Volunteers are needed for a habitat restoration workday at Dorchester Pond.

We’ll be working with loppers and brush saws to cut back woody species including native red maple and sweetgum. The result of all this work will be increased sunny, open areas of habitat for a variety of rare grasses and wildflowers, including some that are found nowhere else in the state!

Work will be conducted rain or shine. The workday will be cancelled if hazardous weather is predicted. For more information or to sign up, please email Deborah Landau, Conservation Ecologist, at dlandau@TNC.ORG. Directions and additional information will be provided.

WHAT TO BRING:

Bring plenty of drinking water, lunch, sun protection, and bug protection. Bring work gloves and any loppers, and saws you may have; we’ll have extra tools on hand. Bring rain gear; be prepared for weather changes. Pets are not allowed on Conservancy preserves or during work days.

WHAT TO WEAR:

Tick alert! Wear long sleeves and pants. The area we’ll be working in may be muddy and mucky. Bring waterproof boots, or boots you don’t mind getting muddy and mucky. You may want to bring a dry set of footwear for the ride home. Wearing light colors will help you to spot and remove ticks.

BAD WEATHER / CANCELLATION

We’ll work in a light to moderate rain. If hazardous weather is predicted, we’ll cancel, so please make sure you sign up and get a confirmation email, so we can contact you. On the morning of the project, you MAY be able to reach us BY cell phone (signal not guaranteed in all areas!) at 240-888-2041, so if you are terribly lost or late, feel free to give it a try!

NATURAL HISTORY

Coastal plain ponds, also known as Delmarva bays, are seasonally flooded freshwater wetlands and one of the state’s rarest natural communities. Dorchester Pond is the largest coastal plain pond in Maryland, and possibly on the Delmarva Peninsula.

The seasonal flooding and saturated soils discourage many tree species, thus creating a meadow-like opening in the forest dominated by grasses and sedges. Although the surrounding forest is essential to the health of the bays, it is the openings that harbor the globally and state-rare plant and animal species.