Bay Journeys

Where the wild things are

MD expands areas to appreciate nature

Henry David Thoreau, in his essay “Walking,” wrote: “In wildness is the preservation of the world.”

That quote, combined with lots of time exploring the great outdoors, inspired me at a young age to appreciate wildlife and wild places and set me on a path to work to save them.

There is a certain rare magic to wild things that fuels the imagination and passion. My life would be drab if I had never seen a monarch butterfly, Atlantic white cedar swamp, rockfish or osprey. Knowing them has enriched my life, changed my perspective and fueled my sense of adventure.

Thanks to previous conservationists and a little luck, we can still find wild things in the landscapes of the Chesapeake.

To protect these wild places, several groups, including the Chesapeake Conservancy, have worked with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the state’s General Assembly to expand Maryland’s Wildland Preservation System. As of this writing, the General Assembly is poised to expand 14 existing Wildlands and designate nine new areas, a total of 21,890 acres of new Wildlands to be added to the current 43,773 acres.

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Immerse yourself in Dumbarton Oaks Park

The Japanese have a practice translated in English as “forest bathing,” in which people immerse themselves in a forest as a preventative health measure.

Studies have shown tremendous benefits of this practice, including lower blood pressure, reduced stress and improved sleep, which in turn promote better focus, a boosted immune system and higher energy levels. 

I can think of no better oasis to practice forest bathing than a local park. 

The simplicity and benefits of a park, no matter where it is, cannot be overstated. Parks provide a place to reconnect with nature. Short sojourns offer a break to clear the mind and get exercise — to take care of ourselves physically and mentally, and to become spiritually recharged. 

I recently had the fortune of visiting Dumbarton Oaks Park in Washington, DC, which provides that very opportunity.

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Terrapin park shows importance of access to the Bay

The Terrapin Nature Area in Stevensville, MD, reminds me why I’ve committed my career to conservation. This gorgeous park hides in plain sight on Kent Island, waving to everyone traveling eastward over the Bay Bridge, and offers so much to its visitors.

Managed by Queen Anne’s County, the 276-acre nature park has a 3.25-mile oyster-chaff walking trail that leads to a Bayfront beach. The walk from the parking lot to the beach is fairly lengthy but completely worthwhile. You’ll walk past wetlands and tidal ponds, along woods and wildflower meadows, all of which have small hidden treasures. A modest cemetery reveals the history of some Eastern Shore residents. Signs developed with financial support from the National Park Service teach visitors about the importance of wetland ecosystems. Finally, an old duck blind allows visitors to observe wildlife in the area. The Terrapin Nature Area — also called Terrapin Park or Terrapin Nature Preserve — exemplifies every reason that we conserve land in the Chesapeake region.

I recently spent an incredible day with my family at this park. We picnicked on a large piece of driftwood. My 2-year-old daughter played on the beach with our Labrador retrievers in total delight.

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