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
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