Baltimore (September 13, 2004) – The National Aquarium in Baltimore is looking for volunteers to spend a day (or a week) restoring a wetland along Barren Island in Dorchester County between September 22 – 28, 2004. During the week, over 100,000 grasses will be planted along 15 acres of the island’s shore, creating a brand new wetland.
Barren Island is part of the Chesapeake Marshland National Wildlife Refuge Complex and is twelve miles south of the Choptank River in the Chesapeake Bay.
Volunteers should call 410-576-3851 or e-mail conserve@aqua.org to register. All participants must be at least 14 years of age. Boat transportation to the island will be provided so advanced registration is required.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Restoration Center, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation and the Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation provided funding for this project. The Aquarium’s partners for the Barren Island restoration are the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maryland Conservation Corps, Friends of Blackwater and Americorps*National Civilian Community Corps.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore, a non-profit organization and world-class aquatic institution, is Maryland’s leading attraction, hosting more than 1.5 million visitors per year. Dedicated to education and conservation, it serves the environment, students, visitors and communities through a variety or programs. For more information, visit www.aqua.org.
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