The Nature Conservancy MD/DC

07/09/2026

See ecological restoration in action at Nassawango Creek Preserve! 🌿🔥

Join The Nature Conservancy and the Maryland Prescribed Fire Council for a special field tour as part of the 2026 NE-MW Prescribed Fire Science and Management Workshop.

Explore this 10,000-acre preserve of protected habitat along one of the Eastern Shore's most pristine waterways and see firsthand how prescribed fire, timber management, and other restoration practices are helping restore and maintain rare plant communities, support wildlife, and increase the resilience of this remarkable landscape.

During this outdoor tour, you'll travel throughout the preserve, visit active restoration sites, and learn about:
✅ Fire ecology and prescribed burn history
✅ Plant and wildlife responses to restoration
✅ The role of fire in maintaining healthy ecosystems
✅ And more!

📅 Wednesday, July 22
⏰ 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍 Nassawango Creek Preserve at 32930 Johnson Rd., Salisbury, MD 21804

This is a free event, but registration is required.

🔗 Register here: https://nature.ly/4gqEBhm

06/30/2026

For 30 years, we’ve been working to bring red spruce forests back to Appalachia. 🌲This spring marked our 30th annual tree planting where thousands of seedlings went into the ground thanks to dedicated volunteers and partners.

And now, a new published book is capturing what we’ve learned along the way, bringing together decades of research from more than 40 scientists, including TNC experts.

From seedlings to science, this work is helping restore a forest and shape its future.

🔗 Learn more here: https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/red-spruce-ecology-book/

06/22/2026

We’re excited to share a new open-access book: Ecology and Restoration of Red Spruce Ecosystems in the Central and Southern Appalachian Mountains 🌲

This “state of the science” brings together over 40 experts, including TNC scientists from the eastern U.S., to synthesize what we know about red spruce ecosystems and how to restore them.

Built on more than three decades of partnership through Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative (CASRI) and SASRI, this book is a go-to resource for restoration practitioners, researchers, and anyone passionate about Appalachian forests.

Read the article to learn more: https://nature.ly/4eqbTvC
Download the free book: https://nature.ly/43Sbqwd

🎨 Cover art by Carly Thaw

06/10/2026

Okay everyone...are you ready for something new and cool? 🥾🌿

If you've ever hiked the Billy Goat Trail - Section A and thought, "Hmm I really wish I knew what kind of birds, trees, and historic sites are around me right now," then you'll be excited to hear that we have a brand-new audio tour of Bear Island for your listening pleasure!

Before you head out, download the free TravelStorys app to your mobile device. You can also scan the QR code at the trailhead. It's like having a naturalist in your pocket as you learn more about the ecological, historical and geological stories that make this preserve so special!

Happy listening, and let us know how you like it! 💚

Get a preview of the tour here: https://nature.ly/49NPEx1

06/08/2026

It's a Monday Critter Cam Check - World Ocean Day edition! 🌊🐟

Some board members and TNC staff got to meet some Atlantic Sturgeon at the NOAA Environmental Science Training Center a few weeks ago. One of seven species of sturgeon in North America, the Atlantic Sturgeon has been known to migrate as far north as Labrador, Canada, and as far south as Cape Canaveral, Florida!

These living fossils have been vibing in freshwater and saltwater ecosystems since the dinosaurs roamed the earth. But today, threats like unintended catch, dams blocking access to spawning areas, poor water quality, dredging, and more have kept the Atlantic Sturgeon on the endangered species list since 2012.

Protecting our oceans and coastal waters is vital for the survival of this species and many more. The ocean plays an essential role in each of our lives, no matter where we live.

Also, have you ever seen a fish with a more boop-able snout??

To learn more about TNC's work protecting our oceans, check out our website: https://nature.ly/4fu9T6w

06/05/2026

Missing the rain? So are the plants! 🌾 Wicomico County on Maryland's eastern shore is experiencing some serious dry conditions, stressing crops, lowering water levels, and causing wildlife to roam farther distances to find food and water.

Our Director of Ecological Management, Deborah Landau, shared her perspective in a recent article released by WBOC.

“You really need a longer period of rain,” Landau said. “If we’re in this drought, the soil becomes so dry that it’s just no longer able to absorb that water. So much of it is just going to run off.”

Nature-based solutions like floodplain and river restoration and forestry best practices can help with drought resilience. Because supporting healthy lands and waters leads to benefits for all!

Check out the article to learn more.

Dry conditions across Wicomico County are forcing local growers to increase irrigation while placing additional stress on plants, wildlife and waterways.

06/01/2026

Monday Critter Cam at Nassawango! Some curious red foxes stopped by and stole the show. 🦊

These clever mammals are a common (but still magical) sight across Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where marshes, forests, and farm edges give them space to hunt, den, and raise their young.

Red foxes are highly adaptable, but they still rely on healthy habitat—especially corridors of natural land that connect feeding and denning areas. As development and rising waters reshape the Eastern Shore, protecting these landscapes helps ensure wildlife like red foxes can continue to thrive. 🧡

05/27/2026

Guess who wandered into frame! 🐻 These black bears were spotted on wildlife cameras set up as part of a University of Maryland study at North Cherry Creek Bog Preserve and near Finzel Swamp Preserve.

Researchers are using tools like wildlife cameras and hair snares—a simple, non-invasive method where barbed wire is wrapped around trees with a scent lure to collect a few strands of fur as bears pass through. Those samples help scientists identify individual bears and estimate population size.

After nearly disappearing in the 1800s, black bears are making a steady comeback—and showing up in new areas across Maryland. This research helps track where bears are moving and how to reduce human-bear conflicts as their range expands.

This work is conducted with proper permits and follows established research protocols.

05/26/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us last Friday for our volunteer trail workday at Great Falls Park! 🌿

In partnership with the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club - PATC, volunteers spent the day restoring the Gold Mine Spur Trail—clearing branches, moving rocks, and rebuilding steps.

Thanks to your hard work and dedication, this beloved trail is in better shape for all who explore it.

We’re so grateful for the time, energy, and care you bring to protecting special places like Great Falls. 💚

Check out a few highlights from the day!

📸 Vera Hernandez

05/23/2026

Join us for Maryland’s first-ever prescribed fire festival, Fire in the Forest, on May 30 from 9 AM–3 PM at Furnace Town! 🔥

This free, family-friendly event will explore how prescribed fire helps restore habitats, improve forest health, and support wildlife across the Eastern Shore. 🌿🐦

The Nature Conservancy will be joining experts and partners to talk about the benefits of prescribed fire through:
✅ Interactive exhibits and demonstrations
✅ Up-close looks at fire management tools and technology
✅ Guided tours of recently burned areas on nearby state lands
✅ Conversations about how fire supports birds, forests, and local ecosystems

Whether you're curious about fire ecology or just looking for a unique outdoor experience, there’s something for everyone.

📍 Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum
📆 May 30, 9 AM – 3 PM

We hope to see you there!