Friends of Eastern Neck
Interactive Partnership
The Friends of Eastern Neck (FOEN) recently awarded $15,800 to the Center for Environment & Society at Washington College. The grant is being used to develop education and outreach programs at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (ENNWR).
A spectrum of programs will promote the appreciation and conservation of fragile island resources while cultivating volunteer stewardship of the wildlife refuge. Gren Whitman, President of the Friends, says: "Our ongoing relationship with Washington College is helping to raise awareness of the natural, cultural and historic resources of Eastern Neck Island."
A project manager, JoAnn Fairchild, is serving as liaison between the respective organizations, US Fish and Wildlife staff, and other stakeholders. "Our goal is to engage volunteers, visitors, public school groups and community members in stewardship of the Refuge and the Chesapeake Bay watershed," she says.
Activities may include classes and workshops, guided tours of Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, collaborative programs at Chino Farms, cruises aboard the College's new research vessel Callinectes, and special events to complement existing activities like shoreline clean-ups, kayaking trips, and field excursions. "We want to engage visitors in a quality natural experience, making them more aware of their connection to —and impact on —the natural world," says Fairchild.
The Center was awarded a Coastal America Partnership Award on April 21, 2010, for its contributions to the Hail Cove Living Shoreline Project. Coastal America is a group of federal agencies, state and local governments, and private organizations established in 1992 to protect, preserve, and restore the nation's coastal resources. View pictures and video from the event and the Hail Cove restoration.
Upcoming Events
February 20, 2012
9:30-11:30 AM
Eastern Neck NWR
Look for eagles, turkeys, and other bird species. Nancy Martin, president, and Walter Ellison of the Kent County Bird Club will guide. Sponsored by the Center for Environment & Society and The Friends of Eastern Neck, Inc. Meet at the Refuge Office, 1730 Eastern Neck Road, Rock Hall. Reservations required. Contact JoAnn Fairchild at jfairchild2@washcoll.edu or 410-778-7295 for more information.
Past Events
December 10, 2011
Eastern Neck Island Open House
Refuge facilities include miles of hiking paths through woods and meadows, a small natural history/visitor center, ponds, beach access, wildlife and waterfowl observation decks, a watertrail with public access, a butterfly garden (pretty even in winter), a caretaker's house, relaxing picnic areas, bike racks, a small gift shop, clean restrooms and an ample visitor parking lot.
- 9:00 AM: Tubby Cove and Boxes Point bird walk
- 10:30 AM: Cedar Point Wildlife walk
- 11:00 AM: Green Tree Reservoir tour
- 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM: Music by Ben and Friends
- 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM: Lunch under the big tent
- 1:30 PM: Shipyard Creek wildlife walk
- 2:30 PM: DU Impoundment/ Cedar Pond tour
ENNWR is located at 1730 Eastern Neck Road in Rock Hall. To learn more about volunteer opportunities through the Friends of Eastern Neck, Inc. visit www.fws.gov/northeast/easternneck/ or call (410) 639-7056. To learn more about the open house, contact jfairchild2@washcoll.edu or 410-778-7295.
October 23, 2011
Eastern Neck Island Cleanup
1:00-3:00 PM
The Friends of Eastern Neck, US Fish and Wildlife, and Washington College sponsored a shoreline clean-up at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday, October 23, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Trash bags, gloves, bug spray, sunscreen, bottled water and snacks were provided for all volunteers who came out to E. Neck Island to pick up trash and debris.
With the addition of the Washington College Baseball team, the turnout was 31 total folks! Areas cleaned up included:
- both sides of main refuge road from bridge to Tubby Cove
- both sides of Tubby Cove Boardwalk
- both sides of road to Bogles Wharf
- parking lot and boat ramp area at Bogles Wharf
The Friends of Eastern Neck, Inc. is a non-profit organization that supports the missions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Eastern Neck NWR through financial, advocacy, and volunteer support. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Eastern Neck, visit http://friendsofeasternneck.org/ or call (410) 639-7056.
March 30, 2011
Nature Photography Workshop at ENNWR
4:45 PM to 7:45 PM
Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge
1730 Eastern Neck Road, Rock Hall MD 21661
Brian Palmer, manager of the Multimedia Production Center at Washington College, will teach a Nature Photography Workshop at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge on March 30, 2011, from 4:45 PM until sunset. The class will explore camera techniques, lighting, digital darkroom technology and post-production applicable to wildlife, landscape and macro photography.
This event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Space is limited to 18 people. Refreshments provided during the 90-minute classroom period at the Visitor Center. Immediately following, participants head outdoors for hands-on practice. Bring your own camera, snack and water. Presented by the Friends of Eastern Neck and Washington College's Center for Environment & Society. Contact jfairchild2@washcoll.edu or (410) 778-7295.
April 30, 2011
Shoreline Cleanup at ENNWR
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge
1730 Eastern Neck Road, Rock Hall MD 21661
All are welcome. Trash bags, gloves, sunscreen, snacks and water provided. Meet at the entrance to the island. Sponsored by the Friends of E Neck and the Center for Environment & Society. Contact jfairchild2@washcoll.edu or (410) 778-7295.
Spring Clean-up
Volunteers picked up a total of 455 pounds of trash at the shoreline clean-up on May 1st, 2010. Jon Beck worked with a local Boy Scout Troop that picked up 208 pounds of trash in the morning. Later that afternoon, the Washington College group picked up 247 pounds of litter that washed ashore over the winter. See photos and video at: Clean Up 2010.
Ancient Mariners
Two third grade classes from Garnett Elementary School in Chestertown visited the island on May 27, 2010 for a program on horseshoe crab ecology, followed a week later by the 3rd grade class at Kent School. Martha Shaum, from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, explained the migration and nesting behaviors of these ancient mariners. While the creatures are most active at high tide during a full moon, the students still had fun walking the beach to look for horseshoe crabs in their natural habitat. Afterwards they visited the Butterfly Garden. Many thanks to JoAnn Fairchild and Gren Whitman for arranging this program. Watch the video at: Horseshoe Crab Ecology Program.