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In This Issue
- Network Updates
- In Case You Missed It
- Upcoming Meetings
- Trainings, Workshops, & Conferences
- Recommended Reads
- Jobs & Internships
- About the DRCN
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Register for Delmarva Film Series: Part 2 | |
Join Lower Shore Land Trust, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other Delmarva Restoration and Conservation Network partners for a series of film screenings around the lower shore, highlighting environmental change in the Delmarva Region.
Screening 1 of 3, "Salted Earth," took place in April at Salisbury University. The second film in the series "Delmarva and the Ground for Change" will take place at the Marva Theater in Pocomoke City, July 25th and feature a "listen and learn" with local farmers. The third (and final) film in the series "Water's Way: Thinking Like a Watershed" will take place August 22nd at Pemberton Historical Park, featuring a question and answer panel with the film's writer Tom Horton and project highlights from Shore Rivers!
Register for July Screening (Delmarva and the Ground for Change)
Register for August Screening (Water's Way: Thinking Like a Watershed)
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From Public Sector to Private Success: The Journey of Steelman Coastal Consulting
Jessica Steelman, Founder/Community Resilience Specialist – Steelman Coastal Consulting
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Transitioning from a bustling public sector role to the helm of my own consulting business has been a rollercoaster of excitement, growth, and discovery. As the founder of Steelman Coastal Consulting, I’m thrilled to share the journey that transformed a coastal planner into a community resilience specialist with a passion for innovative, sustainable solutions.
After years of navigating the intricate waters of regional government, managing projects from dredging to ecotourism, I realized it was time to set sail on my own adventure. Inspired by the resilient pelican, a symbol of wisdom and renewal, I launched Steelman Coastal Consulting with a mission to help communities not just survive but thrive amidst environmental changes and challenges.
Steelman Coastal Consulting may be in its early days, but our vision is clear and bold. We focus on empowering communities to adapt to and recover from natural hazards, all while preserving their unique environmental and cultural landscapes. Whether it’s through crafting comprehensive resilience plans or securing vital grant funding, we’re here to support and guide our clients every step of the way.
My background in psychology has provided a strong foundation in communication, conflict resolution, and goal-oriented time management—skills that are crucial in both public service and private enterprise. My tenure as a Coastal Planner for the Eastern Shore of Virginia equipped me with hands-on experience in managing local, state, and federal projects, from enhancing marsh habitats to championing climate equity.
What sets Steelman Coastal Consulting apart is our quirky, high-energy approach to problem-solving. We love thinking outside the box, challenging the status quo, and collaborating with experts across various fields to develop the most comprehensive and innovative solutions. Our goal is to stay ahead of the curve, continuously learning and adapting to new challenges.
As we continue to grow, I invite you to join us on this exciting journey. Let’s work together to build resilient, thriving communities ready to face whatever the future holds. At Steelman Coastal Consulting, we’re not just about preparing for tomorrow—we’re about making sure it’s a better, brighter, and more resilient place for everyone.
Contact Us
Jessica Steelman, Owner & Community Resilience Specialist
Email: jessica@steelmancoastal.com
Website: www.steelmancoastal.com
Read Brochure
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Chesapeake Bay Agreement Public Comment Period Open |  | |
The Chesapeake Bay Agreement is due to be renewed at the end of 2025. At its 2022 annual meeting, the Chesapeake Executive Council charged its Principals' Staff Committee to review progress toward achieving the 10 goals and 31 outcomes of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and make recommendations for the future of the partnership. The Chesapeake Bay Program partnership formed a Steering Committee to review, discuss and determine recommendations for Management Board and Principals’ Staff Committee consideration. These recommendations are included in the draft "Beyond 2025 Report."
The recommendations within the draft "Beyond 2025 Report" will be available for public comment from July 1 to August 30, 2024. Feedback will be accepted via email to comments@chesapeakebay.net. A subset of the steering committee will review the feedback received and revise the recommendations as appropriate.
DRCN Members are encouraged to provide comments and share their insights on this influential report!
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Quail Field Day a Success - Hosted by Lower Shore Land Trust, NRCS, Tall Timbers, and the Natural Lands Project | |
At the end of June, Lower Shore Land Trust, NRCS, Tall Timbers, and the Natural Lands Project partnered to host a "Bob-white Quail Field Day." The event highlighted the valuable habitat restoration work done by neighboring landowners John Long and Tom Fisher, who have collaborated to manage over 500 acres of habitat, over the past 20 years. These two adjoining properties are prime examples of connectivity in action. The event included an outdoor demonstration to illustrate restoration practices at various stages of implementation.
Facebook Post
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Reserve Your Spot Today!
"Marshes for Tomorrow" Planning Workshop (MD Coastal Bays Focal Area)
July 17th, 2024 (10:00 am - 2:15 pm)
Paul S. Sarbanes Coastal Ecology Center
Contact Dave Curson (david.curson@audubon.org), Carly Toulan (ctoulan@mdcoastalbays.org), Sophia Seufert (sophia_seufert@fws.gov)
Steering Committee Meeting (virtual)
July 18, 2024 (2:00 - 3:00 pm)
For more information please contact Chair
Steve Kline skline@eslc.org
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Events, Workshops and Conferences | | |
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Canada Geese: Ecology, Population Trends, & Hunting
Tune in for the July installment of University of Maryland's "Land & Wildlife Speaker Series." Taking place Juy 17, this talk will feature Josh Homyack, Game Bird Section Leader, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Learn More
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Connecting the Dots to Resilience: A workshop for networking and skill-building for coordinators (August 14)
Coordinators perform a valuable role in the Chesapeake Bay: they make connections and maintain momentum towards achieving outcomes that require multiple perspectives. This workshop will help coastal resilience coordinators better understand and strengthen the mosaic of coastal climate groups working toward a healthy Chesapeake Bay & coast.
Learn More
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Singing the Blues: The Ecological and Economic Consequences of Invasive Catfish in Chesapeake Bay
Tune in for the August installment of University of Maryland's "Land & Wildlife Speaker Series." Taking place August 21, this talk will feature Allison Colden, Maryland Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Learn More
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Delmarva Film Series Part 3: “Water’s Way: Thinking Like a Watershed”
August 22, 2024 join The Delmarva Restoration and Conservation Network, Lower Shore Land Trust, and USFWS at Pemberton Historical Park for a free screening of “Water’s Way: Thinking Like a Watershed,” followed by a question and answer panel with the film's writer Tom Horton and project highlights from Shore Rivers.
Learn More
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ESLC Bird Conservation
Series 2024
Please join Eastern Shore Land Conservancy for our 2024 conservation-focused birding walks, part of the 3rd Annual Bird Conservation Series: a partnership with Lower Shore Land Trust. These events will discuss the organizations, programs, resources, research, and efforts that exist on the Eastern Shore that support the conservation of our resident and migratory bird species. Please join us as we tour the shore through the lens of bird conservation!
Learn More
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ESLC Party to Preserve
What could be better than joining together with Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and friends, old and new, on one of the most beautiful properties in Caroline County? Now is the time to prioritize local agriculture, outdoor recreation, and resilient communities. Join ESLC for an elegant evening of food, drinks, music and a live auction at Caroline County’s beautiful Daffin House on Saturday, October 12, 2024 @ 4:00 PM.
Register Here!
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RAE Coastal & Estuarine Summit
Join Restore America’s Estuaries for the 2024 Coastal & Estuarine Summit, the premier event for coastal restoration policymakers, practitioners, and managers in the United States. Taking place in Washington, D.C. in October 2024, our next Summit promises to be our largest yet, with an anticipated 1,400 attendees from around the country and abroad.
Register Here
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The Wildlife Society's 31st Annual Conference
Registration is now open for The Wildlife Society's 31st Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland
(Oct. 19-23). For over 30 years, TWS has hosted this unique and informative event that spotlights the latest advancements in wildlife management and research while providing abundant opportunities for networking and career advancement.
Register Here
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Cogongrass: An Invasive Menace to Familiarize Yourself
by: Kyle Magdziuk, Tall Timbers
"On this particular morning in the beginning of June, I was like a little kid on Christmas morning, excited to start counting whistling quail for the first time on a property that..."
Read Here
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This Month in the Marsh:
Sounds of the Marsh
Check out the most recent post on the DRCN Blog by Audubon Mid-Atlantic's Coastal Avian Biologist Bri Panos!
"The field season in the salt marshes of Maryland officially kicked off on May 22nd..."
Read Here
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CESR Report in Brief
The 2023 CESR Report provides insight from the Bay Program's Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) into the Bay Program and why progress toward meeting water quality goals has been slower than expected. This document, "CESR Report in Brief" condenses the larger report into a 12 page, highly visual format, for easier digestion by the reader.
Read Here
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About the Delmarva Restoration and Conservation Network (DRCN) | |
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The Delmarva Restoration and Conservation Network (DRCN), formed in 2017, is a collaborative of local, state, and Federal government agencies and NGOs working with private and public landowners and local governments to identify the most important places to protect and restore, and to obtain support and funding for voluntary restoration and conservation.
The DRCN Mission is to restore and conserve Delmarva’s landscapes, waterways, and shorelines that are special to its people, fundamental to its economy, and vital for its native fish, wildlife, and plants.
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Want to be featured in next month's newsletter?
Email submissions to delmarvarcn@gmail.com
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