Featured News

Teacher Professional Development Opportunity March 18 and 20

Connecting Classroom Science to Field Research

A Professional Development Opportunity

For Middle School teachers, High School STEM, AP Environmental Science, and IB teachers

USING FIELDSCOPE

Assist with the Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas Survey, a 5-year project to map the distribution of all amphibians and reptiles within the state. The Natural History Society of Maryland (NHSM), in cooperation with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD-DNR), plans to map the distribution of all herps within the state, using mostly volunteer help. The information gained from this effort, when compared to the historical record, will be used to determine population trends and assess the potential effects of future activities.

Between the Storms

Two days after one of the largest snow storms ever to blanket the Washington DC area, the frozen Patuxent River floodplain is a stark sweeping pattern of slate-gray and bright white curves, tracing the arc of the wide river meander that spreads out below the Observation Deck at Jug Bay. The deck makes a perfect place to observe ice and nature on a day between storms.

Banner Year for Amphibians Forecast

Vernal Pools--Teeming with Life

Good news for the wood frogs, marbled salamanders and spotted salamanders! The vernal pools that they rely on began filling early this winter--following two dry years.

Volunteer Appreciation Social

We celebrated 25 years of our Volunteer Program on Sunday, February 21 at Quiet Waters Park. Seventy volunteers who help maintain our trails, teach school children, assist with research, pick up trash, pull invasive plants, and pitch in on construction projects attended the dinner and social. Three of our stalwart volunteers - Marty Barron, Dotty Mumford and Sue Ricciardi were each honored for serving over 25 years as Sanctuary volunteers. We could not do it without you!

Animal Outreach FOJB Fundraiser

Support the Friends of Jug Bay and have some fun this weekend! This Saturday, volunteers will be at the Greenstreet Gardens nursery just minutes from the Sanctuary. This annual fundraiser involves live animals, crafts, food and more.

Click here for more information.

Short course: Waterbirds of the Chesapeake Bay

Join us this winter to learn about the variety of waterbirds that winter in our area....

Thursday evenings, January 14, 21 and 28; 7:00-9:00 pm
Saturday mornings, January 16, 23, 30; 8:00 am-noon

Location: Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary (Wetlands Center)

Instructor: Chris Swarth

Cost: $50

Winter "Marsh Notes" Newsletter

The latest edition of Marsh Notes is out. Click here for the full color web-version.

Season of the Waterbirds

Winter-time waterbirds are here!

Teal, grebes, northern harriers, geese, and more can be seen from the Observation Deck.

Enjoy a stroll along the Railroad Bed Trail to see these fascinating harbingers of winter.

And join us on alternating Thursday mornings for the Winter Waterbird Count. Call 410-741-9330 for more information and to sign up.

Winter Waterbird Survey

As summer turns to fall, waterbirds like terns, egrets and rails leave the area, but new and different species move in for the winter. Ducks, geese and gulls arrive by the thousands.

Help us to count and identify the many types of waterbirds that use our marshes. Bring your binoculars and spotting scopes!

Beginners - this is a great way to sharpen your birding skills. No experience necessary!