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Contact: Dave Curson
Phone: 410 558 2473
dcurson@audubon.org

Bozeman, Maryland, October 1, 2005—Audubon Maryland-DC held a ceremony to dedicate Blackwater-Fishing Bay Marshes Important Bird Area. Blackwater-Fishing Bay Marshes is the largest contiguous block of coastal marsh in the Chesapeake region and is one of the most important sites for bird conservation in Maryland. It hosts globally vulnerable Black Rails and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows, the largest bald eagle concentration on the East Coast outside Florida (up to 200 overwinter), and 30,000 wintering waterfowl, including 3,000 Black Ducks, an Audubon WatchList species.

The ceremony took place as part of the annual Open House celebrations of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Executive Director of Audubon Maryland-DC, Rick Leader, presented plaques to staff of Blackwater NWR and Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the principal land owners of the site, and the Friends of Blackwater NWR. Also present at the ceremony were National Audubon's Director of Bird Conservation, Greg Butcher, and Birdlife International's senior Policy Advisor, Gary Allport.

From left to right, Dave Curson (Audubon Maryland-DC), Glenn Carowan (Blackwater NWR), Marty O'Conner (Friends of Blackwater NWR), Peter Jayne (Maryland DNR), Rick Leader (Audubon Maryland-DC). Photo: Gary Allport.

Audubon is celebrating its centennial year of protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.

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