CHESAPEAKE CONSERVANCY 2015 WINTER NEWSLETTER
ShorelinesSaving the Chesapeake’s Great Rivers and Special Places
Terrain360 crew captures images for Chesapeake Conservancy’s virtual tour of Mallows Bay - Potomac River. PHOTO BY: JODY COUSER
Conservation Innovation Center Wins International Award 3 Riverview: A Virtual Tour of the Captain John Smith Trail 4 Mapping the Chesapeake Bay’s Land Cover 6 From the President & CEO Conservation along the Captain John
Mission Smith Trail The Chesapeake Conservancy’s mission is to strengthen the connection between people and As 2015 comes to a close, we continue the watershed; conserve the landscapes and to advance our work at the Chesapeake special places that sustain the Chesapeake’s Conservancy to protect our great rivers and unique natural and cultural resources; and special places and restore the health of restore landscapes, rivers, and habitats in the the Chesapeake Bay. The busy fall season Chesapeake Bay region. has produced a bountiful harvest for our work as well as new possibilities for our Board of Directors conservation efforts. Paul E. Hagen, Chairman Douglas P. Wheeler, Vice Chairman Our Envision the James (ETJ) initiative Scott L. Beatty, Jr., Treasurer received a significant boost recently when Dr. Mamie A. Parker, Secretary the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Stephen R. Adkins awarded a grant of almost $500,000 Jane Danowitz to the James River Association and the Chesapeake Conservancy President and CEO Joel Dunn on a visit to Fones Nicholas H. Dilks Conservancy. Through this funding, the Cliffs, July 2015 PHOTO BY: JODY COUSER Joel Dunn ETJ partnership will be able to work with Robert E. Friend Soil and Water Conservation Districts Fones Cliffs on the Rappahannock is one Heather Gartman in Virginia to identify where sediment of the few places Captain John Smith Robert Gensler reduction practices can make the greatest might recognize today the way he saw it Michael D. Hankin difference in improving the health of the some 400 years ago. This 4-mile stretch Stephen F. Harper James River watershed and restore the of white colored diatomaceous cliffs rises Verna Harrison view for kayakers on the Captain John over 100 feet above the Rappahannock Page Hayhurst Smith Trail. River. However, this critical eagle habitat Ann W. Loomis As a lead advocate for national wildlife is now under threat by a proposed H. Turney McKnight refuges and national parks in the large resort development. If Congress Jeffery More Chesapeake region, we are grateful that the appropriates the LWCF funding proposed Patrick F. Noonan Migratory Bird Conservation Commission in the President’s FY 2016 budget, this recently approved more than $2.2 million Chesapeake gem could be saved. Honorary Members in funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife These are the precious natural resources Gilbert M. Grosvenor Service to acquire 758 acres for Blackwater that motivate the Conservancy and our U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes (ret.) National Wildlife Refuge and along the partners. But we must act now and we Charles A. Stek Nanticoke River. These acquisitions will cannot do it alone. Together we can U.S. Senator John Warner (ret.) make critical additions to the network of safeguard pristine, critical ecological protected lands along the river corridors, habitats for iconic species such as the bald Chesapeake Conservancy Staff allowing wildlife to migrate and adapt to eagle, and protect these special places for Joel Dunn, President & CEO climate change. future generations to enjoy. Jenn Aiosa, Director of Programs We remain hopeful that Congress will Jeffrey Allenby, Director of Conservation . Technology appropriate Land and Water Conservation Kate Baker, Chesapeake Conservation Fund (LWCF) monies President Obama Partnership Coordinator has requested for additional tracts of land David Burke, that are critical to protect wildlife habitat Conservation & Strategic Planning Sr. Advisor and maintain recreational opportunities Joel Dunn, President and CEO Jody Couser, Director of Communications along the Captain John Smith Trail, such Carly Dean, Project Manager as Fones Cliffs in VA. Sarah Elder, Director of Operations Evelina Erickson, Director of Development Regan Gifford, Outreach Coordinator Lacey Hankin, Project Coordinator Chigo Ibeh, Geospatial Analyst Louis Keddell, Geospatial Analyst Cassie Kluse, Geospatial Analyst Emily Myron, Project Manager Joanna Ogburn, Sr. Conservation Advisor Cassandra Pallai, Geospatial Project Manager Conor Phelan, Conservation Analyst Michael Shultz, Public Relations Advisor Helen Sieracki, Development Coordinator Kyle Smith, Executive Assistant Colin Stief, Solutions Engineer Peter Turcik, Grant Writer/Communications Assistant Kathryn Wesson, Geospatial Analyst Colleen Whitlock, Director of Administration Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved more than $2.2 million to add 758 acres to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and along the Nanticoke River. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM
2 | Shorelines | The Chesapeake Conservancy Newsletter WINTER 2015 Conservation Innovation International Award Honors Conservancy GIS Achievements
The Chesapeake Conservancy was impact assessments. honored with a Special Achievement “Chesapeake Conservancy is in GIS (SAG) Award at the 2015 Esri honored to receive this Special International User Conference in San Achievement in GIS Award. Diego, CA. This award acknowledges The Conservancy stood out vision, leadership, hard work, and from more than 350,000 Esri innovative use of Esri’s geographic global customers,” Jeff Allenby, information system (GIS) technology. the Conservancy’s director of Chesapeake Conservancy uses Esri conservation technology, said. ArcGIS technology for innovative “The SAG awards identify the Jack Dangermond, Esri president (second from right), with Chesapeake Conservancy staff conservation and restoration planning organizations and people (left to right): Colin Stief, solutions engineer; Conor Phelan, conservation analyst; and Jeff through data-driven, web-based who are using the power of Allenby, director of conservation technology PHOTO COURTESY OF ESRI applications. The Conservancy works geography to make our world with local partners to identify their a better place,” said Esri President Jack biggest challenges and to develop Dangermond. Ring in the New Year! the information and customized applications that take advantage of the “At Esri, we are always deeply inspired Please consider making a year-end latest technology and make informed by the passion and innovation of tax deductible gift to the Chesapeake decisions at the parcel scale. Among our users. They deserve recognition Conservancy. An envelope is enclosed other things, the Conservancy uses Esri for their invaluable contributions to for your convenience, or visit ArcGIS technology for high-resolution their communities and the continued www.chesapeakeconservancy.org land cover mapping and change evolution of geographic science,” analysis, multi-resource conservation continued Dangermond. planning, and viewshed protection and
New Bald Friar Petroglyph Exhibit a Must See! By Charlie Hall, Maryland State Terrestrial Archeologist
From simple pecked cups, to grooved after which the Maryland Academy to execute a loan for the artifacts. parallel lines, to complex diamond of Sciences cemented together the Financing for the design and fabrication shapes and curvilinear compositions, fragmented stones for exhibition. No of the exhibit was provided by Turney the Susquehanna River’s Bald Friar one knows the precise age or meaning of McKnight, a member of the Chesapeake petroglyphs have generated interest— the petroglyphs. Conservancy’s board of directors. Turney and mystery—for hundreds of years. Now, in the historic Rock Run Grist Mill has a deep and manifest interest in the Native Americans originally carved the within view of the Susquehanna River, a petroglyphs, and his generosity (and abstract images into large, island-sized new exhibit at Susquehanna State Park good humor) literally took this exhibit boulders between what is now the features some of the enigmatic artifacts, from a great idea to a terrific product. Pennsylvania line and the Conowingo coupled with interpretive text. The Although no one fully understands the Dam. In 1927, the petroglyphs were exhibit is not large, but it deftly covers Bald Friar petroglyphs, they were not removed from their location to save the mysterious history of these images randomly or casually positioned on the them from inundation from the dam, carved in rock, as landscape. Placed between the lowest well as the more ford and the deepest “sink” within the recent journey they falls of the Susquehanna River, their have taken. meaning must have been connected Spurred in part to that place. We may never know by a desire to who made the images or when, or for present a more whom the message was intended. We comprehensive can be sure, however, that by bringing picture of the some of the petroglyphs to the bank Bay region and of the Susquehanna River—only about native peoples, 6 miles from their original location— the Chesapeake Turney McKnight and the Chesapeake Conservancy Conservancy have returned them to the brought together place where that message resonates best. the Maryland Reprinted with permission. This article Department of was originally published in Our History, Natural Resources Our Heritage, the Maryland Historical to house the exhibit Trust’s blog. and the Maryland Historical Trust A close-up of one of the petroglyphs removed from its original location in the Susquehanna River
WINTER 2015 Shorelines | The Chesapeake Conservancy Newsletter | 3 Corridor Engagement
A computer screen shot of the Riverview Virtual Tour featuring Shuresville Landing near the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River Virtual Tour to Bring Captain John Smith Trail to a Screen Near You To many people, exploring 3,800 miles Trail Riverview project, we are working The maps produced from the images will of water trail seems daunting. The vast with a Richmond-based company, include information on public access expanse of the Captain John Smith Terrain360, to create an interactive points, history, recreation, and areas of Chesapeake National Historic Trail can virtual tour to allow viewers to see conservation value along the rivers. They leave even the most experienced and firsthand what a paddling experience will allow people to explore the rivers intrepid pioneers scratching their heads, or other adventure on the Captain John from their screens—whether by phone, wondering where to even start. Smith Trail might be like. tablet, or PC. Which of the great rivers of the “At the Conservancy, we realized that we The James River Association and Chesapeake do I want to paddle? Where could use technology to make it easier Terrain360 created a similar program can I put in my kayak or canoe? Where for people to connect with the great as part of Envision the James, displaying can I take a larger boat? What does the rivers of the Captain John Smith Trail,” nearly 100 points along the James River. river look like, and what can I expect to Chesapeake Conservancy President and The company has also created digital see along the way? Though some enjoy CEO Joel Dunn said. “These rivers are tours for other trails and recreational the mystery of exploring new stretches the lifeblood for the rich diversity of areas, among them Bryce Canyon of territory, the idea of terra incognito can flora and fauna living within the Bay National Park, the Appalachian National keep the more reluctant travelers watershed. We know that if people can Scenic Trail, and Hatteras National at home. connect with these rivers and the trail, Seashore. It is with these folks in mind that the they will be more likely to become The boat and crews spent this past Conservancy is bringing the Captain stewards of the Chesapeake.” summer capturing the images and John Smith Trail to your computer To obtain the images for the Riverview creating the virtual tour of the screen. Through our new John Smith project, the Terrain360 crew deploys a Susquehanna. one-of-a-kind, handmade “The Susquehanna is a beautiful river, boat equipped with and we’re very excited to share all multiple cameras to 700 miles of it with anyone who has capture images along an Internet connection,” said Andy the entire length of each Thompson of Terrain360. “We look a river. As the boat floats little strange coming down the river, with down a river, the crew our red pontoons and cameras 10 feet in takes high-resolution, the air, but when people hear about what 360-degree images every we’re doing, they are very excited.” 50 feet, using six cameras mounted on the vessel This fall, Conservancy staff joined 10 feet above the water’s Terrain360 to capture images of the surface. These images are “Ghost Fleet” at Mallows Bay on the then stitched together to Potomac River to create a virtual tour create a digital image map of this beautiful place which boasts the of the Chesapeake’s rivers. largest collection of historic shipwrecks in the Western Hemisphere. The Accomac, Mallows Bay–Potomac River PHOTO BY: KYLE SMITH
4 | Shorelines | The Chesapeake Conservancy Newsletter WINTER 2015 “Just 30 miles south of Washington, DC, Mallows Bay–Potomac River is an important cultural resource attraction for adventure tourism,” Dunn said. “We’re very excited to produce this virtual tour, enabling our community to explore the proposed National Marine Sanctuary on their phones and computers. We hope it inspires people to help us establish the sanctuary Power Lines Threaten and to get outside and explore the James River Viewshed Chesapeake.” “It’s an honor to be part of this project,” As a consulting party to the Save said Terrain360’s Thompson. “Mallows the James River Alliance and a Bay is such a special place in our member of the Down to the Wire nation’s history and a beautiful place to Coalition, the Conservancy is visit. We’re so proud to be part of this working with partners to stop a effort to help make it virtually accessible Dominion Virginia Power proposal to everyone.” to construct the Surry-Skiffes Creek- Whealton transmission line and As you are stuck inside during the This pontoon docked at Otsego Lake, NY, is used to capture images switching station across the lower winter months, use Riverview to for a virtual tour of the Captain John Smith Trail for the Chesapeake James River within sight of Carter’s learn more about the trail and plan Conservancy. PHOTO COURTESY OF TERRAIN360 Grove, the Captain John Smith your next paddling or boating trip. Chesapeake National Historic Trail, Thanks to our supporters and through River, Lake Otsego, and the James Colonial Parkway, and Historic partnerships, the following locations River (sponsored by James River Jamestown. This project would have been completed: Susquehanna Association). To view the virtual tours, irreparably damage the integrity River, West Branch Susquehanna, visit www.chesapeakeconservancy.org/ of the Captain John Smith Trail by Nanticoke River, Mallows Bay–Potomac riverview. marring the viewshed.
This summer, the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places Mallows Bay–Potomac River Is issued a decision that a portion of the Captain John Smith Trail Another Step Closer to Becoming along the James River is eligible for National Register designation. As the Nation’s Next National Marine an advocate for the Captain John Smith Trail, the Conservancy is Sanctuary! thrilled with the Keeper’s decision Great News! In October, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which will go a long way toward (NOAA) issued a Notice of Intent to initiate a full public procedure and helping us preserve the historic Environmental Impact Statement necessary to designate Mallows Bay as a new view. National Marine Sanctuary. The Chesapeake Conservancy has been a core partner in the nomination and heralds NOAA’s Notice of Intent. If designated, Mallows Bay–Potomac River Exclusively at would become the first National Marine Sanctuary designated in more than 20 years and the first ever in the Chesapeake. (See related article in summer 2015 the Gear Shop Shorelines.) Captain John Smith Compass Rose 17 oz coffee mug, $10 (plus shipping). Get yours today through our online gear shop! www.chesapeakeconservancy.org
The Accomac, Mallows Bay–Potomac River PHOTO BY: KYLE SMITH
WINTER 2015 Shorelines | The Chesapeake Conservancy Newsletter | 5 Conservation Innovation Conservation Innovation Center Adds Staff, Starts Groundbreaking Project
A project manager, and four geospatial will have 900x the resolution of the The high-resolution data will be used analysts recently joined the staff of the National Land Cover Dataset and will for precision conservation and large Chesapeake Conservancy to support the provide an overall accuracy of close to 95 landscape conservation analysis to launch of an exciting new project that percent for the 10 classes of land cover identify priorities for conservation and will enhance the entire conservation that are being mapped. restoration to achieve better results in movement in the Chesapeake Bay The data will help guide the most less time at lower costs. The data will Watershed. efficient use of resources in conserving also benefit public access advocacy The new staff will process datasets for the and managing the Captain John Smith efforts. Conservancy’s Land Cover Data Project. Chesapeake National Historic Trail, The project will be completed by This project is a cooperative endeavor as the National Park Service works September 30, 2016. The data will be between the Conservancy and the with partners to identify opportunities open access and will be hosted on the National Park Service funded through to protect or restore resources along Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership’s an interagency agreement with the the trail and enhance the visitor’s website (www.chesapeakebay.net). Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). experience. Other significant uses include This is yet another example of how the EPA is the primary funder of the incorporating this data into analyses for Chesapeake Conservancy is enhancing Chesapeake Bay Program, a regional identifying and protecting significant the quality and pace of conservation partnership that leads and directs cultural resources and predicting using innovative technology. Chesapeake Bay restoration and possible archeological and American protection. Bay Program partners Indian town sites along the trail. include federal and state agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions. High-resolution mapping will be used to develop consistent, extremely accurate land cover datasets for all of the counties that comprise the Chesapeake watershed in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The Commonwealth of Virginia will generate its own land cover data and will work with the Conservancy and the Chesapeake Bay Program to ensure consistency. Land cover data and maps have been produced for decades. However, the datasets developed through this project An example of a Conservation Innovation Center land cover classification map with partially transparent land cover superimposed on aerial imagery
Donor Spotlight: Buzbee Family
Not all donations come in the form mainly ply their home waters of the of cash, check, or credit card. The Potomac River, but they also travel to Chesapeake Conservancy learned this farther destinations, such as Tilghman firsthand earlier this year, when John Island on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. and Sally Buzbee donated their 2003 “We are great fans of the Chesapeake. We Wellcraft Martinique 2600 motorboat. love to get out on the water,” John said. The money raised from the sale of the “We love the opportunity for water access boat has gone toward the Conservancy’s and think there is always a lot more work annual fund. that can be done in that regard. We really John, Emma, Sally, and Meg Buzbee, supporters of the John and Sally live with their daughters appreciate the work the Conservancy has Chesapeake Conservancy Emma and Meg in the Washington, DC, done to connect the region as a whole PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BUZBEE FAMILY area and have faithfully supported the to the Chesapeake Bay, and the Bay to On their excursions, John said he and Conservancy since 2010. The Buzbees the rest of the region through river access his family liked to load kayaks into enjoy exploring the Chesapeake, both issues.” the Martinique, drive it to a chosen in the Martinique and by kayak. They
6 | Shorelines | The Chesapeake Conservancy Newsletter WINTER 2015 Conservancy News
destination, drop anchor, and then made sense. We have always been a paddle into the shallow and more supporter, and the logic of the situation remote areas with the kayaks. However, said we should donate the boat to an John admitted that this was an organization that works to conserve the impractical way to go kayaking. He also Chesapeake. We were delighted to do it, said these trips required a great deal of and I would encourage others to do so time, making it difficult for the family as well.” to take advantage of the boat. “It is certainly a unique gift for the “We thought it was time to move on Conservancy, and we appreciate John to something else recreationally. Our and Sally’s generosity,” Conservancy favorite thing is to find some quiet director of development, Evelina time on the water with the kayaks or Erickson, said. “A donation like walking along a trail somewhere. The this benefits more than just the The sale of this 26’ Wellcraft Martinique benefits the Chesapeake Chesapeake is a wonderful resource for Conservancy. We receive the funds from Conservancy. PHOTO COURTESY OF JONATHAN FOSTER that,” John said. “In terms of donating the sale and the new owner is able to YACHT SALES the boat to the Conservancy, it just explore and enjoy the Chesapeake.”
into meaningful information. Prior to Joanna Ogburn, former director of Conservancy his current position, Colin built and programs, will continue to work with maintained trails at Olympic National the Conservancy on a consultant basis. Staff News Park, worked at the NYC Department of A native of the Eastern Shore, she will Jenn Aiosa of Environmental Protection, and taught support our mission on the Nanticoke Baltimore joined English overseas. He has a masters of and Choptank rivers. the Conservancy environmental management from Duke Paula Degen retired in September from as the new director University and a B.A. in geography from a long career in publications and other of programs. She Miami University in Ohio. interpretive services, most recently with was most recently Kyle Smith is the the Chesapeake Conservancy and the acting director of new executive National Park Service Chesapeake Bay operations with assistant for Office. She will continue to assist the the Maryland Conservancy Conservancy on a consultant basis. Department of President and Planning and CEO Joel Dunn. Jeffrey Allenby, director of conservation was previously PHOTO BY PETER TURCIK Previously, he technology, was a featured speaker at that agency’s worked for the the International Land Conservation director of policy and research. At Congressional Network (ILCN) conference in Berlin, the Environmental Defense Fund, Progressive Caucus Germany. More than 100 people Jenn served as Chesapeake senior on environmental from around the world attended the conservation manager. As senior policy and PHOTO COURTESY OF conference in October. His presentation scientist with the Chesapeake Bay international trade KYLE SMITH with Dave Tobias, City of New York, was Foundation, Jenn was a leader in the issues for Representative Raul Grijalva titled “Water and Land Conservation: A Maryland environmental community (AZ-03). He holds a B.S. in political Partnership with Mutual Benefit.” and advocated for the Chesapeake for science from Towson 12 years. She has also worked for the University. Cooperative Extension at the University of Maryland, the Maryland Coastal Cassandra Pallai, Bays National Estuary Program, and in geospatial project manager, the Washington, DC, office of former and Chigo Ibeh, Louis Congressman Wayne Gilchrest. Jenn Keddell, Cassie Kluse, holds a masters degree in environmental and Kathryn Wesson, sciences from the University of Virginia joined the Conservancy’s and a B.S. in marine sciences from the Conservation Innovation University of South Carolina. Center as geospatial analysts to support the Colin Stief, solutions engineer, is Land Cover Data Project. helping the Conservancy find new ways (See article, p. 6.) “We’re to use digital media and geospatial delighted that these recent technology to inform conservation technology graduates efforts in the Chesapeake Bay. In have decided to put their particular, he is interested in developing highly specialized skills to From left to right: Kathryn Wesson, geospatial analyst, Cassie Kluse, geospatial analyst, Louis Keddell, intuitive web and desktop applications use for the conservation geospatial analyst, Jeffrey Allenby, director of conservation technology, Conor Phelan, conservation that can automate tedious, but critical, movement,” President and analyst, Colin Stief, solutions engineer, Cassandra Pallai, geospatial project manager, and Chigo Ibeh, analytical tasks and transform raw data geospatial analyst CEO Joel Dunn said. PHOTO BY PETER TURCIK
WINTER 2015 Shorelines | The Chesapeake Conservancy Newsletter | 7 716 Giddings Avenue, Suite 42 | Annapolis, Maryland 21401
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8 | Shorelines | The Chesapeake Conservancy Newsletter WINTER 2015