the Maryland natural resourceVol. 11, No. 4 I Fall 2008 Martin O’Malley Governor Maryland Department of Natural Resources John R. Griffin Secretary The Maryland Natural Resource ...Your guide to recreation & conservation in Maryland Darlene Pisani Director Office of Communications John Cornell Managing Editor Wiley Hall Editor Peter Lampell Art Director/Layout & Design Tabitha Contee Circulation Editorial Support Donna Jones-Regan Barbara Rice • Kara Turner Darlene Walker Contributors Steve Bittner • Mike English Ross M. Kimmel • Steven W. Koehn Dana Limpert • Keith Lockwood Paul Peditto • Doug Wigfield The Maryland Natural Resource 580 Taylor Avenue, D-4 Annapolis, Maryland 21401 Toll free in Maryland: 1-877-620-8DNR ext. 8009 Out of state call: 410-260-8009 Website: www.dnr.maryland.gov E-mail address: [email protected] ISSN 1521-9984 Tell us what you think! Please write or e-mail us at the above address, or fax us at: 410-260-8024 Observations, conclusions and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department. The facilities and services of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin or physical or mental disability. This document is available in alternative format upon request from a qualified individual with a disability. © 2008 Maryland Department of Natural Resources Ocean City Inlet Worcester County Mark Odell the Maryland natural resource On the cover: Sunrise at Battery Point Features Jason Schlosser 4 The Battle of North Point A Little-Known Battle from a Scarcely Remembered War 10 Maryland Hunters A Legacy of Support for Wildlife Conservation 12 Junior Wildlife Field Days Young People enjoy Buffet of Outdoor Activities 14 Tree Stand Safety A Simple Knot Can Prevent a Bad Fall Page 4 16 What’s Killing the Bats? Investigating Causes of Population Decline 18 Autumn Fishing on the Chesapeake Bay Anticipating the Annual Ballet of Nature 20 The Future of Maryland’s Working Forests Sustaining One of Our Most Precious Resources Page 10 22 River of Words® The Winners 25 Children in Nature National Coalition Supports Maryland Partnership 28 A Picture Perfect Finish The 2008 Maryland Fishing Challenge In Every Issue Page 12 2 The Common Good 3 Consider the Elements 24 Outdoors Maryland 26 Short Takes Page 18 Ocean City Inlet 29 DNR@Work Worcester County Mark Odell DNR-01-9292008-345 Printed on recycled paper 9/08 Fall 2008 I The Common Good e have made significant progress project through which pier owners along the Tred in meeting the challenges that lay Avon River in Talbot County are becoming caretakers before us on our path to a restored for thousands of young oysters during their first year WChesapeake Bay, but we also recognize that to reach of life. This project, which we plan to expand to that sustainable future for our natural and living other areas of the Chesapeake Bay next year, is the resources, our State government will not be able to first of several initiatives that bring citizens, State solve these challenges alone. agencies, and environmental groups together to Fortunately, as Marylanders, we share a belief that help us reach our natural resources goals. each of us has a personal responsibility to protect the The program will be managed by the Maryland health of our land, our air and our water and to pass Department of Natural Resources in collaboration on those precious resources to future generations in with the Oyster Recovery Partnership and the better condition than we received them. University of Maryland Center for Environmental Every day, we see ordinary people taking Science. This year, nearly 250 Talbot County extraordinary measures to support conservation in our residents will help grow thousands of oysters until State. All across Maryland, our neighbors and families they are large enough to be planted on local, are working hand in hand with both government and permanent sanctuaries. Talbot County has been private groups to improve our waterways and public a critical partner in helping us identify interested land. Together, we are moving towards sustainable homeowners. I’m also pleased to note that the lifestyles, and embracing energy efficiency to reduce 1,000 oyster cages for this project were built by our carbon footprint. individuals at the Eastern Correctional Institution So as we’ve worked together to secure the future in Somerset County. we prefer – a future where our streets are safe; a Through their action and commitment, our future where a quality education is a right and neighbors are setting a vital example of stewardship not a privilege; a future where we practice fiscal for our fellow Marylanders. Not only will more responsibility and make our government work for oysters be placed in the Chesapeake Bay as a result the people; and a future where our natural world of these efforts, but rejuvenated oyster reefs will thrives – we are relying on every Marylander to naturally become critical underwater ecosystems for help us build that better, more sustainable a rich diversity of aquatic life. future and to protect the resources that Working together, as One Maryland, we can real- support life on our planet. ize our shared goal of bringing about that cleaner, In September, we kicked off greener, more sustainable future all of us prefer – both Marylanders Grow Oysters, a pilot for ourselves, and for future generations. Martin O’Malley Governor Governor’s Office Governor’s 22 I IThe The Maryland Maryland Natural Natural Resource Resource Consider The elemenTs fter 16 months of study, the Maryland extremes and degradation of fishery, farm and forest Commission on Climate Change resources could wreak havoc on our economy. recently issued an action plan outlining Fortunately, these dire forecasts were offset by 60 Aa comprehensive strategy for reducing our State’s concrete steps that Maryland can – and must – take vulnerability to the effects of global warming. today to reduce not only greenhouse gas emissions Governor Martin O’Malley appointed the 24- but also, as importantly, our vulnerability to climate member panel in April 2007, charging agency heads change and its impacts. and legislators with addressing three questions. What Harnessing nature’s ability to adapt and heal itself, can the State’s scientists tell us about how and when we must plant more trees to help capture excessive climate change will affect Maryland’s citizens and carbon pollution. Restoring more wetlands and living natural resources? What can Maryland do to adapt to shorelines will help shield us from flooding and coastal the consequences of climate change? And, what can storms. And careful planning can help us reduce the Maryland do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and vulnerability of our homes, our investments, and our the state’s carbon footprint to begin reversing global living resources from the impacts of sea level rise. warming trends? The Maryland Department of Natural Resources The commission found that, with our 3,000 is already working, both internally and with our miles of coastline, we are indeed “poised State agency partners, to implement many of the in a very precarious position.” Commission’s key recommendations. These include Along with the changing climate, crafting sea level rise planning guidance for Worcester, contributing to our vulnerability is Somerset and Dorchester Counties, and creating a the prospect of episodic storm events Climate Change Insurance Advisory Committee. We such as hurricanes and Nor’easters, are also developing standards to guide the location which can result in shore erosion, coastal and design of our facilities in vulnerable coastal areas, flooding, storm surge and sea level rise. and working to reduce our footprint by sequestering After careful analysis of the most carbon, planting trees, and improving the efficiency current scientific data available, the of our vehicle fleet. commission warned that Maryland Under the leadership of Governor O’Malley, could face an increase in dangerous Maryland is setting an example in the management summer heat waves by mid-century, of state lands and facilities and setting the stage for endangering a number of native other public and private entities to follow. Together species and vital habitat. Further, we can combat the causes of climate change and continuous blows from climate prepare for its consequences. John R. Griffin Secretary Governor’s Office Governor’s Fall 2008 I 4 I The Maryland Natural Resource Don Troiani is a military historyTroiani artist the 5th Infantry who painted Don at the Battle of North Point The Battle of North Point A Little-Known Battle from a Scarcely Remembered War By Ross M. Kimmel ost people can make a pretty good guess when the War of 1812 started. Some know about the bombardment of Fort McHenry, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner. MAnd movie buffs no doubt recall mustachioed Yul Brunner as the pirate chieftain Jean Lafitte coming to the rescue of silver-haired, heavy-browed Charlton Heston as Andrew Jackson in The Buccaneer, an account of the Battle of New Orleans. Not as well known, perhaps, is the pivotal role that Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay played in the war. And even less well known is the Battle of North Point, a fierce engagement on the outskirts of Baltimore that helped turn the Chesapeake campaign against the British. But the Battle of North Point was a clash that pitted a disciplined, yet untested militia against battle-hardened British veterans. It saved Baltimore and helped boost the self-esteem of a young nation that had just seen its Capitol and many of its national buildings burned to the ground. FallFall 20082008 II 55 Major General Samuel Smith (left) was in overall command of the American defense of Baltimore.