Why should I support Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage?

THE PROBLEM

Every day, we’re losing habitat and the wildlife that depends on it to survive. More than 1.9 million acres of wildlife habitat are lost each year in North America alone. Maryland has lost more than 70% of the wetland habitat that is critical to wildlife health and diversity. The number and types of wildlife species are vanishing at an alarming rate.

Just one disappearing plant species can take 10 to 30 dependent animal and insect species with it. No other case illustrates this point better than the decline of submerged aquatic vegetation and the resulting decrease of waterfowl, fish, and shellfish in the Chesapeake Bay. This loss of diversity affects everyone, particularly here in Maryland, which is an integral part of the Atlantic Flyway.

THE SOLUTION

We can help reverse this trend by building and restoring wetlands and associated uplands on previously converted marginal farmland; by installing wildlife nesting structures to replace depleted natural nesting sites; by eliminating insecticides and reducing herbicide use (by over 2/3) while maintaining farm profitability; and by educating landowners on enhancing the wildlife habitat value of their land.

CWH has worked with more than 1,000 landowners on various land and farm management projects and developed the technical competence and field experience to take a whole-farm approach to land and habitat management. We have:

— Restored more than 2,000 acres of wetlands 
— Created more than 5,000 acres of warm-season grass meadows
— Installed thousands of wildlife nesting structures in appropriate habitat Bay-wide
— Planted over 1,000 acres of trees 

WHY US?

CWH performs a unique service for wildlife. Our projects help to recover lost habitat and promote sustainable agriculture practices that benefit the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and its wildlife species. We are the only private conservation organization in Maryland that works with landowners to plan, construct, and maintain wildlife habitat and implement profitable farming practices that benefit our environment. And we are the only organization that manages these projects long after completion.

WHAT CAN I DO?

You can help by becoming a member of Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage. Your support and concern for the resource are vital to the future of wildlife species that directly benefit from hands-on habitat enhancement and improvement projects performed by CWH.

Join us in becoming a CWH member, you can take pride in being a partner in protecting our natural heritage. Membership is tax deductible. 

Thank you for your interest in CWH. Together we can ensure that future generations enjoy their wildlife heritage.