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May 8, 2025

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

Ecosystem Eco Notes

2025 Waterfowl Community in Conservation Grant Fund open for applications

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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 and community.

“Each year, we are proud to offer this support to deserving conservation and allied organizations,” remarked Chip Heaps, Conservation Committee Chairman, Waterfowl Festival Board of Directors.  “Now more than ever, it is critical that we provide resources to those who are working hard to preserve our open spaces and wildlife habitats for future generations.”

Over the past five decades, dozens of organizations have been supported by the Waterfowl Festival, creating a legacy of education, leadership, and engagement in the conservation space. Recent projects and grantees include Ducks Unlimited, the Wellington Wildlife Management Area, Phillips Wharf Environmental Center,  and ShoreRivers.

Maryland, Virginia, or Delaware organizations are encouraged to reach out to the Waterfowl Festival with their unique projects needing crucial funding through this grant program. The 2025 grant cycle will begin April 1, 2025 and continue through July 1, 2025. Grantees will be announced and funds distributed by September, 2025 in advance of the 54th Annual Waterfowl Festival in Easton, MD.

Guidelines to apply:

Please submit your application via our online portal (mailed copies will not be accepted)

Application portal: https://waterfowlfestival.org/conservation/

Deadline: July 1, 2025

With this focus on connecting our financial resources to local environmental needs we now support projects in these four priority areas:

  1. Initiatives at the intersections of waterfowl conservation and community
  2. Education programs on Delmarva focusing on current and future generations of conservationists, enthusiasts and educators
  3. Research and scientific work of graduate students, volunteer groups
    and non-profits on Delmarva
  4. Restoration and conservation of projects that benefit waterfowl and
    regional habitat enhancement in ways that connect with larger bay habitat
    restoration goals

About the Waterfowl Festival:

Since 1971, the Waterfowl Festival has raised nearly six million dollars for conservation and education efforts. Proceeds from the festival support various environmental, art, student scholarships,  and cultural initiatives, ensuring that future generations can understand and enjoy the beauty and diversity of waterfowl and their environments. The festival also plays a vital role in supporting the local community, drawing visitors from around the country and boosting the regional economy.

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Waterfowl Festival & The Ward Foundation present: Maryland State Arts Council Folklife Film & Art Evening

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The Ward Foundation, in collaboration with the Waterfowl Festival and the Maryland State Arts Council, is pleased to announce the Folklife Apprentice Film Series event, scheduled for January 23, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Waterfowl Festival Building, located at 40 S. Harrison St, Easton, MD.

This engaging evening will feature a selection of short films from the Maryland State Arts Council’s Folklife Apprenticeship program, showcasing diverse cultural traditions and artistic practices.

“Going into 2025, we are thrilled to be offering such an engaging and meaningful program featuring films from all across the artistic landscape. We are excited to engage a larger audience by offering diverse educational opportunities along with our partners at the Maryland State Arts Council and the Ward Foundation,” remarked Deena Kilmon, executive director of the Waterfowl Festival. “We encourage the community to take advantage of this wonderful free arts program.”

Attendees will have the unique opportunity to participate in a hands-on activity, painting a bufflehead silhouette under the guidance of Master Carver, Waterfowl Festival Hall of Fame honoree and National Heritage Award Winner, Rich Smoker.

Admission to the event is free; however, registration is required.

To register, please visit the Ward Foundation’s website at https://wardfdn.org/learn-explore/program-calendar/folklife-apprentice-film-series/.

Event Details:

  • Date: January 23, 2025

  • Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

  • Location: Waterfowl Festival Building, 40 S. Harrison St, Easton, MD

  • Admission: Free (Registration required)

For more information about the event and other programs, please visit the Ward Foundation’s website at https://wardfdn.org/. Ward Foundation PO Box 2132 Salisbury, Maryland 21802 Phone: 410-339-0668 Email: [email protected].

https://wardfdn.org/

About the Waterfowl Festival

Since 1971, the Waterfowl Festival has raised nearly six million dollars for conservation and education efforts. Proceeds from the festival support various environmental, art, student scholarships,  and cultural initiatives, ensuring that future generations can understand and enjoy the beauty and diversity of waterfowl and their environments. The festival also plays a vital role in supporting the local community, drawing visitors from around the country and boosting the regional economy.

About the Ward Foundation:

The Ward Foundation is dedicated to promoting and preserving the legacy of the Ward Brothers, artistic traditions, community heritage, and connections to the natural environment.

Through various events, programs, and educational initiatives, the foundation supports and interprets the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Images

  • Black Storytelling

    • Mentor artist Janice Greene (left) taught Black storytelling to apprentice artist Naomi Reid during a 2021-2022 Folklife Apprenticeship.© Maryland State Arts Council 2024, MSAC.org.

  • Carving by Rich Smoker/courtesy Waterfowl Festival

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Waterfowl Festival Announces Conservation Mini-Grant Awards

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Waterfowl Festival Executive Director Deena Kilmon presents check to Phillips Wharf Executive Director Kristen Lycett

The Waterfowl Festival Conservation Committee is delighted to announce the recipients of this year’s Community in Conservation Grants. As part of our ongoing commitment to preserving our rural environment and supporting wildlife conservation, we are pleased to award grants to three outstanding organizations: Ducks Unlimited Inc., Phillips Wharf Environmental Center, and ShoreRivers. Each organization created exceptional projects that will educate and have a positive impact on our community.

“For over fifty years, we have supported organizations whose mission is to acknowledge the importance of our natural environment and open spaces, and work to preserve it,” remarked Chip Heaps, Conservation Committee chairman. “We congratulate Ducks Unlimited, Phillips Wharf Environmental Center, and ShoreRivers for their exceptional contributions to this work and are excited to see the positive results of these funded projects.”

Waterfowl Conservation Committee and Waterfowl Festival VP Julie Susman presents check to Shore Rivers Suzanne Sullivan

Every year, our Community in Conservation Grant Program accepts funding requests from non-profits and community organizations across the region whose mission is to make a difference in supporting our shared mission of environmental conservation. The program supports projects that are at the intersection of waterfowl and habitat conservation and how this impacts our community, whether they are focused on education and outreach, science and research, or restoration. Ideally, projects include aspects of each focus area and benefit our waterfowl, their habitats, and the people of our community. Past awardees include University of MD- Horn Point, University of Delaware, and Talbot County Public Schools. The grant cycle will re-open in spring 2025.

Non-profit organizations that impact the environment or the education of our community in this space are welcome to exhibit this year in our Chesapeake Bay Pavilion during this year’s Waterfowl Festival November 8-10, 2024. Please contact the Waterfowl Festival for more information on how your organization can participate by emailing [email protected] or by calling our office, 410-822-4567.

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Waterfowl Festival 2024: A Celebration of Art, Conservation, and Outdoor Adventure

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[Easton, MD] – August 29, 2024 – The Waterfowl Festival, one of the nation’s premier events dedicated to the celebration of waterfowl and the natural environment, returns to Easton, Maryland, on November 8-10, 2024. The festival, now in its 53rd year, offers a diverse range of activities that highlight the art, culture, and conservation of the Chesapeake Bay region and beyond.

Festival Highlights

This year’s festival promises an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages, with activities that cater to art enthusiasts, wildlife lovers, and outdoor adventurers alike.

1. Fine Art and Photography Exhibits:
Renowned wildlife artists and photographers from across the country will showcase their work in a series of exhibits spread throughout Easton. Visitors can expect to see stunning paintings, sculptures, decoys, and photographs that capture the beauty and majesty of the natural world. The works will be available for purchase, providing a unique opportunity to own a piece of art that reflects a deep appreciation for the outdoors. This year’s featured artist is acclaimed Texan sculptor and painter, Ronnie Wells. Wells is a crowd favorite and his works will shine in the newly expanded PNC Art Pavilion in the middle of the historic downtown.

2. Going to the Dogs!
All of our outdoor venues are dog friendly!  Three amazing exhibits specifically focus on our lovable furry friends.  Dog lovers will be thrilled by the retriever demonstrations at the Bay Street Ponds, the incredible competition between professionals and amateurs alike at the Delmarva Dock Dogs exhibit, and the lightning fast field trial dog demonstrations at the Chesapeake Bay Pavilion. At each pavilion, visitors can enjoy a variety of beverages and foods to help make their experience tasty and fun.

 3. Quackin’ Trail for the kids!
The Waterfowl Festival is a family-friendly event with a range of activities designed to engage and educate children. New this year is the Quackin’ Trail! Parents can pick up a map for their kiddos at our ticket kiosks. The trial will lead kids to educational activities such as the Phillips Wharf Fishmobile, “Skyhunters in Flight” raptor show, The live Mermaid Mermaid story times, face painting, and art activities throughout the festival. Kids 10 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Don’t miss the kid’s calling contest at the Sportsman’s pavilion.

4. Shop ‘til you drop!
If you need something to play outdoors, the festival will have it! Shopping pavilions include the Sportsman’s pavilion featuring the ever-popular Molly’s Place Sporting Goods, the Chesapeake Bay Pavilion full of crafts and items you need for water sports including some great boats from Northpoint Marina, the Marshland Mercantile with artisans and festival store merchandise, multiple fine art pavilions, and the incredible Buy, Sell, Swap collector’s venue. New this year is the Guyette & Deeter auction and tailgate swap, complete with an incredible display this year of Cobb Island decoys in the Harry M. Walsh Waterfowling Artifacts exhibit. Easton’s downtown merchants will also be stocked and ready for visitors, visit DiscoverEaston.com for current business listings.

6. Conservation Corner:
The Waterfowl Festival is committed to the conservation of our wild open spaces and will feature presentations and exhibits from leading organizations in the Chesapeake Bay Pavilion. Learn about the latest efforts to protect and preserve vital habitats, and find out how you can get involved in local initiatives.

7. Eastern Shore Feast!
No festival is complete without great food, and the Waterfowl Festival is no exception. Enjoy a variety of culinary delights throughout downtown. Local restaurants will feature incredible Chesapeake Bay fare and the food trucks scattered throughout will offer something delicious for everyone. Thirsty? Our guests over 21 can enjoy our new Duck Blind and Decoy bars, the famous Bullitt Garden Tasting Pavilion and the ever-popular Beer Wetlands.

About the Waterfowl Festival

Since 1971, the Waterfowl Festival has raised nearly six million dollars for conservation and education efforts. Proceeds from the festival support various environmental, art, student scholarships,  and cultural initiatives, ensuring that future generations can understand and enjoy the beauty and diversity of waterfowl and their environments. The festival also plays a vital role in supporting the local community, drawing visitors from around the country and boosting the regional economy.

The Waterfowl Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of the Maryland State Arts Council, the Maryland Historic Trust, the Town of Easton, Talbot County Government, and all of our incredible community partners including the hundreds of volunteers that make all the magic happen.

For more information about the Waterfowl Festival, including ticket sales and a full schedule of events, please visit www.waterfowlfestival.org.

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2024 Waterfowl Community In Conservation Grant Fund Open For Applications

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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 annual Waterfowl Festival weekend, annual donors, and the Conservation Dinner Series, offer non-profits and community entities the chance to receive monies for projects and initiatives at the intersection of conservation and community.

“We are pleased to offer this grant opportunity for our mission-aligned organizations here on the Delmarva peninsula,” remarked Eric Milhollan, President, Waterfowl Festival Board of Directors.  “Now more than ever, it is critical that we provide support and encouragement to those organizations who are working hard to celebrate the natural environment and preserve it for future generations.”

Over the past five decades, dozens of organizations have been supported by the Waterfowl Festival, creating a legacy of education, leadership, and engagement in the conservation space. Recent projects and grantees include Ducks Unlimited, the Wellington Wildlife Management Area, Phillips Wharf Environmental Center,  University of MD Center for Environmental Science – Project: Enhancing the Horn Point Nature Trail Experience, and the ShoreRivers – Project: Underwater Grasses Restoration.

“The Waterfowl Festival has been a long-time conservation partner of Ducks Unlimited,” said Regional Biologist Ed Farley. “Right now, we are restoring a 40-acre wetland that was historically drained for row crops at Wellington Wildlife Management Area. The work could not have been done without funding from the Waterfowl Festival.”

Maryland, Virginia, or Delaware organizations are encouraged to reach out to the Waterfowl Festival with their unique projects needing crucial funding through this grant program. The 2024 grant cycle will begin April 1, 2024 and continue through July 31, 2024. Grantees will be announced and funds distributed by November 7, 2024 in advance of the 53rd Annual Waterfowl Festival in Easton, MD.

The 2024 Conservation Dinner will be held in June in Easton, MD. Those interested in sponsoring or attending this dinner are encouraged to reach out to the Festival via marketing@waterfowlfestival.org.

Guidelines to apply:

Please submit your application via our online portal (mailed copies will not be accepted)

Application portal: https://waterfowlfestival.org/conservation/community-in-conservation/

Deadline: July 1, 2024

With this focus on connecting our financial resources to local environmental needs we now support projects in these four priority areas:

  1. Initiatives at the intersections of waterfowl conservation and community

  2. Education programs on Delmarva focusing on current and future generations of conservationists, enthusiasts and educators

  3. Research and scientific work of graduate students, volunteer groups
    and non-profits on Delmarva

Restoration and conservation of projects that benefit waterfowl and
regional habitat enhancement in ways that connect with larger bay habitat
restoration goals

Image: 2021 Grantee Maryland Waterfowler’s Association

—

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Waterfowl Festival Welcomes New Board President Eric Milhollan

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Eric Milhollan, the new President of Waterfowl Festival, Inc. Board of Directors.

Waterfowl Festival, Inc. is pleased to recognize Eric Milhollan as the new President of its Board of Directors. Eric brings invaluable experience as a strong community and business leader. He currently is a senior project manager and part-owner at Willow Construction LLC, and has served as a volunteer for the Festival for many years along with his wife Victoria and their children.

Eric has over twenty-eight years of experience with Willow and has witnessed the growth of Easton from a sleepy town to a thriving and growing regional destination for businesses and families alike. He graduated from Salisbury University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Other boards he has served on include the local Associated Builders and Contractors, Talbot County Chamber of Commerce,  and Shore Leadership, and he is a 2019 Leadership Maryland graduate.  Utilizing skills from his professional and business experience, Milhollan is poised to take the Waterfowl Festival into 2024 successfully.

“Eric’s wealth of experience and his deep-rooted connection to the Waterfowl Festival makes him an ideal candidate for the role of President,” remarked Charles Wrighton, 2023 president. “We are confident that under his guidance, the festival will continue to thrive, allowing us to continue to support conservation efforts in our region.”

Milhollan’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the Waterfowl Festival as it continues to evolve and adapt to support the community as well as its mission of conservation of our natural landscapes. With a consistent economic impact of millions of dollars each year, the Festival continues to be an event that has a considerable positive effect on the region after five decades.

The 53rd Waterfowl Festival is now accepting applications for vendors, artists, and sponsors! To connect with the Waterfowl Festival directly, please visit our website or email [email protected].

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Waterfowl Festival Announces Sculptor Pati Stajcar as 2023 Featured Artist

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Pati Stajcar

The Waterfowl Festival’s 2023 Featured Artist has been announced, naming the talented Pati Stajcar. A favorite at the Festival for 17 years, Pati is excited about her selection as Featured Artist. However, the only hint she provides about her featured art piece is that “it comes from one of Aesop’s Fables, all stories about nature translating into morals for humans to follow.”

While the bronze sculpture won’t be revealed until later in the year, it promises to be heartfelt and stunning. Waterfowl Festival’s Featured Artist Program was created in 2010 to generate excitement about a chosen artist and their visual interpretation of the bounty of our natural habitat. It encourages visitors to meet the artist and see the featured piece “up close.”

In fact, Pati encourages the public to run their hands over her work to understand the feeling she has when she creates a piece. Pati hopes “you share in the experience from my heart to yours.”

“We are excited to announce that Pati Stajcar is the Waterfowl Festival’s 2023 Featured Artist,” said Charles Wrightson, Waterfowl Festival President. “She is an amazing artist and a valued member of the arts community in Easton. Pati is someone who understands the value of the organization and its mission to support conservation efforts on the Shore. We couldn’t be more pleased to have Pati as this year’s Featured Artist. It’s exciting for us to both celebrate our history of waterfowl in art and also evolve each year to showcase new and different artistic interpretations of nature.”

Working in wood, bronze and marble, life’s experiences reflect themselves in Pati’s sculptures. Energy, flowing from and around each piece, guides the gift she presents to you. Each design begins and ends in abstract but blends with the representation. Flow and balance are her subject matter expressed through nature. Her pieces excite the viewer and fit comfortably in any setting.

Misty by Pati Stajcar

Pati was born in Southeastern Pennsylvania but has been a Colorado resident for many decades.“I have my choice of living anywhere in the world and Golden, Colorado is that place,” she says. “The abundance of wildlife, sun, snow and art make this the place I call home.”

After more than 10 years in the airline industry, she left in 1985 to pursue sculpting as a professional career. Her inspiration is nature, which she finds near her home in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. She allows nature to be her guide.

Pati is an elected member of Academic Artists Association, Allied Artists of America, National Sculpture Society, The Bennington Collective and Society of Animal Artists and regularly participates in exhibitions nationwide. She volunteers as a docent with Natures Educators and as a firefighter with Foothills Fire and Rescue.

Look for the release of Stajcar’s 2023 Featured Art piece this summer.

About the Waterfowl Festival

Waterfowl Festival Inc. is dedicated to wildlife conservation, the promotion of wildlife art, and the celebration of the life and culture of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The 52nd Festival will be held November 10-12, 2023 in historic Easton, Md. VIP and corporate sponsorship packages are also available. For more information, to volunteer, or donate, visit www.waterfowlfestival.org or call 410-822-4567.

To learn more about Pati and view some of her stunning sculptures, visit https://stajcar.com.

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The 51st Annual Waterfowl Festival Offers Something for Everyone!

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Friends, fun, and food come together at the 51st annual Waterfowl Festival November 11-13, 2022, in Easton, MD.

See the latest in hunting and fishing equipment, browse collectables and decoys, participate in children’s activities, talk with conservation groups working to save the Bay, watch retriever demonstrations, thrill at the diving dog competition, and see the best in wildlife art. Did we mention art?

Paintings, sculptures, carvings, and photography from more than 100 world-renowned artists, including this year’s featured artist, Richard Clifton.

Tickets are just $20 for three days available at waterfowlfestival.org. The first 1,500 people to purchase tickets get $5 off until October 31, 2022.

This year Waterfowl Festival is also saluting veterans with $5 off tickets purchased in person on November 11. Veterans also get a free beer! The tickets are good for all three days of the festival.

For an extra treat, start the weekend at 4 p.m. Thursday, November 10, with opening ceremonies (free) and Premiere Night (a ticketed event) where you can get a first look at what’s for sale and meet the artists. Enjoy food and drinks with a Premiere Night ticket, while browsing the galleries. It’s a magical night in downtown Easton. Tickets are $200 per person and include a discount on art purchases as well as a gift bag.

While you’re here, stroll the quaint streets of Easton, St. Michaels, and Oxford. Browse the shops and enjoy lunch or dinner at one of our world-class restaurants.

Talbot County offers more than 600 miles of shoreline, unspoiled countryside, and first-class hospitality. It is consistently listed as one of the best places to visit in the U.S.

Just 65 miles from Baltimore, 75 miles from Washington, DC, and a little over 100 miles from Philadelphia, Waterfowl Festival is the perfect weekend getaway.

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Waterfowl Festival Announces Featured Artist and Painting

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The Waterfowl Festival is proud to announce that the 2022 Featured Artist is Richard Clifton and the featured artwork is his painting, “November Morning-Pintails.”

Clifton is a world-renowned wildlife artist and won the 2007 and 2020 Federal Duck Stamp contest.

“The Waterfowl Festival is truly fortunate and honored to have Richard Clifton selected as its 2022 Featured Artist,” said Kenneth Miller, president of the Waterfowl Festival board of directors. “Richard is one of our country’s premier artists for paintings that capture the beauty of waterfowl within their natural habitat. His compositions evoke a unique, if not varied set off emotions and feelings among experienced waterfowlers, naturalists and art collectors alike.”

“November Morning-Pintails” by Richard Clifton

Clifton is a self-taught, award-winning artist. Waterfowl are one of his favorite subjects and he has painted 53 duck stamps from various states and countries, including the 1996 Australian Duck Stamp.

Clifton’s art has been chosen several times for the Ducks Unlimited National Art Package and he was named Artist of the Year by DU three times.

“As a wildlife artist, it has always been a career dream of mine to be the featured artist for a show,” says Clifton. “So, I was both humbled and honored to be named 2022 featured artist for the Waterfowl Festival.”

Clifton first exhibited at the Festival in 2006. His work is sought by domestic & international fine art collectors.

“The long tradition of the festival promoting ducks and geese and my love of painting waterfowl are coming together, and it feels like a good fit,” says Clifton. “We should all be excited by the hope and promise this brings as we gather in November.”

About the Painting

For Waterfowl Festival 2022, Clifton created a painting that is understated and elegant.

“November Morning-Pintails” evokes calm. Soft background light sets apart the ducks – three drakes and two hens. The contrasting patterns on the ducks give variety, while the colors serve to tie them together in a warm, serene composition.

The painting is 24”x36” unframed, and 32”x44” framed. The framed original is being offered for $12,000.

Posters will also be available closer to the date of the Festival.

“I’m so honored that the waterfowl festival has ask me to be their featured artist, and so grateful of the people that I’ve met in the last few years, both that work with the festival and -I’m gonna call them friends- the people that have come out and supported me and my artwork,” said Clifton. “It’s big shoes to fill, but I’m hoping together we can kick off the next 50 years with the same enthusiasm and anticipation that was there all those years ago when this great vision began.

About the Featured Artist Program

Waterfowl Festival’s Featured Artist Program was created in 2010 to generate excitement about a chosen artist and their visual interpretation of the bounty of our natural habitat. It encourages visitors to meet the artist and see the featured piece “up close.”

The Featured Artwork is the inspiration for the year’s marketing theme and keeps the visual identity of the Festival fresh and current.  The painter or sculptor chosen each year showcases the variety and high-quality art that the Festival is known for to a new and returning audience.

About the Waterfowl Festival

Waterfowl Festival Inc. is a 501c(3) dedicated to wildlife conservation, the promotion of wildlife art, and the celebration of the life and culture of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Now in its 51st year, the festival continues to draw thousands of visitors throughout the mid-Atlantic.

Admission is only $20 for all three days.

VIP and corporate sponsorship packages are also available. For more information, visit www.waterfowlfestival.org or call 410-822-4567.

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Waterfowl Grant Program Open for Applications

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Waterfowl Festival is excited to announce its fourth year of connecting financial resources with environmental needs across Delmarva through its “Community in Conservation” funding program. These grants, supported by proceeds from annual Waterfowl Festival weekend, offer non-profits and community entities the chance to receive monies for projects and initiatives at the intersection of conservation and community.

“Waterfowl Festival continues to be dedicated to supporting waterfowl habitat improvement by funding regional projects, large and small,” explains Margaret Enloe, Waterfowl Chesapeake Executive Director. “This annual grant program creates opportunities for supporting healthy populations of ducks, geese and swans and increasing people’s connection and understanding of their importance in the ecosystem. And we welcome applicants from all across the Chesapeake region.”

University of Delaware ecology students participate in a Waterfowl Hunter Education Course, a program funded by the Waterfowl Festival in 2019. Photo courtesy of the University of Delaware.

The Community in Conservation program is unique for its three-pronged approach that recognizes the importance and interconnected roles that science, education and restoration play in the effort to restore waterfowl populations and landscapes. Waterfowl Festival hopes that the broad emphasis on “community”, which draws on the long history of its annual event by the same name, will encourage organizations to think creatively about who they can serve and will help generate new ideas to bring people and regional conservation work, research and education together. In 2019, this program supported two initiatives: 1) Increasing winter food sources for diving ducks and 2) Building relationship between graduate students in environmental fields and hunters and landowners.

Interested organizations should submit a their Letter of Inquiry & Support online at https://waterfowlfestival.org/conservation/community-in-conservation by September 10, 2021. Requests must align with WC’s focus areas and make the connection between the project or initiative, the community of people engaged and waterfowl-related issues.

PROGRAM FOCUS AREAS

We will support:

  • Initiatives at the intersection of conservation and community – a broad new category meant to allow for new thinking, projects and applicants;
  • Education of current and future generations of enthusiasts, conservationists and educators;
  • Research and scientific work of graduate students, volunteer groups and non-profits that affect waterfowl populations; and,
  • Restoration & conservation projects to benefit waterfowl.

About us: Waterfowl Festival, Inc., is dedicated to the promotion and conservation of waterfowl and wildlife and their habitat within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

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