Blackwater adds 400 acres

CAMBRIDGE --Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge has added a property of more than 400 acres that will support present and future wildlife habitat management needs and maintain the region's ecological diversity.

Located on a high ridge near the southern end of the refuge boundary, the acquired tract features both wetlands and dry forested habitats. As sea levels rise, this upland property will eventually transition into emergent marsh habitat, enabling the migration and adaption of crucial wetland habitats essential for the seasonal wildfowl.

Thanks to the effort of the Maryland Congressional delegation, Congress appropriated $2 million in 2009 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the Blackwater NWR's land acquisition program. Part of that funding enabled the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire the property from The Conservation Fund.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Incorporates Key Property for ...

July 28, 2011

One of the Chesapeake Bay is the most important and dynamic coastal habitats gained additional protection through conservation efforts of the Chesapeake, Maryland, the Congress delegation and The Conservation Fund. Under the leadership of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) has added a vital property of 400 acres that will support current and future needs for managing wildlife habitat and maintain ecological diversity of the region.

Spanning more than 27,000 acres on Maryland’s scenic Eastern Shore, Blackwater NWR protects some of the most important habitat for birds along the critical migration highway called the Atlantic Flyway. Located on a high ridge near the southern end of the refuge boundary, the acquired tract features both wetlands and dry forested habitats perfect for various migratory bird species including bald eagles, osprey, wood and black ducks as well as forest-dwelling, marsh and water birds. As sea levels rise, this upland property will eventually transition into emergent marsh habitat, enabling the migration and adaption of crucial wetland habitats essential for the seasonal wildfowl.

“This is a wonderful addition to the Blackwater Refuge and terrific conservation milestone. We were pleased to partner with The Conservation Fund to protect this property, which is one of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s highest land acquisition priorities within the refuge boundary,” said Joel Dunn, executive director of the Chesapeake Conservancy. “We greatly appreciate the leadership of the Maryland Congressional delegation and the Department of the Interior to protect this special place.”

“We are pleased with this important addition to the Refuge which will help support multiple goals outlined in our Comprehensive Conservation Plan and will play a key role in supporting the developing sea level adaptation planning effort that is currently underway,” said Suzanne Baird, refuge manager for the Chesapeake Marshlands NWR Complex. “This new addition would not be possible without the significant support of partners.”

Thanks to the effort of the Maryland Congressional delegation, Congress appropriated $2 million in 2009 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) for the Blackwater NWR’s land acquisition program. Part of that funding enabled the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire the property from The Conservation Fund in June. The LWCF program receives significant revenue from the development of federally-owned offshore oil and gas rights.

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