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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MARSH NOTES
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