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Friends of Jug Bay

Our Mission

To support the preservation and conservation of Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary; to foster educational programs that increase public awareness and appreciation of Jug Bay, the Patuxent River, and its watershed; to promote scientific research, including citizen science; and to partner with volunteers and affiliate organizations to achieve these goals.

Join Us

The Friends of Jug Bay depend on the passion, dedication, and gifts of volunteers, members, and donors.

You will be supporting efforts to enhance and preserve Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary and receive great benefits, including free admission to the Sanctuary, lectures, workshops, discounts, and social gatherings.

Membership and Benefits

Individual $25
& Family $35

  • Free admission to the Sanctuary
  • Monthly e-newsletter, quarterly Marsh Notes newsletter (electronic)
  • Discount on select programs
  • Notifications on special events and workshops.

Benefactor $100

  • Free admission to the Sanctuary
  • Monthly e-newsletter, quarterly Marsh Notes newsletter (electronic)
  • Discount on select programs
  • Notifications on special events and workshops
  • One $20 voucher (with 1-year expiration date) for use in the Jug Bay gift shop and + early registration opportunity for select FOJB events.

Patron
$250

  • Free admission to the Sanctuary
  • Monthly e-newsletter, quarterly Marsh Notes newsletter (electronic)
  • Discount on select programs
  • Notifications on special events and workshops
  • One $20 voucher (with 1-year expiration date) for use in the Jug Bay gift shop and + early registration opportunity for select FOJB events.
  • Two (2) free tickets (with 1-year expiration date) for a guided canoe trip (choose from existing scheduled FOJB trips).

Steward
$500

  • Free admission to the Sanctuary
  • Monthly e-newsletter, quarterly Marsh Notes newsletter (electronic)
  • Discount on select programs
  • Notifications on special events and workshops
  • One $20 voucher (with 1-year expiration date) for use in the Jug Bay gift shop and + early registration opportunity for select FOJB events.
  • Two (2) free tickets (with 1-year expiration date) for a guided canoe trip (choose from existing scheduled FOJB trips).
  • Annual Stewards Reception: Stewards join board members and Jug Bay staff at an exclusive reception to learn about the annual accomplishments and future direction and priorities of JBWS/FOJB and give input into future FOJB direction and priorities.

Leadership Circle $1000

  • Free admission to the Sanctuary
  • Monthly e-newsletter, quarterly Marsh Notes newsletter (electronic)
  • Discount on select programs
  • Notifications on special events and workshops
  • One $20 voucher (with 1-year expiration date) for use in the Jug Bay gift shop and + early registration opportunity for select FOJB events.
  • Two (2) free tickets (with 1-year expiration date) for a guided canoe trip (choose from existing scheduled FOJB trips).
  • Annual Stewards Reception: Stewards join board members and Jug Bay staff at an exclusive reception to learn about the annual accomplishments and future direction and priorities of JBWS/FOJB and give input into future FOJB direction and priorities.
  • A morning behind-the-scenes with the Sanctuary Superintendent, followed by lunch

About the Friends of Jug Bay

The Friends of Jug Bay (FOJB or Friends) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that was formed in 1986 to support and promote Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary. The Friends receive funds from membership dues, donations, grants, fundraisers, and the sale of merchandise. Some of the projects and activities supported by these funds include research internships, summer camp scholarships, school bus transportation, stewardship projects, office and maintenance support, staff and volunteer development, scientific and educational equipment and materials, and other special projects.

What We Support!

The Friends play an active role monitoring local land use changes that may impact the Sanctuary and the Patuxent River watershed. We also work with the local government and third parties to facilitate land preservation or acquisition. 

The Friends provide paid internships to qualified university students who are majoring in environmental sciences and related fields. Interns conduct research or develop educational tools and programs under the supervision of a mentor, offering thema valuable opportunity to gain professional experience while contributing to the body of knowledge and resources of the Sanctuary.

Every summer, the Friends provide several scholarships to elementary and middle school students who otherwise would be unable to participate in the science summer camp programs at the Sanctuary.

The Friends assist with transportation costs each year for schools with limited budgets to bring students to the Sanctuary for fun, educational field trips geared toward meaningful outdoor experiences.

The Friends provide financial support for many stewardship programs including maintaining pollinator gardens, river and watershed clean ups, and controlling emerald ash borer and other invasive threats to Jug Bay ecosystems.

The Friends of Jug Bay provide financial support for Sanctuary volunteers and staff to participate in workshops and conferences that enhance their professional development and further the mission of the Sanctuary.

The Friends provide scientific and educational equipment (e.g., books, nets, water testing equipment, microscopes) that young school students, research interns, and citizen scientists use to do research and learn about wetland and terrestrial ecology. Equipment funded by the Friends includes books, nets, water testing equipment, microscopes, game cameras, radio telemetry gear, etc.

The Friends have helped fund special projects like renovating a 19th century house on the Glendening Nature Preserve. They have also assisted with financial and operational planning for the Patuxent River Conference and the Explore the Patuxent Teen Paddle.

Jug Bay Education, Research & Discovery (JBERD) Field Station

Located within the Sanctuary along Maryland's Patuxent River at the Emory Waters Preserve, the Jug Bay Education, Research, and Discovery (JBERD) Field Station will provide valuable opportunities for both the education and scientific communities and the citizens of Anne Arundel County, the Chesapeake Bay region, and beyond.

The natural and cultural resources of JBERD include:

  • 225 forest acres
  • Access to over 300 wetland acres 
  • 15 meadow acres
  • Archaeological resources
  • Vernal Pools and creeks

The facilities will: 

  • Offer overnight facilities to researchers, educators, students, and the public
  • Support unique citizen science and volunteer programs in Anne Arundel County and southern Maryland 
  • Expand Graduate/undergraduate internship programs at Jug Bay
  • Provide residential, research-based learning opportunities for teachers
  • Afford an opportunity to study the rich 10,000-year American Indian history of Jug Bay
  • Advance knowledge on best practices for land and habitat management through field experimentation.

Phase 1

Nearly $1.3 million was raised in 2020 for construction of overnight cabins and furniture, a bath house with restrooms and showers, and the creation of a master architectural plan for the field station. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Anne Arundel County, and the Friends of Jug Bay were the funding partners.  

Construction for Phase 1 of the Jug Bay Field Station will begin in the fall of 2023

Phase 2

We are asking for your help to raise funds for Phase 2 – 

for the construction of laboratory space, meeting areas, offices, kitchen and dining room for the field station.

Estimated funding needed:

$3 - 4 million

Annual Reports

The Friends present an annual report at the Friends of Jug Bay Annual Meeting in the spring of each year. We have made our 2019 and 2020 annual reports available online in lieu of a public meeting.

About the Board

The business of the Friends is conducted by a Board of Directors made up of members with strong backgrounds and passions in the natural sciences. The Board meets every month to decide how to raise and disperse funds, and to monitor issues that could affect the Sanctuary. The Board of Directors welcomes suggestions from members and encourages them to help with projects and committee activities.

Love Jug Bay and want to help support its work? Consider joining the FOJB Board! To contact the Board please email info@friendsofjugbay.org

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  • John Norris

    President

Tor B
  • Tor Bjerkens

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  • Colin Rees

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  • Vacant

    Vice President

Brewer
  • Gwen Brewer

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  • Stephen Goldsmith

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  • Elaine Friebele

    Secretary

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  • Doug Miller

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  • Natalie Johnson

Al Tucker
  • Al Tucker

    Acting Treasurer

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Jug Bay Award

In 1996, the Friends initiated a conservation award to recognize an individual whose active involvement in the Jug Bay region has contributed to a better understanding and appreciation of this unique wetland ecosystem. The award is presented at the Annual Meeting of the Friends in April of each year.

Recipients

Picture 8

Jug Bay Award

In 1996, the Friends initiated a conservation award to recognize an individual whose active involvement in the Jug Bay region has contributed to a better understanding and appreciation of this unique wetland ecosystem. The award is presented at the Annual Meeting of the Friends in April of each year.

Recipients