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.
5
WINTER 2025-26
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online