The Place Between Land and WaterMore than one third of Maryland's wetlands are here in Dorchester County. These thriving marshes filter pollutants before they reach the bay, provide homes for creatures from blue crabs to herons, and shelter migrating waterfowl. As sea level rises, these wetlands and their inhabitants could disappear. To see what scientists are discovering about wetlands, visit Horn Point Laboratory, which offers seasonal public tours just a few miles from here.
Vanishing VillagesSince Captain John Smith mapped some of the Chesapeake Bay's waterways in 1612, dozens of islands have disappeared—-victims of sinking land and rising water. In Dorchester, places like Hoopers Island, a centuries-old fishing village, are occasionally swamped and slowly eroding. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge loses about 130 acres of marsh each year to rising sea level.
A Haven for Waterfowl and WildlifeOne of the country's best-known wetlands is Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, about 12 miles from here. The refuge's 27,000 acres are carefully monitored and managed to provide a welcoming home for wildlife today and in the future. Located along the Atlantic Flyway, a major bird migration route, Blackwater offers excellent bird-watching opportunities. Visitors often spy bald eagles, egrets, osprey, and many types of ducks.
(Inscription under the map on the upper right) Dorchester County has 1,700 miles of shoreline, more than any other county in Maryland. Our many waterways have shaped the culture, commerce, recreation, and a way of life here.
| HM Number | HM1HRG |
|---|---|
| Tags | |
| Placed By | Maryland Heritage Area |
| Marker Condition | No reports yet |
| Date Added | Tuesday, November 11th, 2014 at 9:04am PST -08:00 |
| UTM (WGS84 Datum) | 18S E 407321 N 4269785 |
|---|---|
| Decimal Degrees | 38.57170000, -76.06390000 |
| Degrees and Decimal Minutes | N 38° 34.302', W 76° 3.834' |
| Degrees, Minutes and Seconds | 38° 34' 18.12" N, 76° 3' 50.04" W |
| Driving Directions | Google Maps |
| Area Code(s) | 410, 443 |
| Closest Postal Address | At or near 93 US-50, Cambridge MD 21613, US |
| Alternative Maps | Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap |
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