South River Greenway BioBlitz

Satuday, September 18 (noon) - Sunday, September 19 (noon)

Together, the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks, South River Federation and Scenic Rivers Land Trust are co-hosting the second BioBlitz at the Bacon Ridge Natural Area in the South River

The BioBlitz occurs over a 24-hour period where scientists of various disciplines offer their expertise to gain a snapshot of the flora, fauna, and other taxa within the parkland.  In addition to an information gathering opportunity, the BioBlitz serves as an educational tool for volunteers, a promoter of scientific awareness, a networking opportunity for experts and staff, and a chance to have fun in the field.  There will be six 4-hour sampling periods--select the time frames most appropriate for your schedule and interest.

RSVP Karyn Molines kmolines@aacounty,org or 410-222-7317

Sunday, September 19
7:30 am: Sunday Registration
8 am – noon: Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Plants
Noon: BioBlitz Tally Rally

Pickerel Frog

BioBlitz Objectives

• Estimate Species Richness. Identify and catalog the diversity of flora and fauna in the different habitats, including native and non-native species.
  
• Foster Partnerships. Build upon the collective knowledge of the staff and its partners, regarding this natural area.
  
• Education. Add to our repertoire of knowledge in order to better educate the public regarding what lives and thrives within the South River Greenway.
  
• Park/Scientist/Volunteer Bridge Building. Offer the park staff, experts, and volunteers a chance to network, collaborate, and connect in their common environmental interests.

What is the South River Greenway?
The South River Greenway includes two of the largest forested tracts remaining in Anne Arundel County. One hundred miles of streams in four distinct watersheds (Bacon Ridge Branch, Broad Creek, North River, Tarnan’s Branch) flow through the Greenway into the South River. Land use includes farms, subdivisions extensive wetlands, and several thousand acres of undisturbed forests which provide vital protection to the South River, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. 

Why is the South River Greenway important?
Natural Resources

• Watershed protection for the South River and the Chesapeake Bay.
• Undeveloped forests covering over 6,000 acres including 2,400 acres of interior forests.
• Fifteen different wetland types covering 800 acres.
• Identified as an Important Bird Area by MD/DC Audubon. Eighteen species of Forest Interior Birds (including several species at risk) have been documented in the Greenway.
• A regionally important area for reptiles and birds according to the Gap Analysis Report – a report of biodiversity in the Mid Atlantic region.
• High priority forest block under significant development threat as identified by MD DNR’s Green Print Program and the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Resource Lands Assessment Report.
• Historical spawning area for yellow perch and river herring. 

• A Native American Burial ground is located near Bacon Ridge Branch.
• Colonial barges once plied up Bacon Ridge Branch several miles above Rt. 50 to load hogs for shipment to England; the remains of a colonial wharf are still visible.
• Crownsville Hospital opened in 1911 to serve African American patients needing psychiatric care.
• The 12-acre Hosptial Cemetery is the burial place for more than 1,800 patients identified only by numbers on their tombstones.

Due its location within an easy commute to major metropolitan areas, forested tracts in the Greenway are under intense development pressure. Seventy-five percent of the undeveloped forests have highly erodible soils, meaning small disturbances to the land result in large impacts to streams that transport sediment to the South River and eventually Chesapeake Bay. Despite the extensive forest buffers, 21 miles of streams are listed as in poor condition as a result of land use changes (roads and subdivisions).

The Greenway has great potential to be turned into a natural area park for citizens of the county and state. The Greenway is located in the center of Anne Arundel County, ten minutes from the state capital. A vast network of trails could be developed connecting Annapolis, Crownsville, Crofton, Gambrills, Millersville, Edgewater, Severna Park, the Navy Dairy Farm, and beyond - in fact much of the trail system exists.  Nearly 2,500 acres of this land is owned by local, state or city government. Many more acres are precluded from development due to Forest Conservation Act easements and building restrictions on wetlands and steep slopes. With key land acquisitions and or easements, the Greenway can be preserved.

• Anne Arundel County
• Biophilia Foundation
• Maryland/DC Audubon 
• Maryland Environmental Trust
• Scenic Rivers Land Trust
• South River Federation
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service   

Cinnabar Red Chanterelle

To receive updates about the project or to become involved, contact:

• Karyn Molines, Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation & Parks (410) 222-7317