VOL. 39, NO. 4 WINTER 2025-26
NEWS
M A R S H
40 Years in the Life of Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary
By Patricia Delgado, Park Superintendent
T he Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary as we know it today was created by the hands, minds, and hearts of many people throughout 40 years of hard work and dedication. As we wrap up our 40th anniversary year, this article is a celebration of all the accomplishments so far and an appreciation of everyone who has left a mark in this special place! The Sanctuary’s strategic plan encapsulates its goals and objectives in four groups: people, protected habitats, science, and public access/facilities. This piece highlights accom- plishments from the past 40 years in each of these groups. People From the start, county leadership, staff, the friends group, community members, and partners laid the foundations on which the Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary we know today was built. These visionaries advocated and worked toward the establishment of a sanctuary to be managed for the conser- vation of habitat and wildlife, a place to enjoy and learn about nature, a living laboratory for monitoring and research where citizen participation is welcome, and ultimately as a place of stewardship where anyone can volunteer. The estab- lishment of the Friends of Jug Bay (FOJB) in 1986 as a nonprofit organization was also part of that vision; this created a supporting hand to foster the Sanctuary’s goals through financial contributions and active engagement.
Volunteers during a marsh cleanup.
Since its opening in 1985 as an Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks’ Natural and Cultural Area, the Sanctuary has been under the direction of three superintendents: Christine Gault was elected in 1985, Chris Swarth in 1989, and Patricia Delgado in 2013. During their tenures, the Sanctuary has evolved and changed. Staff has doubled, volunteers more than tripled, FOJB membership almost doubled, and public visitation increased by 15 fold. It is worth noting that the two park ranger positions filled this year are the very first two rang- ers the Sanctuary has had. Continued on page 4
Watershed Defenders INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 8 9 9 11
Celebrating Jug Bay’s 40th Anniversary
Sanctuary Grows by Two More Acres
Remembering Dotty Mumford
Jug Bay Observes Native American Heritage Month By Elizabeth Sieglinger, Sanctuary Education Coordinator A s stewards of the land, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary staff know it’s important to pay
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary 1361 Wrighton Road Lothian, MD 20711 410-222-8006 jugbay@aacounty.org www.jugbay.org
tribute to the natural and cultural heritage of the lands we’ve been tasked with shepherding. This means learning about our resources and sharing what we discover with our visitors. Did you know that people have lived in and around the Jug Bay area for more than 13,000 years?! Incredible, right? The Jug Bay area was once home to several indigenous tribes whose territories overlapped. The main tribe was the Patuxent, with overlap from the Piscataway and Susquehannock tribes. November was Native American Heritage Month, and to recognize the importance and
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary (JBWS) is owned and operated by Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks, with support from the Friends of Jug Bay. Established in 1985, our mission is to increase awareness, understanding, and appreciation of estuarine and other natural ecosystems and their conservation through outdoor education, research, stewardship, and volunteering.
SANCTUARY STAFF Patricia Delgado, Superintendent Nicholas Anderson, Park Ranger Joseph Carl Brown III, Maintenance
Sam Elliott, Maryland Climate Corps Member Debra Gage, Volunteer and Program Coordinator Gregory Imhoff, Seasonal Park Ranger Emilie Lahneman, Management Assistant Dave Linthicum , Naturalist Vicki Petersen, Office Manager David Rose, Maintenance Elizabeth Sieglinger , Education Coordinator Liana Vitali, Citizen Science and Stewardship Coordinator
pay tribute to the contributions and lived experiences of those who stewarded the lands before us, we hosted two new programs. The first was a presentation and hike led by County Archaeologist Drew Webster. The second was a guided hike that discussed the different ways the indigenous people would have used the land and resources, led by our own Park Ranger Nic Anderson. Both explored the vast knowledge and contributions left by these early people. To learn more about the indigenous peoples of Jug Bay, Anne Arundel County, and the broader Chesapeake Bay region, visit the Native American Heritage Toolbox (at losttownsproject.org/toolbox/) and all of its linked resources. Anne Arundel Annual and Senior Park Passes Now Available
FRIENDS OF JUG BAY OFFICERS Dennis Fravel, President Al Tucker , Treasurer Johnathon Pettit, Secretary
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Crystal Blake Gwen Brewer Allison Burnette Elaine Friebele
J ug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary is now accepting and selling Anne Arundel County Annual and Senior Park passes! These passes give you access to all Anne Arundel County regional parks. Purchase your 2026 annual
Steven Goldsmith Benjamin Graham Natalie Johnson
Doug Miller John Norris Colin Rees Eric Weyer
pass before December 31, 2025, for only $30 for residents and $40 for nonresidents. Starting January 1, 2026, annual park pass prices will increase to $40 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, and the daily park pass prices will increase to $8. A senior lifetime park pass runs $40. At Jug Bay, active volunteers and active and retired military with IDs will continue to have free entrance to the Sanctuary.
Marsh Notes is produced quarterly by Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Editor: Kim Couranz, kimcouranz@gmail.com Graphic Design: Laurie McDonald, lauriemcdonalddesign@gmail.com
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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Fellow members, FOJB congratulates Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary and staff for having a wonderful Music by the Marsh 40th Anniversary Celebration with so many people in attendance. FOJB board members, including me, found it a great opportunity to meet with Anne Arundel County’s Department of Recreation and Parks Director Jessica Lays and know that she is thankful for FOJB’s support of JBWS. Autumn passed quickly this year. In early October, it seemed to me that the leaf color was dull, but maybe I was just seeing yellowish tulip popular trees. But later the colors were gorgeous, and my wife and I spent several days in a row going to Jug Bay to be in the sunshine and enjoy looking at the red and orange tree color and then trying to identify the trees from the color and shape of fallen leaves.
During my visits to the Sanctuary in October, I noticed the parking lots quite full of vehicles at both the Sanctuary and Glendening Nature Preserve . Jug Bay staff confirmed that there was an uptick in visitation and it was likely due to the federal government shutdown. But I should have known because many federal properties were closed to the public during the shutdown, such as Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, Maryland, and the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. It is nice to know that the Sanctuary is thought of as an inspiring and quiet nature destination. I enjoyed several adventures this autumn at Jug Bay. The first was a mental adventure. The Sanctuary held its annual Critter Crawl on October 24, to celebrate Halloween. As part of the decorations, there was a row of jack-o’-lanterns leading from the parking lot to the Visitor Center door. The day after Critter Crawl, my wife and I noticed that behind the row of pumpkins were tombstones planted in the lawn. The stones had names such as Heath Hen 1932, Eastern Elk 1877, Passenger
Pigeon 1914, Eastern Cougar 1938, Carolina Parakeet 1939, and Maryland Darter 1988. I talked with a visitor and remarked about the tombstones, noting that the names of the wildlife listed on the tombstones were species made extinct by human actions, mainly killing the species. He was surprised, and then registered how human actions are not always great. My point here is that most people do not know the natural history of the world. How do we teach how precious nature is and what it means to humans? My other adventure was with Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Superintendent Pati Delgado and a small group of FOJB Board members. She took us to the Sanctuary’s Emory Waters section and we viewed the upper part of a couple of streams. These streams form where water runs under the entry road. The erosion is so bad that the bed of these streams is easily 10 to 25 feet below the surrounding terrain. One looked like a canyon with straight walls. Hopefully these will be remedied with the future stream restoration grant contracts. Thinking ahead to spring, I want to mention the needs of the amazing Butterfly Garden at Glendening Nature Preserve , which is a major attraction for visitors. Parents bring their children there to experience nature close up, and families bring their aging parents to see the garden. The Butterfly Garden needs volunteer help! The garden is tended by three volunteers (last year there were five volunteers). The volunteers work in the garden April–September. They do weeding, trimming, planting, and watering the garden (sometimes rain does not show up). Spring is coming, and if you have time to help the garden volunteers that would be great! For the most part, the garden is made up of native plants. Other non-native plants are big attractors for butterflies. The Butterfly Garden attracts many butterfly and bee species throughout the year. Jug Bay also has the Pollinator Garden in Emory Waters that is also tended to by volunteers. We don’t want these gardens to lapse this coming year! Look for FOJB’s popular Soup & Science lectures on Sundays in January, February, and March 2026. January will feature the topic of insects and March will feature birds around the Jug Bay environs. I hope to see you there! Happy Holidays!
President, Friends of Jug Bay dennisfravel@friendsofjugbay.org Dennis Fravel
VOLUNTEER AT JUG BAY Discover opportunities at jugbay.org/volunteer. For more information, contact Volunteer & Program Coordinator Debra Gage at rpgage00@aacounty.org or call 410-222-8006.
DONATIONS If you are interested in making a donation, please contact Debra Gage.
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For Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary’s hours of operation and event calendar, visit www.jugbay.org.
40 Years in the Life of Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary (Continued from page 1)
UPCOMING PROGRAMS SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026 Skunk Cabbage Swamp Stomp:
First Flower of the Year 11 a.m.–12 noon, at-home webinar 2–3:30 p.m., hike at the Sanctuary Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary 1361 Wrighton Rd., Lothian, MD 20711
Join volunteer Siobhán Percey on the 2026 Annual Skunk Cabbage Swamp Stomp! Siobhán is a Master Naturalist and Jug Bay’s resident skunk cabbage expert. Eastern skunk cabbage is Maryland’s first flower of the year, blooming in January. This is only one of
Everything the Sanctuary is, does, and has accomplished during the past 40 years is because of its people. The current scale of public and educational program- ming, stewardship, and citizen science activities is possible thanks to the many volunteers who donate their hours. Currently, more than 220 volunteers give more than 7,000 hours per year, which is valued at more than $243,000. But the spirit of volunteerism at Jug Bay is not new: In 1989, volunteers were already donating about 3,400 hours a year! Volunteers engage in
its fascinating characteristics. It is alleged to be more than 72 million years old, changing little over that time, an indisputable evolutionary success. It is an extraordinary plant, possessing peculiarities found in few others. Swamp Stomp includes two parts. From 11 a.m. to 12 noon, enjoy a virtual presentation in the warmth of your own home. Then, Siobhán will meet you at the Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Visitor Center at 2 p.m. to lead you on an off-trail walk. This to fasci- nating plant lives in the swamp along the wetland edges, so appropriate footwear is needed. The terrain is on a slope than may be muddy. Navigation around or over some fallen trees is necessary. Hiking poles are welcome. Don’t forget your boots! Ages: 12 and up. $10 per person. No refunds for participant cancellations or no shows. Registration required at www. jugbay.org. Visit the Event Calendar and click on the event. SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2026 Magnificent Marsh Mammals 3–5 p.m. Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary 1361 Wrighton Rd., Lothian, MD 20711
widely diverse opportuni- ties as naturalists, garden- ers, trail monitors, field data collectors, office greeters, program leads, land stew- ards, and more. Working as a well-oiled machine, all people components of the Sanctuary have accom- plished much in environ- mental education, land stewardship, and science.
Engaging visitors, school students, and diverse groups in environmental outdoor education has always been an integral part of the Sanctuary. In 1988, the first “marsh ecology by canoe” (still being offered today) made its debut as a public program and became an iconic offering to showcase the Sanctuary’s magnificent wetland habitat. By 1989, 30 to 40 school children were already participating in weekly guided education programs and the “Children’s Day” event attracted more than 300 participants. Although the number and types of educational programs offered have varied through the years, many visitors and students have and continue to benefit
What mammals inhabit our fascinating marshes at Jug Bay? Find out, and perhaps see some in person, on an evening hike through the woods and along the edge of the marsh. Join Chuck Hatcher, Jug Bay’s resident expert on otters, for
Participants in a canoe program learn about Jug Bay marshes (top) and students explore Mark’s Pond during a Nature Explorers Summer Camp (bottom).
a one- to three-mile walk. Look and listen for signs of activity while Chuck shares interesting facts about these magnificent marsh mammals. Open to all ages able to walk one to three miles. Bring a flashlight. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Fee $5 per person. No refunds for participant cancellation or no shows. Registration required at www.jugbay.org. Visit the Event Calendar and click on the event. With questions, call 410-222-8006 or email jugbay@aacounty.org.
from these hands-on learning experiences. Today, the Sanctuary offers more than 280 public programs a year with more than 2,600 participants. The recurring “Classrooms in the Field” programs engage more than 1,000 students yearly, logging
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more than 3,000 contact hours. In 2020, the Sanctuary received the Anne Arundel County Public Schools Partner of the Year award. Other significant accomplishments worth mentioning include: • T he South County Community Garden was started in 1993 at Jug Bay River Farm. Still operating after 32 years under volunteer lead- ership, it provides local families with a space for growing organic produce. It is also a resource for educational programs and a way to give back to the community by donating most of its produce. • In 2018, the Jug Bay Nature Preserve at Waysons Corner opened to the public. After years of protection, this Sanctuary parcel now offers hiking trails, a picnic area, and a nature discovery area for children. • In 2019, an international partnership with three Costa Rican parks was developed. This has provided professional development oppor- tunities and information exchanges in the areas of environmental education, land stewardship, and citizen science. This partnership was solidified in 2022 with the signing of a sisterhood agreement. Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary opened its doors with 210 acres, but has expanded significantly over the years to its current 1,797 acres. Protected Habitats Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary opened its doors with 210 acres, but has expanded significantly over the years to its current 1,797 acres. The biggest acreage increase occurred between 1995 and 2005 with the purchases of part of the River Farm property (1997), Glendening Nature Preserve (2001), and what is now the Emory Waters Nature Preserve (2004). The most recent acquisitions consisted of two small parcels purchased in 2021 and 2025 that totaled about 4 acres.
Celebrating 40 Years! JUG BAY WETLANDS SANCTUARY
ESTABLISHED IN 1985
1985-1995
JBWS opens to the public - 210 acres Friends of Jug Bay was founded Marsh boardwalk built 10 citizen science active programs First summer research intern JBWS joined CBNERR-MD Twining milkweed believed extinct in MD, rediscovered at JBWS FOJB stopped sand/gravel operations at what became Glendening Observation deck built Community garden began 35-year old MAPS and waterbird programs started 30-year long box turtle study started
1996-2005
JBWS expanded to 1,408 acres Sponsored 4 scientific conferences Interactive Exhibit installed in VC Resident Canada geese decimate wild rice in the marsh Published JBWS “ A Volunteer’s Guide” & Amphibians and Reptiles of Jug Bay Discovered new earthworm species Started forest habitat survey First prescribed burn at River Farm
2006-2015
JBWS expanded to 1,793 acres Built Otter Point boardwalk Janet Owens Covenant signed Ran the first BioBlitz First Citizen Science Symposium First Teen Paddle Program Renovated Plummer House Created Glendening butterfly garden Started deer management Built C. Swarth boardwalk Built first Nature Discovery Area
2016-2025
JBWS expanded to 1,797 acres Sanctuary received String of Pearls recognition for land protection Opened Nature Preserve at Wayson’s Corner with nature discovery area Began management of the Emory Waters Nature Preserve: planted 9K trees, created 18-acres of meadows, and built new trails Planted 8K trees in ash tree impacted forests Established an international sisterhood agreement with parks in Costa Rica Launched a new website Received AA Public Schools Partner of the Year award Building Phase I JBERD Field Station: overnight facilities Discovered 17 Century archaeological site th Created and restored 37 acres of pollinator meadows Rebuilt Marsh boardwalk & Two-Run Hired the first Park Rangers Secured more than 8 million dollars from grants to conduct a stream and shoreline restoration project at Emory Waters NP Creek boardwalk
Opened first QR code trail Built education pavilion
Patuxent River Conference was born Began fighting the emerald ash borer
www.jugbay.org
These words capture stewardship accomplishments through the years. Staff, volunteers, partners are the major forces behind the many successes in land stewardship and restoration.
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Land acquisition for long-term protection and conservation is at the root of Sanctuary goals. Efforts will continue to target the purchase of new parcels that will add more habitat and/or create a natural corridor with existing properties. In addition to land acqui- sition, the Sanctuary has also made strides toward creating and improving habitat health through stewardship and restoration efforts including control of invasive species, creation and remedia- tion of pollinator meadows, tree plantings, stream habitat restora- tion, and more. The 1990 designation of JBWS as a component of the Maryland Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (CBNERR-MD) was a major achievement. This allowed the Sanctuary’s incorpora- tion into a state-national partnership program that covers nearly 1.4 million acres of estuaries around the country. Much like the Sanctuary, National Estuarine Research Reserves focus on steward- ship, research, training, and education. As a CBNERR-MD compo- nent, the Sanctuary has access to grants, training opportunities, and other technical resources that enhance Sanctuary activities and expand its impact at the state and national levels. In 2016, JBWS was also designated as an Important Bird Area by Audubon Maryland-D.C. This designation highlights the need for the continued protection of Jug Bay tidal freshwater wetlands along the Patuxent River and the many species of birds (including soras and Virginia rails) and other wildlife it sustains. Another longstanding program that brings pride to the Sanctuary is the Summer Research Internship Program, which started in 1989. It is funded by FOJB. FOJB has played a key role in the protection of Sanctuary’s natural resources. This started even before the organization was created, as some of the to-be board members and community leaders were part of the group that actively advocated for the creation of the Sanctuary. In 1991, FOJB stopped Genstar Mining from starting a sand and gravel operation on the land that 10 years later became part of the Sanctuary as the Glendening Nature Preserve. In 2007, they fought to protect what is now the Nature Preserve at Waysons Corner from becoming a Target store. In the early 2010s, they helped stop plans for the relocation of the Renaissance Festival to Lothian, close to the Sanctuary. Today, FOJB continues to advocate for and support the Sanctuary in all of its activities. Science The first “researchy” program occurred in 1987; it was “The Great Herp Search.” By 1988-1989, 10 different citizen science programs were already running. These included bird, reptile, and amphibian inventories; water-quality monitoring; a small mammal study; moni- toring of terrestrial and aquatic plants; and a fish survey. Monitoring and research opportunities available for citizen science participation have grown and continue to be unique components of the Sanctuary. The creation of the Jug Bay Scientific Advisory Committee in 1987 by Superintendent Christine Gault was crucial to the develop-
A box turtle with transmitter (top) is monitored as part of the box turtle telemetry study (bottom).
ment of a rigorous and well-planned set of environmental monitor- ing programs, which continue today. Through the years, the Sanctuary has been proud to have world-famous scientists helping to guide its studies. These days, there are between 10 and 15 active citizen science programs that engage dedicated volunteers who give many hours to data collection. This data—in addition to increasing the knowledge on Sanctuary’s natural resources—also supports on-site land conser- vation and management and environmental education initiatives. We are proud to say that the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) project and the Waterbird Survey have run for 35 years and the box turtle telemetry study has been going for 30 years, each amassing an incredible amount of information. In 2024 alone, a total of 190 science volunteers participating in 11 different projects donated approximately 4,000 hours of their time to collect information. Volunteers have also made possible the completion of four Bioblitzes covering different Sanctuary properties. Another longstanding program that brings pride to the Sanctuary is the Summer Research Internship Program, which started in 1989. It is funded by FOJB. To date, the Sanctuary has mentored 81 under- graduate and graduate students from 53 different universities around the country. Many of these students have continued to pursue successful careers in the sciences.
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The scientific work accomplished in 40 years through in-house research, citizen science projects, research internships, and partner research institutions has led to many publications including reports, species lists, guides, peer-reviewed articles, and books. Some to high- light include The Ecology and History of Jug Bay: A Volunteer’s Guide , A Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Jug Bay , The Tidal Freshwater Wetlands , and Nature’s Calendar among others. The Sanctuary has also been a place of discovery. In 1990, 39 twin- ing milkweed ( Matelia carolinensis ) plants, considered extinct in Maryland, were rediscovered in the Sanctuary by naturalist Holly Budd. Similarly, a new species of earthworm ( Diplocardia patuxentis ) was discovered in Jug Bay and named by Katalyn Szlavecz from Johns Hopkins University. In 2018, Drs. Don Harvey and Timothy McMahon found a large nest aggregation of a very small bee, Perdita bradleyi , which had been found only once before in Maryland. In association with this nesting area they also found a rare cleptoparasite ( Sphecodes brachycephalus ), which also resulted in a new record for Maryland. In the realm of archaeology, in 2019 County archaeologists discovered a rare Clovis Point dating to up to 13,000 years ago. In 2021, they uncovered an important 17th-century archaeological site at the Jug Bay River Farm property. When talking about science, the discussion of information is as important as its dissemination. In addition to publications and its use in educational programming, the Sanctuary is proud to have collabo- rated with partners to start the local Patuxent River Conference (PAXCON). Beginning in 2015, nine editions of PAXCON have enabled local resource managers, educators, restoration practitio- ners, scientists, and anyone interested to share information and discuss issues facing the Patuxent River and other local watersheds. At the Sanctuary level, staff has organized themed conferences, workshops, and more recently Citizen Science Summits as venues for sharing information. Public Access/Facilities The Sanctuary has operated since the beginning as a limited-use and limited-access natural area. Use is based on a passive recreation philosophy, and public access is limited to allow nature time to rest. This model of operation has been key to defining the Sanctuary as we know it today and in fulfilling its protection and conservation goals. Visitors to the Sanctuary currently enjoy amenities such as a Visitor Center and exhibit room, natural trails, boardwalks, observa- tion decks, gardens, picnic and meeting spaces. This was not always the case: Infrastructure has been added through the years to enhance the visitors’ experience and enjoyment of the Park. The list on this page includes the incorporation of some of the key features the public continues to enjoy today. Looking To The Future We look forward to these ongoing and exciting projects: Jug Bay Education, Research, and Discovery (JBERD) Field Station This project started in 2020 with the main goal of building overnight facilities at the Jug Bay Emory Waters Nature Preserve. These facili- ties will support environmental research, outdoor education, the
enjoyment of nature, and the conservation of Sanctuary’s valuable habitats. The complex will include eight rustic cabins, a pavilion, bathhouse, fire pit, parking area, and an associated five-spot camp- ground. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Once the project is fully finished, this section of the Sanctuary will be open to the public. Stream and Shoreline Restoration Project This project will restore three highly eroded headwater streams and a section of shoreline at the Jug Bay Emory Waters Nature Preserve. The design phase started in 2023, and the construction phase is scheduled to start in 2026. In addition to the direct benefits from habitat restoration, this project will provide ample opportunities for research and education. Archaeology Research and Outreach The Sanctuary looks forward to continuing collaboration with archae- ologists from the Anne Arundel County’s Cultural Resources Section, Office of Planning & Zoning, to continue research and outreach efforts on Jug Bay’s rich Native and African American heritage. After 40 years of inspiring achievements, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary invites all of you to be part of building the next 40 years of exciting education, research, and stewardship successes!
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O n a slightly rainy and overcast September Saturday, and despite a last- minute venue change due to the poor weather forecast, more than 100 guests, volunteers, friends, and staff gathered to celebrate the 40th anniver- sary of Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary. Live music filled the air from two bands—More Dogs Than People and Legal Action—with a refreshing mix of covers and original tunes. Guests and staff dined on fresh-made tacos from the Tacos R Us food truck. Children climbed around several touch-a-trucks outside. Others voted on their favorite pieces of art at the indoor Muddy Creek Artist Guild exposi- tion featuring art almost exclusively inspired by Jug Bay itself. Anne Arundel County Council Member Shannon Leadbetter shared personal stories about her and her family’s experiences at the Sanctuary while Anne Arundel County Director of Recreation and Parks Jessica Leys touted this place as a natural gem within the county. Enjoy these photos, all taken by the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks, which capture the magic of this special day in the Sanctuary’s history. Celebrating Jug Bay’s 40th Anniversary By Liana Vitali, Sanctuary Citizen Science and Stewardship Coordinator
More Dogs Than People played covers and original music during their set.
The Muddy Creek Artist Guild exposition included some beautiful pieces.
Families enjoyed exploring tractors and more in the touch-a-truck exhibit.
Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks staff pose for a photo at the photobooth (top). Great tunes inspired children and adults to dance all afternoon long (right).
Partner organizations welcomed guests to their exhibit tables to learn about their history with Jug Bay.
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“Defensores de la Cuenca” (Watershed Defenders) Members Learn about Stream and Shoreline Restoration at Jug Bay By Patricia Delgado, Park Superintendent
T he construction phase of the stream and shoreline restora- tion project at Jug Bay Emory Waters Nature Preserve is sched- uled for the spring of 2026. While this project is designed to improve the health of three stream reaches and a stretch of shoreline, it also serves as a unique location and opportunity to learn and teach about the complex process of stream and shoreline restoration. A workshop highlighting aspects of project planning, design, and
construction was offered in Spanish to a group from Defensores de la Cuenca. Participants learned from experts about the causes and conse- quences of stream degradation, site assessment, the design process, restoration approach, and best practices in restoration construction, among other things. The workshop concluded with a site visit to see firsthand the current, preconstruction degraded conditions of streams
Defensores de la Cuenca participants learn from experts in the classroom and in the field.
and shoreline area. Follow-up workshops with Defensores de la Cuenca and other organizations will highlight postconstruction site status and monitoring.
Sanctuary Grows by Two More Acres By Dave Linthicum, Cartographer and Naturalist
A ll acreage is not the same! In April 2025, the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks purchased and added a small two-acre parcel to the Sanctuary land. But small doesn’t necessarily mean not important! The Sanctuary now includes all of the forested parcels without houses on the right as you drive in toward the Visitor Center (see map).
The new acquisition includes tidal marsh bordered by particu- larly large “specimen” hardwoods. A steep bluff rises 50 feet above the marsh, offering nice wintertime views of the Patuxent wetlands. As now part of the Sanctuary, this area will be protected, serving as a valuable forested buffer between the Visitor Center area and neigh- boring private land.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Thank you to friends who have supported us in 2025 through non-cash donations:
• WeCare Denali for 20+ cubic yards of recycled yard waste compost to the South County Community Garden • Anonymous for an office desk • Robbie Emmert for an office chair
• Blythe Alexander for an office chair • Lorraine Collins for an office desk and chair • Beth Sieglinger for a rug and chairs
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Welcome to Our New Team Member! By Coreen Weilminster, CBNERR-MD Education Coordinator
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary is a component of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Maryland (CBNERR-MD). The mission of the 30 Reserve sites across the country is to improve coastal resource management by increasing scientific understanding of estuarine systems and making estuarine research relevant, meaningful, and accessible to managers and stakeholders. STAFF Chris Snow Reserve Director chris.snow@maryland.gov Christine Burns C oastal Training Program Coordinator christine.burns1@maryland.gov Kyle Derby Research Coordinator kyle.derby@maryland.gov Shelby Johnson Restoration Coordinator shelby.johnson@maryland.gov Diane Leason Operations Manager diane.leason1@maryland.gov Becky Swerida Stewardship Coordinator rebecca.swerida@maryland.gov Coreen Weilminster Education Coordinator coreen.weilminster@maryland.gov Olivia Wisner Environmental Literacy Partnership Coordinator olivia.wisner1@maryland.gov WEBSITE https://dnr.maryland.gov/waters/cbnerr/ Pages/default.aspx
W e welcome Diane Leason as our new operations manager for the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (CBNERR) in Maryland. She will serve as the liaison to the friends’ groups and our onsite representative to our partners, assisting with projects and activities. Diane is a long-time resident of Maryland, having lived both in Calvert and Anne Arundel Counties. She earned a B.A. in economics from the University of Maryland in College Park, which led her to a job as economist with the Bureau of Economic Analysis where she stayed for 12 years. While working at the Bureau of Economic Analysis, she began to volunteer at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, monitoring salamanders and box turtles. During this volunteer work
Diane thrives outside!
she realized that research and being outdoors was where she belonged! She went back to school for an M.S. in wetland science. A wetland ecology course provided the direction her career would take. Diane was offered an opportunity to work with CBNERR on a science collaborative project studying ditched marshes on the Eastern Shore. After gradu- ation, she stayed at the university, working as a research assistant studying the impact of emerald ash borer on tidal freshwater forested wetlands. Diane’s research interests lie in plant responses to environmental changes. She loves preaching about the benefits of native plants to anyone who will listen, spending time with her family and friends, and doing just about anything outside. She is also a master natural- ist and certified yoga teacher.
Get Involved Ways We Can Save the Bay Everyone affects the Bay. Whether through volunteering or everyday choices, you can make a difference. Volunteers play a vital role in keeping the Reserve’s programs and projects thriving. Click the link below to explore how you can help! dnr.maryland.gov/waters/cbnerr/Pages/ volunteer.aspx
FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/CBNERR
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MARSH NOTES
Remembering Dotty Mumford By Chris Swarth L ong-serving volunteer Dorothy M. Mumford passed away on September 8 at the age of 89. An expert birder, Dotty, as she was known to everyone, was a solid part of the backbone of Jug Bay from the moment the Sanctuary opened in 1985. Birding was her passion, and soon she was conducting regular bird surveys in the forests and wetlands. She established baseline monitoring surveys of the bird populations—studies that continue today. For decades she shared her naturalist expertise with others, educating visitors, volunteers, and students. She was unabashed in her love for the Sanctuary and the need to remain vigilant in protecting its natural habitats and wildlife. And in her lifetime she saw dramatic changes in habitats. She grew up on the outskirts of Annapolis and as a young girl used to ride her horse on land that is now the Annapolis Mall. Her devotion to birds came later, during a months-long solo camping trip from the West Coast back to Maryland. There weren’t many guidebooks in those days, so she taught herself with the help of binoculars and all the local birders she could find. By the time she reached Annapolis, she was ready to help others. She loved scanning the river and wetlands for the common and not-so-common birds, and she added a number of first records to the Sanctuary bird list. Notable was a European shorebird—a ruff— she found foraging along the Marsh Boardwalk in April 1991. During the 1992 Audubon Christmas Bird Count, she and Chris Swarth were surprised when a single sandhill crane flew over them at Otter Point.
Dotty is leftmost in this photo of Friends of Jug Bay presidents.
As the Sanctuary grew, so did her contributions. She was a stead- fast volunteer, willing to take on a great range of jobs. She staffed the office on weekends, and she always lent a hand to our big annual events such as the long-running Children’s Day. For more than 15 years, Dotty was on the board of the Friends of Jug Bay. For many of those years she was in charge of membership, but she served a term as president in 1994 and 1995—a crucial and exciting period for the FOJB and the Sanctuary. This was when the Genstar proposal for a sand and gravel mine, which would have destroyed the Glendening Reserve, was soundly defeated. Dotty approved the creation of the Jug Bay Award and presented the first one to Delegate Virginia Claggett at the Sanctuary’s ten-year anni- versary celebration in 1995. During her term, FOJB also began ambi- tious fundraising efforts that led to new wetland exhibits, voted to start providing summer stipends for two university summer interns, and received a grant to hire the first paid volunteer coordinator. Dotty’s accomplishments, dedication, and spirit can be appreci- ated by all those who enjoy the Sanctuary today.
Two-Run Creek Boardwalk Makeover By Elizabeth Sieglinger, Sanctuary Education Coordinator
A wooden boardwalk, platform, and bridge connect the Sanctuary to River Farm and Emory Waters across the Two-Run Creek and floodplain. In addition to being part of the trail, this highly used portion of the Sanctuary offers access to our stream for educational programming and learning, and is used by volunteers who need to complete monthly water quality testing. Lovingly referred to as Mickey’s bridge, this feature was originally built in 2006. The project was spearheaded by Mickey Taylor and seven other volunteers, with critical help from staff members John Evans and Frank Speaks. Over the last 20 years, the well- loved and heavily trodden boardwalk and bridge have also been subject to the elements, including the overflowing Two-Run when its waters swelled. Needless to say, the struc- ture was in desperate need of some TLC. Relief came this past summer as the entire length of the boardwalk, the bridge, and the stairs leading up to the Upper Railroad Bed trail were all replaced. This upgrade is lovingly appreciated.
The newly rebuilt boardwalk will provide access and enjoyment for years to come.
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WINTER 2025-26
W I N T E R 2025
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary
1361 Wrighton Road Lothian, MD 20711 410-222-8006
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Visitor Center 1361 Wrighton Road,Lothian, MD 20711 Jan 1, 2026 10 am-1 pm First Day Hike
VOLUNTEER AT JUG BAY! Discover opportunities at jugbay.org/ volunteer For more information, contact Volunteer & Program Coordinator Debra Gage at rpgage00@ aacounty.org or call 410-222-8006.
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Out with the old, in with the new! Start 2026 out with a refreshing, rejuvenating hike in the great outdoors.
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