respiratory disease or heart disease. These groups are recommended to take precautions and limit prolonged outdoor exertion, according to AirNow

All of Maryland’s remaining counties and Baltimore City are under a Code Red at 151 AQI, meaning that all residents should limit prolonged outdoor exertion and sensitive groups should avoid outdoor activities, according to AirNow.

The governor’s office released a list of tips to keep healthy during poor air quality:

• If you have lung or heart disease, stay indoors.
• Air conditioning can improve the air quality indoors.
• Masks (like N95s, KN95s) will reduce the particles that you breathe, but they can also make it harder to breathe.
• Be alert for breathing problems in children, especially children with lung problems like asthma.
• Check on neighbors and relatives with chronic health problems.

“The health and safety of Marylanders is our top priority. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information is available,” Gov. Wes Moore (D) said in a statement.

Current projections from the state environmental department indicate that some reprieve from smoky air is likely to arrive between Thursday and Friday, when a majority of the state is expected to move from an “unhealthy” air advisory to “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

By Danielle J. Brown

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Summer Talk Series with the Horn Point Laboratory

June 8, 2023 by Horn Point Laboratory Leave a Comment

As part of their 50^th anniversary, the Horn Point Laboratory (HPL) is hosting a series of six free Summer Talks. Beginning June 20 these Tuesday talks will run weekly (except July 4^th), from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. “We are excited to bring our latest science to the Cambridge community and to share what we are learning about the natural world around us.” shared Director, Mike Sieracki. With slides and conversation, faculty members will share their research on a variety of topics to explore the science of the waters that surround us.

HPL is partnering with the High Spot restaurant in Cambridge to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Come early and come hungry and thirsty. Tuesdays from 4:00 to 6:00 pm the High Spot’s gastro pub grub is ½ price and drinks are $2.00 off!

Summer Talks and faculty members include:

June 20

Mike Sieracki

Horn Point Lab 50th anniversary: Past, present and future of science in Dorchester County

June 27

Ming Li

Impact of climate change on coastal flooding in the Dorchester Country:

Sea level rise and warming oceans increase the risk of coastal flooding in low-lying areas on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

7-11

Cindy Palinkas

Living shorelines: using the power of nature to protect our coasts

7-18

Stephanie Alexander

A Virtual Tour of the UMCES Horn Point Oyster Hatchery

Learn how the UMCES Horn Point Oyster Hatchery produces oyster larvae, seed and spat on shell for restoration, private aquaculture, and public fishery activities in the Chesapeake Bay region.

7-25

Jamie Pierson

From Plankton to Plastics: the Chesapeake under a microscope

-Meet the tiniest creatures in our local waterways, and learn how they are connected to our everyday lives.

Jamie Pierson, HPL Associate Professor, sharing insights on findings in the Choptank river, from plankton to plastics

8-1

Greg Silsbe

Environmental Remote Sensing: How scientists use satellites to monitor the Earth.

This talk explores the theory, opportunities and challenges of monitoring environmental change from earth-observing satellites.

Come hungry to learn about science of local and national interest and to get your fill of the High Spot’s good eats and cool drinks! High Spot is located at 305 High Street, Cambridge.

Talks are Free! Registration is encouraged as the space for each talk is limited to 30 people.

To Register: https://www.usmf.org/horn-point-laboratory-summer-talks/

Questions, please contact Carin Starr at [email protected] or 410-221-8408.

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