Dorchester Pond
Geologically mysterious seasonal ponds

These coastal plain ponds, also known as Delmarva bays, are seasonally flooded freshwater wetlands and one of the state's rarest natural communities. Dorchester Pond is the largest coastal plain pond in Maryland, and possibly on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Visiting the Preserve
Dorchester Pond and Wetipquin Pond are only open to scientific research with prior permission from The Nature Conservancy, because of the fragile ecology of Delmarva bays.  Thank you for your understanding and help in protecting this important part of Maryland's

Location
Maryland's Eastern Shore

Plants

• creeping St. John's wort (nationally rare)
• purple bladderwort
• Torrey's mountain mint

Animals

• carpenter frog

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
To protect one of Maryland's rarest natural communities, Delmarva bays.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing Here

• 51 acres purchased since 1986
• Removing woody vegetation and planning prescribed burns to enhance habitat for rare plants--volunteers welcome!