Forum On The Environment Scheduled For Mallard Landing

The Wicomico Neighborhood Congress is pleased to announce its 3rd community forum; A discussion of issues facing the environment in Wicomico County. Experts from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, and the Audubon Society are slated to present to members, the public, and residents of Mallard Landing in Salisbury on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 7:00 PM.

Margaret Vivian, Heart of the Chesapeake Coordinator for Chesapeake Bay Foundation will present on the challenges facing the Wicomico River basin and ways that citizens of the county can protect the health of the river. Her presentation will include the statistics of the 2007 Creekwatchers Report - the most comprehensive, unbiased, and scientifically credible information available on the health of the Wicomico River. Vivian will also present on rain barrels and rain gardens and how their use by citizens are a benefit to the environment.

Megan Ward will continue the evening with a comprehensive look at the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance project to monitor the health of the Nanticoke River and its watershed – which encompasses over 370, 000 acres, and five counties in two states. Megan will discuss the framework of the Alliance’s program, what aspects of water quality are monitored, and what NWA hopes to achieve as a result of the project.

David Curson, Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon MD-DC, will discuss “Important Bird Areas on Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore” and the “Prioritization of Sites for Bird Conservation.” Mr. Curson’s presentation will focus on habitat loss and the strategic approach to bird conservation for bird species in particularly vulnerable areas.

This Wicomico Neighborhood Congress forum follows November 2007’s forum on “Growth and Development” in Hebron, MD, January 2008’s forum on “Crime” in Delmar, MD. Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt encouraged the public to attend and added, “After its first forums on growth and crime, the WNC is taking another big step into an issue that affects every neighborhood in Wicomico County…the environment. I hope many of us will attend and take advantage of this opportunity to become involved in the issues that affect our quality of life.” Pollitt formed the WNC with community activist Rocky Burnett and Salisbury City Councilwoman Debbie Campbell, shortly after being elected County Executive in late 2006.

WNC Chairman Jim Ireton is equally excited to hold the Environment Forum at Mallard Landing in Salisbury. “With the view of Schumaker Pond on the way into Mallard Landing, it’s not hard to realize the connectivity of all of our waterways and that this forum will highlight the Wicomico and Nanticoke Rivers. We are lucky to have the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, and the Audubon Society join with us in our continued effort to educate and organize citizens around common problems that face Wicomico County. Their efforts to give us tangible evidence and best practices in conservation and preservation are deeply appreciated. As always the public is invited and encouraged to attend.”

Mallard Landing Retirement Community is located 1107 S. Schumaker Drive in Salisbury. The WNC meeting will take place in the community clubhouse on the Mallard Landing campus. Questions and information? Please contact WNC Chairman Jim Ireton at 410-749-5712.