The maryland department of natural resources (mdnr) and our land protection partners are pleased to submit a request for $1000000 to place perpetual conservation easements on 1118.754 acres of coastal…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, through the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration program (CFDA 15.614), awarded a $1,702,561 Project Grant to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). The grant will fund the placement of perpetual conservation easements on 1,118.754 acres of coastal wetlands and uplands in Dorchester County, Maryland, expanding the resilience of the nearby Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area. The project will secure habitat for priority migratory bird and wildlife species, facilitate future inland marsh migration, and enhance overall coastal resilience. MDNR is collaborating with the State of Maryland Executive Office's Volunteer Maryland division on this initiative, which is expected to be completed by September 30, 2027.

The maryland department of natural resources (mdnr) and our land protection partners are pleased to submit a request for $1000000 to place perpetual conservation easements on 1118.754 acres of coastal wetlands and uplands in dorchester county maryland through the middle chesapeake sentinel landscape resilience initiative. Permanent protection of five properties (seven parcels) located to the northeast of the U.S. Fish and wildlife service (USFWS) blackwater national wildlife refuge expands resilience of the refuge and nearby fishing BAY wildlife management area (WMA) for coastal fish and wildlife. Protection of these properties facilitates inland marsh migration in the future and enhances coastal resilience. Protection of these properties will secure habitat for many of the highest priority species of migratory birds and other wildlife species of greatest conservation need in an area of regional importance.