https://chestertownspy.org Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown Mon, 28 Apr 2025 14:03:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/28/bay-journal-usda-shuts-down-climate-smart-program/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/28/bay-journal-usda-shuts-down-climate-smart-program/#respond Mon, 28 Apr 2025 11:00:20 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/28/bay-journal-usda-shuts-down-climate-smart-program/ The U.S. Department of Agriculture in April announced the termination of its $3 billion “climate smart” program, a grantmaking initiative that was supporting hundreds of millions of dollars in conservation work in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. An April 14 USDA press release called the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, which promoted farm conservation measures with climate […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/28/bay-journal-usda-shuts-down-climate-smart-program/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/22/eslc-first-in-md-to-implement-quick-reef-for-living-shoreline-restoration/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/22/eslc-first-in-md-to-implement-quick-reef-for-living-shoreline-restoration/#respond Tue, 22 Apr 2025 11:00:22 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/22/eslc-first-in-md-to-implement-quick-reef-for-living-shoreline-restoration/ Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and Native Shorelines, a Davey Tree Company, are excited to announce that we will be the first in Maryland to implement an innovative new living shoreline material called QuickReef! Our pilot project, managed by ESLC Enhanced Stewardship Manager Larisa Prezioso, will protect a beautiful expanse of tidal saltmarsh habitat fronting a […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/22/eslc-first-in-md-to-implement-quick-reef-for-living-shoreline-restoration/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/21/eslcs-steve-kline-on-conservation-funding-cuts-and-painful-loss-of-local-land-control-to-the-state/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/21/eslcs-steve-kline-on-conservation-funding-cuts-and-painful-loss-of-local-land-control-to-the-state/#comments Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:34:44 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/21/eslcs-steve-kline-on-conservation-funding-cuts-and-painful-loss-of-local-land-control-to-the-state/ While it may be true that the land conservation movement has faced tough times before, particularly on the Eastern Shore, according to Steve Kline, the president of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, it’s hard to remember a more dire moment for preserving essential landscapes.  The combination of a significant drop in state funding for such […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/21/eslcs-steve-kline-on-conservation-funding-cuts-and-painful-loss-of-local-land-control-to-the-state/feed/ 1 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/17/youth-environmental-action-summit-inspires-local-students/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/17/youth-environmental-action-summit-inspires-local-students/#respond Thu, 17 Apr 2025 10:00:15 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/17/youth-environmental-action-summit-inspires-local-students/ Last month, high school students from Kent, Caroline, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, and Dorchester counties gathered at Chesapeake College for ShoreRivers’ fourth annual Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit. More than 130 students were in attendance from 10 different schools. This annual Summit aims to empower future leaders of the environmental movement to take action now. […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/17/youth-environmental-action-summit-inspires-local-students/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/10/shorerivers-offers-hands-on-expeditions-2/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/10/shorerivers-offers-hands-on-expeditions-2/#respond Thu, 10 Apr 2025 10:00:33 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/?p=183514 ShoreRivers is inviting the public to get out in their communities and explore their local waterways this year through a series of expeditions around the region. On the schedule are: A walking tour of Chestertown centered on environmental justice on Wednesday, April 30 ●      A book reading and beach exploration for children with Mermaid Tasha on Saturday, May 10 ●      A spring paddle […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/10/shorerivers-offers-hands-on-expeditions-2/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/09/shorerivers-offers-hands-on-experience/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/09/shorerivers-offers-hands-on-experience/#respond Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:00:56 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/?p=183486 ShoreRivers is inviting the public to get out in their communities and explore their local waterways this year through a series of expeditions around the region. On the schedule are: A walking tour of Chestertown centered on environmental justice on Wednesday, April 30 ●      A book reading and beach exploration for children with Mermaid Tasha on Saturday, May 10 ●      A spring paddle […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/09/shorerivers-offers-hands-on-experience/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/03/2025-waterfowl-community-in-conservation-grant-fund-open-for-applications/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/03/2025-waterfowl-community-in-conservation-grant-fund-open-for-applications/#respond Thu, 03 Apr 2025 10:00:04 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/?p=183366 Easton, MD – The Waterfowl Festival is excited to match resources with environmental needs across the region through its annual “Community in Conservation” funding program. These grants, supported by proceeds from the annual Waterfowl Festival event offer non-profits and community entities the chance to receive monies for projects and initiatives at the intersection of conservation […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/03/2025-waterfowl-community-in-conservation-grant-fund-open-for-applications/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/18/the-solar-land-rush-a-farmers-perspective-with-judy-gifford/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/18/the-solar-land-rush-a-farmers-perspective-with-judy-gifford/#comments Tue, 18 Mar 2025 13:08:57 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/?p=183056   http:// Over the past 50 years, the pursuit of renewable energy has been driven by advocates who see large solar arrays as a crucial step toward reducing dependence on fossil fuels.. Critics, however, argue that the land available for solar arrays is limited, and the large-scale expansion of solar farms could compete with agricultural […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/18/the-solar-land-rush-a-farmers-perspective-with-judy-gifford/feed/ 2 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/07/riverkeepers-to-host-annual-state-of-the-rivers-series-3/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/07/riverkeepers-to-host-annual-state-of-the-rivers-series-3/#respond Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:00:12 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/07/riverkeepers-to-host-annual-state-of-the-rivers-series-3/ ShoreRivers is pleased to announce the return of its highly anticipated State of the Rivers events — a series of free presentations held each spring to inform the public about the current state of our Eastern Shore waterways and what we can all do to protect and restore them. Whether this will be your first […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/07/riverkeepers-to-host-annual-state-of-the-rivers-series-3/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/26/maryland-residents-want-a-menu-of-energy-generation-options-poll-shows/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/26/maryland-residents-want-a-menu-of-energy-generation-options-poll-shows/#comments Wed, 26 Feb 2025 13:00:56 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/26/maryland-residents-want-a-menu-of-energy-generation-options-poll-shows/  A new UMBC poll finds residents want a range of energy generation options but only a minority favored electricity generation from coal plants. (File photo courtesy the Integration and Application Network, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science) Marylanders support a variety of options for increasing energy generation in the state except for one, according […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/26/maryland-residents-want-a-menu-of-energy-generation-options-poll-shows/feed/ 1 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/20/state-park-about-to-be-added-to-last-maryland-county-without-one/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/20/state-park-about-to-be-added-to-last-maryland-county-without-one/#respond Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:00:46 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/20/state-park-about-to-be-added-to-last-maryland-county-without-one/ All but one of Maryland’s 23 counties contains at least one state park. But that could change soon. Wicomico County is home to more than 100,000 residents as well as the Eastern Shore’s largest city, Salisbury, but no state parks — although one appears to be in the offing after a Feb. 12 vote by […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/20/state-park-about-to-be-added-to-last-maryland-county-without-one/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/20/the-magic-of-frogs-and-forts-at-pickering-creek-ecocamp/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/20/the-magic-of-frogs-and-forts-at-pickering-creek-ecocamp/#respond Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:00:43 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/20/the-magic-of-frogs-and-forts-at-pickering-creek-ecocamp/ Meander through mud, wallow in the wetland, and frolic in the forest at our summer EcoCamp! Our exciting, unique, and hands-on activities allow campers to engage with nature at their own pace, by providing a welcoming and safe environment to explore. Campers learn about nature and gain outdoor skills through hiking, swimming, playing games, fishing, […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/20/the-magic-of-frogs-and-forts-at-pickering-creek-ecocamp/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/20/university-of-maryland-the-woods-in-your-backyard-online-course-2/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/20/university-of-maryland-the-woods-in-your-backyard-online-course-2/#respond Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:00:28 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/20/university-of-maryland-the-woods-in-your-backyard-online-course-2/ Registration is now open for the spring 2025 of “The Woods in Your Backyard” online course from the University of Maryland Extension’s Woodland Stewardship Education program. Our self-directed, non-credit course runs 10 weeks from March 24 to June 2, 2025. The course will help landowners convert lawn to natural areas, and enhance stewardship of existing natural […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/20/university-of-maryland-the-woods-in-your-backyard-online-course-2/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/20/new-polling-finds-strong-eastern-shore-support-for-offshore-wind/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/20/new-polling-finds-strong-eastern-shore-support-for-offshore-wind/#comments Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:00:26 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/?p=182617 A new poll finds solid support among Eastern Shore residents for offshore wind, with strong majorities convinced wind projects will benefit jobs, improve health conditions and support American energy independence. The poll was sponsored by Shore Progress, an Eastern Shore regional advocacy group, and conducted by Gonzales Research & Media Services, Inc., a respected polling firm based in Annapolis. […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/20/new-polling-finds-strong-eastern-shore-support-for-offshore-wind/feed/ 21 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/18/bay-journal-nonprofits-states-scramble-as-trump-administration-pauses-funding-for-many-chesapeake-restoration-programs/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/18/bay-journal-nonprofits-states-scramble-as-trump-administration-pauses-funding-for-many-chesapeake-restoration-programs/#respond Tue, 18 Feb 2025 12:00:57 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/?p=182538 Efforts in recent years to accelerate the Chesapeake Bay restoration have run into a wall of Trump administration executive orders that halted payments for huge swaths of Bay-related work, raising doubt about the future of many projects. Tens of millions of dollars for Bay-related work being carried out by nonprofits, farmers, churches, universities and states […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/18/bay-journal-nonprofits-states-scramble-as-trump-administration-pauses-funding-for-many-chesapeake-restoration-programs/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/10/invasive-catfish-west-coast-oyster-shells-fueling-chesapeake-renaissance/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/10/invasive-catfish-west-coast-oyster-shells-fueling-chesapeake-renaissance/#comments Mon, 10 Feb 2025 12:00:47 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/?p=182420 “At Tilghman Island Seafood, we collaborate closely with watermen who are dedicated to the Chesapeake Bay’s unique ecosystem.  These local watermen recognize that their livelihoods are deeply connected to the health of our waters. We are committed to balancing productive fishing with responsible practices to help secure the Bay’s future.” – FromTilghman Island Seafood’s promotional […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/10/invasive-catfish-west-coast-oyster-shells-fueling-chesapeake-renaissance/feed/ 1 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/07/intense-maryland-energy-debates-in-annapolis-fill-a-single-afternoon/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/07/intense-maryland-energy-debates-in-annapolis-fill-a-single-afternoon/#respond Fri, 07 Feb 2025 14:39:12 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/07/intense-maryland-energy-debates-in-annapolis-fill-a-single-afternoon/ For the last few years, the nuclear energy industry has stood on the precipice of the Maryland energy policy debate, waiting for its close-up. Industry leaders and their lobbyists have repeatedly talked about how important nuclear is to the state’s power portfolio. They have implied, without saying so outright, that nuclear, which accounts for 40% of […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/07/intense-maryland-energy-debates-in-annapolis-fill-a-single-afternoon/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/07/shorerivers-shares-2025-legislative-priorities/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/07/shorerivers-shares-2025-legislative-priorities/#respond Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:00:16 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/07/shorerivers-shares-2025-legislative-priorities/ Now that the Maryland General Assembly has reconvened for the 447th Legislative Session, ShoreRivers’ advocacy efforts are in full swing. The organization’s advocacy work, which is led by the Riverkeepers, is fundamental to creating system-wide change to protect local rivers against the major issues that impact water quality on the Eastern Shore. This is a pivotal […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/07/shorerivers-shares-2025-legislative-priorities/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/03/flock-together-for-the-great-backyard-bird-count-find-birds-in-your-community-and-share-the-joy/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/03/flock-together-for-the-great-backyard-bird-count-find-birds-in-your-community-and-share-the-joy/#respond Mon, 03 Feb 2025 11:00:04 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/?p=182226 Share in the joy of birds during the annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) at Pickering Creek Audubon Center and help make your community stronger for you and the birds. Bird and nature lovers everywhere unite in the effort to tally as many of the world’s bird species as possible over these four days.  Visitors are welcomed […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/02/03/flock-together-for-the-great-backyard-bird-count-find-birds-in-your-community-and-share-the-joy/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/01/23/new-report-shows-natural-resources-conservation-on-the-delmarva-peninsula-generates-8-billion-in-annual-economic-activity/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/01/23/new-report-shows-natural-resources-conservation-on-the-delmarva-peninsula-generates-8-billion-in-annual-economic-activity/#respond Thu, 23 Jan 2025 11:00:41 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/01/23/new-report-shows-natural-resources-conservation-on-the-delmarva-peninsula-generates-8-billion-in-annual-economic-activity/ Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) and the Delmarva Restoration and Conservation Network (DRCN) released an expansive report today showing the  economic impact of natural resources conservation on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the entire  Delmarva Peninsula.   “This report underscores the profound financial benefits of conserving our natural resources,” said  Steve Kline, president and CEO of ESLC, […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/01/23/new-report-shows-natural-resources-conservation-on-the-delmarva-peninsula-generates-8-billion-in-annual-economic-activity/feed/ 0