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If you have time or expertise to lend the sanctuary, please complete this form and mail it to 23000 Wells Point Road, Bozman, MD 21612.

August 2007 Update
Get ready for a project that underway that will require the largest volunteer time commitment the Sanctuary has ever seen!

You may be familiar with our sister Sanctuary, Pickering Creek Audubon Center in Easton. Just recently, the Center put the final touches on an interpretive wetland restoration project designed to attract many species of waterfowl and wildlife. This project, designed by the Chesapeake Wildlife Heirtage has seen an incredible amount of success in bringing in and making habitat for hundreds of species of birds, mammals, and assorted species of flora and fauna. We are planning a similar restoration project right here at the Jean Ellen duPont Shehan Audubon Sanctuary that will combine eight different habitat projects from wetland creation, to shoreline protections, to buffer planting. Our partners on this project include U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited and Maryland Department of Natural Resources to name a few.

The Point Project, as it has informally been named, will begin this October with the completion of two wetland impoundments and the planting of over 200 native species intended to attract and feed wildlife in addition the erection of 400 feet of deer fencing. We are looking for volunteers who can contribute a 6-8 hour day on either Friday October 26th and/or Saturday October 27th. Additional volunteer opportunities will be available after these dates as well, as this is just the first scheduled date as of now.

This ongoing project has multiple objectives in addition to providing essential habitat for beneficial wildlife. It will lend a helping-hand for landowners looking for assistance in conservation landscaping. It will be home to accessible bird-blinds, a solar-powered education classroom, and additional hiking and biking trails open to the public.

As always, volunteers are the key for success in projects such as these. We hope that you will consider us when thinking of ways to get involved in your community. Our volunteers enjoy the compliments of appreciation dinners hosted by the Sanctuary that introduce us to each other as well as other rewards for time commitment. In addition, upon completion, volunteers are able to see a finished project that is environmentally beneficial and will have learned something about environmental restoration in the process.

Please remember us in your daily tasks, as we truly need your help in achieving the Audubon’s mission of conservation this October. If you feel like you will be able to contribute volunteer hours in any capacity, please contact Lindsey at 410-745-9283.

Now for the gritty and dirty tasks that lay ahead.

Spotted Turtle Nest Survey
June 12: 10:00am. Bring tall boots and long pants as we search for the nests of Spotted Turtles. Nesting in May and June, this herp prefers open fields near a wetland and in our case, these fields have dense patches of poison ivy. I would suggest covering yourself up if you are allergic. As with all activities, please let me know you are coming. No experience required!

Weeds
As if we didn't have our gardens to weed at home, we need help! We have a beautiful butterfly garden at the entrance of the property that needs to be weeded and then perhaps mulched. If you'd like to learn a thing or two about plants that attract butterflies, then this is the opportunity for you! Who knew weeding could be so fulfilling?!

Greenbriar Removal
Special thanks to Vince who really put a lot of effort into attacking our Green Briar problem around the boardwalk. Unfortunately, this plant is very invasive and is still surrounding the vernal pool. Luckily, this task involves being shaded under a canopy of loblolly pines and not sweltering in the June heat. This can be done at your own pace as you have time!

Bird and Wildlife Surveys
We are offering a chance for people to come and just peek into our fields for an hour or so and tell us what they see. Our warm season grasses have been graced with Eastern Meadowlarks and Grasshopper Sparrows as well as several species of snakes, butterflies and Box Turtles! If you'd like to help us evaluate, contact me and we’ll assign you to a field.

Nest Box Erection
We are in the midst of considering which nest boxes would be the most valuable to us. There are bat boxes, butterfly boxes, purple martin houses. If you know a thing or two about nestboxes, let's put our heads together and see what we can create. We've already successfully brooded Wood Duck and Bluebirds!

Our volunteers are very important to us. We hope that you have found helping at the Sanctuary fulfilling. If there is ever anything you want to recommend or tell us, please do, our rabbit ears are open.

See you soon!