Natural Wonders- Restoring the Past

Story by Jackie Zilliox

Before Colonial times, American Indians hunted the abundant wildlife in Southern Maryland through a diverse terrain. They had their choice of good hardwood trees for their canoes and dwellings. The public can discover the same surroundings by trail or canoe at the largest reserve on the western shore of Calvert County, managed by the American Chestnut Land Trust.

"The trust was started by a small group of individuals who wanted to preserve 400 acres of open fields, wetlands and woods adjoining their community, Scientists' Cliffs, in Port Republic," said Karen Edgecombe, executive director of the trust.

Scientists' Cliffs was founded when George Flippo Gravatt, a forest pathologist, was sent to Calvert County in the 1930s to study the blight destroying the American Chestnut tree. He fell in love with the pristine shoreline and beauty of the area. He purchased 238 acres and sold it to his scientist friends with the idea of building a community. Eventually more land was purchased, which totaled 400 acres. In 1986, the property was enrolled in the Calvert County Agricultural Preservation Program and the land trust was named after the tree that was once a giant of the eastern United States hardwood forest.

The trust now owns over 900 acres and manages 1,800 acres for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

"The most important goals of the land trust today are twofold," Edgecombe said. "The first is to protect the natural resources of the Parkers Creek and Governors Run watersheds, as well as the cultural resources (such as the cemeteries, homes, and structures, that tell us what the land was used for in preceding generations). The second goal is sustainable public access. By enjoying it, it's our hope that future generations will see the benefit of taking care of the land."

To take care of the land, groups such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Eagle Scouts have participated in trail maintenance days, building walkways and aiding in special public programs, according to Pat Tantum, outreach coordinator for the trust.

The reserve consists of 15 miles of hiking trails on both sides of Parkers Creek. Parkers Creek is the last unspoiled salt marsh on Maryland's western shore. Some trails are leisurely, others challenging. Trails are self-guided and open to the public 365 days a year - just sign in and hike. There are also guided hikes available and biking is permitted on the East Loop Trail.

A peaceful canoe trip up Parkers Creek is a great way to see the interesting land formations and progression from brackish water to clear fresh water. Guided trips start at the beach with the cliff formations. As you paddle up the creek, distinct changes in plant life, birds and wildlife make the trip more interesting. There are nine trips scheduled for 2008. They are by reservation with a $10 donation per person requested.

In addition to the physical activities the reserve offers, there are various scientific and environmental education projects and programs to join.

"One branch of volunteerism here at the reserve is to identify and remove invasive, non-native plants on the land trust," Tantum said. "We are focusing on the south side trails at present. We are always in need of volunteers for our vine vindicator program and weed whacking Wednesdays to help with cutting heavy vines and mowing, mowers provided. Work gloves and smile preferred."

"Most of our worker bees are volunteers; they are the lifeblood of our organization," Tantum said. "Even our treasurer, Paul Berry, and one member of our administrative staff are volunteers."

The last American Chestnut tree on the reserve blew down in the 2006-07 winter. The tree succumbed to the blight that Gravatt had tried to terminate decades before.

"For me - and I'm sure (for) all those that created and maintained this land trust - preserving land for the future has a resonance that lives longer than an individual," Edgecombe said.

American Chestnut Land Trust canoe trips

Want to know what it feels like to be up a creek with a paddle? You can with a scenic tour of unspoiled Southern Maryland terrain as you depart from Warrior's Rest and make your way up Parkers Creek on the American Chestnut Land Trust in Calvert County. Be aware that canoe trips are physically strenuous, requiring paddling for three hours, which sometimes can go against tides and wind. It may also require participants to help carry a canoe for up to one-quarter mile over sand to get to the creek.

2008 Canoe Trip Schedule:

April 20 from 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.
May 11 from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
May 31 from 12 - 3 p.m.
June 14 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
(A special seven and one-half mile journey from Flag Ponds to Parkers Creek, limited to 25 people).
June 21 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
July 19 from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 16 from 3 - 6 p.m.
Sept. 7 from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Sept. 13 from 2 - 5 p.m.
Oct. 11 from 12 -3 p.m.

Reservations are required and a $10 per person donation is requested. Call 410-414-3400 or e-mail: info (at) acltweb.org for more information.