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• Wetlands are a natural climate solution. Guess who’s turning them into big polluters?

  Grist | November 29, 2018

  If restored, wetlands around the country could be part of the solution to climate change. Maryland/DC's director of science, Dr. Ariana Sutton-Grier, is an author of a recent study that looks at the role of wetlands in storing carbon.

• Wetlands hold the key to cutting emissions

  FIU News | November 28, 2018

  “It’s only been in recent years that we’ve been able to truly recognize the important role wetlands play in storing carbon, but we’ve also learned that they need to remain healthy and intact to continue providing that benefit.”

  The Maryland/DC chapter's director of science, Dr. Ariana Sutton-Grier, is a co-author of this recently released report.

• Mollie Byron named Leading Woman

  The Daily Record | November 28, 2018

  Mollie Byron, Maryland/DC chapter Director of State and Federal Government Relations, has been named as one of Maryland's Leading Women. The Leading Women Award celebrates professionals with a passion for making a difference and a commitment to inspiring change. 

• Pocomoke River ‘replumbing’ to ditch 20th-century ag channels

  Bay Journal | November 20, 2018

  A coalition of state and federal agencies has been collaborating with The Nature Conservancy on the Pocomoke River restoration since 2015. The nearly $4 million project, funded by government and nonprofit sources, is designed to allow the river to spill more often into its historic floodplain, diverting tons of nutrients and sediment that would otherwise gush downstream and enter the Chesapeake Bay.

• An island in the Chesapeake Bay is eroding, and a UMD researcher is trying to save it

  The Dianmondback | November 15, 2018

  Dr. Ariana Sutton-Grier, director of science for the Maryland/DC chapter, and a professor at the University of Maryland's Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, is part of a team studying how natural solutions dunes, wetlands, and maritime forests can help protect vulnerable coastal communities.

Highlights from MD/DC

• Will dunes project be Deal Islanders’ line in sand against flooding?

  Bay Journal | October 29, 2018

  Coastal habitats, such as forests and wetlands, can reduce flooding and erosion.  Research being conducted on Maryland's Deal Island by The Nature Conservancy and George Mason University is aimed at quantifying these natural benefits.

• Mount Olivet, un cementerio "esponja" (Mount Olivet, a cemetery "sponge")

  Telemundo | September 25, 2018

  ¿Ud. quisiera saber como funciona jardínes de lluvia? En esta noticia de Telemundo, nuestros expertos hablan de como estes jardínes limpian agua de tormenta antes de que vaya al Rio Anacostia.

  (Curious about how a rain garden works?  Our experts explain how rain gardens are being used to clean stormwater before it reaches the Anacostia River in this news segment from Telemundo.)

• Sustaining wetlands to mitigate disasters and protect people

  Ecological Society of America | October 1, 2018

  The editorial, co-authored by MD/DC Director of Science Ariana Sutton-Grief, discusses the need for innovations in how we manage coastal wetlands to ensure that vulnerable coastal communities can benefit from their natural protections.

• Giving the green light to impact investing in environmental projects

  Financial Times | September 24, 2018

  London’s Financial Times looks at innovations that are bringing private capital into conservation projects – including efforts by TNC to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff here DC.

Get Involved

• Join fellow nature supporters at one of our three annual volunteer events:

   

  March – Atlantic White Cedar Planting at Nassawango Creek Preserve

  Join us to restore habitat at Nassawango Creek Preserve by planting Atlantic white cedar seedlings. This volunteer opportunity is in partnership with the National Aquarium Conservation Team (ACT!) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Nassawango Creek Preserve is located on Maryland's Eastern Shore, approximately 2.5 hours from Washington/Baltimore.
  

  April – Red Spruce Tree Planting at Cranesville Swamp Preserve

  Red spruce once covered thousands of acres in western Maryland. Join us as we replant several thousand locally-sourced red spruce seedlings to accelerate regeneration and restoration of forest cover. This volunteer opportunity takes place over two days; volunteers are welcome to join for one day or both. Cranesville Swamp Preserve is located in western Maryland approximately 3-4 hours from Washington/Baltimore.
  

  November – Holiday Card Addressing Event 

  Join fellow Conservancy supporters over a cup of tea or coffee as we work to hand-address nearly 500 holiday card envelopes in preparation for the season! The event is hosted each year in the DC metro area.