Poplar Island is known throughout the world as a singular and continuing ecological and economic success. Learn how the beneficial use of dredged material is being used to restore habitat on the Chesapeake Bay AND keep the port of Baltimore open to shipping.
Learn about Poplar Island’s unique story and continuing habitat successes in this talk given by Kristina Motley from Maryland Environmental Service. Poplar Island is an environmental restoration project located in the Chesapeake Bay of Talbot County, Maryland. The beneficial use project, started in the 1990’s, relies on dredged material collected from the approach channels to the Baltimore Harbor to restore lost remote island habitat within the Chesapeake Bay.
The project partnership between Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Maryland Environmental Service has been in place for over 20 years and has seen the restoration of almost 400 acres of wetland habitat. Upland habitat and additional wetland habitat are planned and the island is slated to be completed in the 2040’s. Over 400 different species of wildlife have been documented and over 30 different birds have been confirmed as nesting onsite.
Participants in this course will get early pre-registration access to upcoming tours of Poplar Island in the Spring Semester along with those who were wait-listed for the Fall Semester tours.
What to expect: In this course, you will learn about the beneficial use of dredged material and how it is being used to restore habitat on Poplar Island. You will also learn about the three goals of the island.
Feedback from Kristina’s last program for us:
“Highly recommended for all to see what our federal and state taxes are being used to accomplish great things.”
“Kristina was remarkably well informed on so many topics related to Poplar Island …from plants/grasses to birds/fish/4 legged animals to history to geology. Can’t wait for our next trek to Poplar Island.”
“The last time we visited Poplar Island, it looked like a construction zone. Now we can see what the vision is! And what a great job this project is doing for the environment of the bay! BRAVO! Kristina and her guests from the University of Maryland did a great job answering our questions and explaining what they have learned as they go.”
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