Maryland: Hail Cove
and related projects, Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge
August 16, 2016 •
1
min read
Ducks Unlimited and its partners have impacted more than 200 acres of wetlands and other critical habitat inside Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge as part of the Hail Cove project and other related conservation work. The installation of breakwater structures, creation of an oyster reef and reconstruction of the natural shoreline helped restore a narrowing isthmus that protected more than 100 acres of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in Hail Cove. Other projects included the restoration of forested wetlands and moist-soil units on the refuge.
SAV growth will help improve water quality inside Hail Cove and across Eastern Neck NWR, as well as providing a critical food source for migrating waterfowl along the Atlantic Flyway.
Eastern Neck NWR is a 2,285-acre island refuge that provides major feeding and resting habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl. More than 100,000 ducks, geese and swans seek sanctuary here each year, as do migrating and breeding songbirds and shorebirds, and bald eagles that thrive here year-round.
A variety of recreational opportunities are available in the refuge. Nearly 9 miles of trails and roads, including universally accessible boardwalks and a waterside trail, are open to visitors much of the year, providing excellent wildlife viewing and spectacular Chesapeake Bay vistas. Facilities for boating, fishing and crabbing are also available.
Partners: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Eastern Shore Resource Conservation Development, Waterfowl Festival, Chesapeake Bay Trust, FishAmerica Foundation, Vulcan Materials Company, Constellation Energy, Baltimore National Aquarium, Friends of Eastern Neck, Washington College, the Johnson Family and Ducks Unlimited
SAV growth will help improve water quality inside Hail Cove and across Eastern Neck NWR, as well as providing a critical food source for migrating waterfowl along the Atlantic Flyway.
Eastern Neck NWR is a 2,285-acre island refuge that provides major feeding and resting habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl. More than 100,000 ducks, geese and swans seek sanctuary here each year, as do migrating and breeding songbirds and shorebirds, and bald eagles that thrive here year-round.
A variety of recreational opportunities are available in the refuge. Nearly 9 miles of trails and roads, including universally accessible boardwalks and a waterside trail, are open to visitors much of the year, providing excellent wildlife viewing and spectacular Chesapeake Bay vistas. Facilities for boating, fishing and crabbing are also available.
Partners: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Eastern Shore Resource Conservation Development, Waterfowl Festival, Chesapeake Bay Trust, FishAmerica Foundation, Vulcan Materials Company, Constellation Energy, Baltimore National Aquarium, Friends of Eastern Neck, Washington College, the Johnson Family and Ducks Unlimited
