According to the Wicomico Environmental Trust, a publicly owned local forest is in danger of being clear cut to make way for the dumping of dredge spoils from the Wicomico River. Citizens of Wicomico County need to make their voices heard in opposition to this action.

The forest is part of a 350-acre
parcel purchased by the county using state funds from Program Open
Space. The forest contains numerous species typical in our native mixed
forests: pine, yes, but also oak, dogwood, beech, holly, sweet gum,
magnolia, and many other plant species, and deer, woodpeckers,
raccoons, turtles, voles, skunks, and hawks. This forest should be left
alone for the benefit of humans and other living things. It is absorbing
carbon, producing oxygen, and filtering rainwater into the aquifer.

But right now a bulldozer sits in this forest. It is there because
Wicomico County and the Army Corps of Engineers are testing this
site as a place to dump mud from the next phase of a Corps project
dredging the Wicomico River. The bulldozer is there to clear a path for
the core driller, and the core driller is there to check the soil and the
aquifer level before clear-cutting the forest to create a dump site for the
dredge spoils begins.

WET encourages all concerned citizens to contact officials of Wicomico County to express their opposition to the clear cutting of this forest.

John Redden, Acting Director of Public Works, 410-548-4810
Gary Mackes, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, 410-548-4900, ext. 106
Jim Grindle, Public Works civil engineer, 410-548-4810

If you are not satisfied with what they tell you, you can call your county
council member or Rick Pollitt, the County Executive (410-548-4800).

Tell them to build the dredge spoils dump facility on a field instead of
cutting the forest.

I read a new word today. I guess it is actually a brand name, but it is probably a word that will soon find its way into our language to describe an event that is more than an expedition. That word is Maxpedition. Maxpedition Gear is hard-use nylon gear that can be used for everyday tasks, but the equipment is designed to be used by military, police, and outdoor professionals around the world whose work requires reliable and durable gear. From extreme sportsman to digital graphics artists, people who appreciate well crafted carry gear will find the best quality and design in Maxpedition Gear. Maxpedition has come up with some unique names to describe their products like the Operator Attache, the DoppelDuffel Adventure Bag, and the RollyPoly Pouch. There is also the Fatboy Versipack, the Monsoon Gearslinger, and the Pygmy Falcon Backpack. All of those colorful names remind me of the J. Peterman catalog from the Seinfeld TV show. J. Peterman is actually a real company with a real catalog and online store. J. Peterman’s mission is to bring people the world. I think Maxpedition Gear’s mission is to help people experience the world. Check out a full line of Maxpedition Gear products at SierraAdventureGear.com.

If you are looking for a gift idea this year and a coffee table book will fit the bill, then check out a new release titled Wild Delaware. The book contains photographs taken by Kevin Fleming that capture “the beauty of Delaware’s wildlife and wild places.” According to the Wild Delaware site, over half of the 1,000 signed and number books are already reserved. Check out a preview of some of the pages on the Wild Delaware web site.

The 38th Annual Waterfowl Festival will take place in Easton, MD, this weekend, rain or shine. The festival touts itself as the ultimate weekend for the sportsman or art lover. Events will take place at twelve different venues around Easton on Nov. 14, 15 and 16, 2008. From world championship calling contests to wine tasting, there is something for everyone.

I ran across this video on YouTube. It is a short film promoting Wicomico County as the enchanting hub of the Delmarva Peninsula, which offers a unique blend of history, recreation, relaxation and fascination.

A partnership between several Maryland tourism and natural resource groups has resulted in a new web site called Wilds of Worcester. WoW offers information on outdoor activities including kayaking, birding and exploration away from the usual beach scene in Ocean City. Visitors can also find information on camping, hiking, boating and biking. Check out the Wilds of Worcester and add some adventure to your next visit to Worcester County, MD.

Hunting season is upon us, and if your are in the market for Nikon binoculars, you can take advantage of a special offer on Nikon Pro Gear. Nikon is giving away free gift cards from $25-$50 with a qualifying purchase of Nikon ATB binoculars like the Monarch, Team Realtree, Dream Season, Action Extreme, Trailblazer, and ProStaff. Nikon’s All Terrain Binocular line offers rugged construction, quality optics and great value. Nikon Pro Gear also offers high performance outdoor gear and optics accessories. The Nikon ATB Promotion is valid through December 31st, 2008. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get some free gear with your binocular purchase. Details are available at NikonProGear.com.

TOWNSEND, Del. – Autumn’s vibrant foliage, the pristine waters and lush landscape of Blackbird Creek Reserve will be showcased 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Blackbird Creek Fall Festival. The festival is being held at the Blackbird Creek Reserve – located at 801 Blackbird Landing Road near Townsend – one of the most beautiful and ecologically valuable areas in Delaware.

The 21st Annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival will be taking place at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels from June 13-15. The event is hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, and awards for the best boats will be given at a picnic on Sunday. The festival includes over 100 boats on display from 11 feet to 76 feet long. There will also be a flea market, craft booths and kids’ activities. Check out the museum web site for a schedule of events.

Now that summer is finally here, everyone will be spending a lot more time outdoors. If your time outdoors includes stargazing, birdwatching, or hunting, OpticsPlanet offers you all of the best ways to see the planet. The world’s premier retailer of optical products offers a full line of binoculars for birding, and the web site also includes a buyer’s guide to help you decide on the right choice for your needs. If warm nights find you outside gazing at the sky, then a telescope might be just the thing you need to get a close up of the moon or to see the rings around Saturn. For hunters, OpticsPlanet offers scopes from all of the major manufacturers with product reviews to help you make your choice. OpticsPlanet can even take care of your everyday needs for eyeglasses, as well as prescription sunglasses and goggles. With a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and free shipping, OpticsPlanet is the place to shop for everything you need to see the planet.

Law enforcement, military and firefighting personnel can shop for 5.11 Tactical gear online with 511tacticaloutdoors.com. 5.11 Tactical offers products that enhance safety, increase speed and accuracy, and provide peak performance for tactical professionals. 5.11 Tactical offers the latest innovations without sacrificing durability or quality. Check out the best value and selection of 5.11 Tactical clothing and gear and receive free shipping on orders of $50 or more.

The First Annual Soft Shell Half Century hosted by the Salisbury Jaycees will take place on Saturday, May 24th, starting in Crisfield, MD. Cyclists will have a choice of 20 and 50 mile courses starting from Crisfield High School and traveling through various scenic and historic areas of lower Somerset County. A registration fee of $35 includes a t-shirt and rider packet. Event registration is available at Active.com or with a printable form.

Also on May 24th, the Shorebird Metric Century will take riders on 15, 35 or 65 routes starting from Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Hobbs Road in Salisbury. The event benefits the American Cancer Society, and the $45 registration fee includes a t-shirt, two fully stocked rest stops, and a free lunch at Perdue Stadium following the ride. Registration is available on Active.com or with a printable form.

On Saturday, May 31st, Pedal Delmarva will host their latest event starting from Berlin, MD. A registration fee of $35 includes the rider’s choice of a dozen different routes along with energy drinks, healthy snacks and a cookout following the ride.

The Lower Shore Family YMCA will host the 6th Annual Pocomoke Triathlon on Saturday, May 31st. The triathlon will include a 1/2 mile swim, 14.3 mile bike ride, and 3.5 mile run.

The Bike MS: Tour de Shore is scheduled for June 7th and 8th starting from Salisbury University. Participants have the option of staying in SU dorms with all meals provided. Routes from 30 to 150 miles offer riders of all abilities the opportunity to tour the flat roads of the Eastern Shore.

As the weather has gotten warmer, we have been spending more time outdoors. We have a hammock and a set of wrought iron furniture on our deck that allow us all to have a place to relax. Unfortunately, the metal furniture is starting to show its age with some rust spots and broken caps on the feet of the chairs. The set that we have is the typical green painted metal that really doesn’t have much character or style. I really appreciate well made solid wood furniture, and I think it would be nice to replace our old clunkers with some really nice wooden outdoor furniture.

I have always admired a teak bench that sits on a front porch that we visit often. Teak is a hardwood with natural oils that make it a good choice for outdoor use. Teak is often used for trim on some of the nicer boats you might see at the dock. The wood will prove durable in its natural state or when finished with oil or varnish.

While browsing the web for some choices in teak outdoor furniture, I ran across BeFurnished.com, which displays some very stylish teak outdoor furniture made from the highest quality components. The selection at BeFurnished includes a variety of choices including some really nice teak chairs. I think that adirondack chairs are some of the most comfortable to lounge in on warm summer day, and they really fit in with our coastal style. Maybe we could add a teak bench to our front porch as well. It will be easy to make a wish list of teak furniture for our outdoor spaces at BeFurnished.com.