Barren Island (Maryland)

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Barren Island is small, uninhabited landmass in the Chesapeake Bay, [1] just off the coast of Dorchester County, Maryland. It is located at 38°20′4.13″N76°15′11.44″W / 38.3344806°N 76.2531778°W / 38.3344806; -76.2531778 . It is known to be a swan nesting ground. [2]

Chesapeake Bay An estuary in the U.S. states of Maryland and Virginia

The Chesapeake Bay is an estuary in the U.S. states of Maryland and Virginia. The Bay is located in the Mid-Atlantic region and is primarily separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Delmarva Peninsula with its mouth located between Cape Henry and Cape Charles. With its northern portion in Maryland and the southern part in Virginia, the Chesapeake Bay is a very important feature for the ecology and economy of those two states, as well as others. More than 150 major rivers and streams flow into the Bay's 64,299-square-mile (166,534 km2) drainage basin, which covers parts of six states and all of Washington, D.C.

Dorchester County, Maryland County in the United States

Dorchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. As of the 2010 census, the population was 32,618. Its county seat is Cambridge. The county was formed in 1669 and named for the Earl of Dorset, a family friend of the Calverts.

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Ecological Restoration

The Friends of Blackwater Refuge worked in conjunction with the National Aquarium in Baltimore on a major marsh restoration project at Barren Island in the Chesapeake Bay. Barren Island is located twelve miles south of the Choptank River and is part of the Chesapeake Marshlands NWR Complex; the island is adjacent to Blackwater Refuge.

The efforts of this partnership, which includes the Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA, the FWS, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Maryland Conservation Corps have resulted in the planting of over 302,000 native marsh grasses with the help of 927 volunteers totaling 7,700 volunteer hours.

Aquarium staff and the Friends of Blackwater Refuge have returned to the site semi-annually to monitor the success of the restoration project. Topographic, vegetative and fish utilization data have been collected. Initial monitoring indicates that the project has been successful as wave energy is being absorbed and sediment is in fact being accreted. A very natural marsh community which includes small invertebrates that live in the sediments, larger invertebrates including crabs and shrimp and fish and birds can be found in the more mature parts of the site that were planted in 2001. The more recently planted areas appear to be progressing well toward a similar community.

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Assateague Island

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Mattawoman Creek

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Suisun Marsh

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Napa Sonoma Marsh wetland in California

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Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge

The Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife refuge encompassing 965 acres (3.91 km2) located in the California coastal community of Seal Beach. Although it is located in Orange County it is included as part of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It was established in 1972.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

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Fishing Battery Light lighthouse in Maryland, United States

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Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge wildlife refuge

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The Water Resources Development Act of 1999, Pub.L. 106–53, was enacted by Congress of the United States on August 17, 1999. Most of the provisions of WRDA 1999 are administered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

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Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge

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Glenn Martin National Wildlife Refuge

Glenn Martin National Wildlife Refuge includes the northern half of Smith Island, which lies 11 miles (18 km) west of Crisfield, Maryland, and Watts Island, which is located between the eastern shore of Virginia and Tangier Island. Both islands are situated in the lower Chesapeake Bay.

Susquehanna River National Wildlife Refuge

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Garrett Island (Maryland) island in the United States of America

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Living shorelines

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Harris Creek (Maryland) is a tidal creek on the eastern shore of Maryland. It is a location for oyster restoration.

Greco Island island in the United States of America

Greco Island is a wetland in Redwood City, California. Greco Island is part of the larger Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Westpoint Slough follows the South side of the island while Redwood Creek is along the West. The San Francisco Bay bounds the North and East sides of the island.

References

  1. ↑ USGS Barren Island Quad, Maryland, Topographic Map.
  2. ↑ USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Research Showcase: The Exotic Mute Swan in Chesapeake Bay. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2008-05-10.


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