Chance has been penning his local nature column in Harford County since 1972 and, for the first time, nearly 100 of those columns spanning more than 30 years have been reprinted and reorganized into this 180-page book.

“Earthline: A 30-Year Anthology” is a captivating journey through the collected field experiences of naturalist-author Chance, a man who has dedicated his life to preservation and appreciation of the natural world.  Whether he’s studying the outdoor terrain of Harford County, Maryland, marveling over creatures great and small, or exploring distant exotic lands, Chance presents his thoughts and observations with an informed, passionate voice that calls for ecological conservation through awareness, education, and understanding.

Autographed copies of the book, with postage pre-paid and one-of-a-kind nature inserts included, can be purchased HERE for just $25.  Chance is available for environmentally-themed appearances, nature talks and book signings accompanied by an assortment of snakes, turtles, fossils and Native American tools. (more…)

But as I sat there learning about osprey, I thought…what the heck else would I rather be doing?  This is 7 hours of talking about animals.  Better yet, local wildlife that I may have to deal with in the future.  At that very moment I fell in love with the whole day.

My ultimate goal is to have a wildlife rescue facility in about 2 years.  I would rather be building cages right now than typing this if I had the resources.  I walked out of that class ready to go.  And because I am HUGE on educating people about critters - so that maybe you will know what to do in their presence - I will now spout off some interesting facts I learned.  Prepare to be wowed.

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Ancient Hemlock Grove

Saturday, March 29, 2008

(Rain Date – Sunday, March 30, 2008) 

10am to 3pm  Cost: $30* 

This 3 mile hike to a remote grove of majestic, ancient Eastern Hemlocks off of Broad Creek in northern Harford County will awe and inspire you. These 75 to 150 foot tall trees are like the wise old kings of the county – bearing secrets of our land’s past. This ‘old growth’ forest is recognized as a natural heritage site and is a true county treasure. Be prepared to go back in time and bear witness to these woods of timeless timber. As always, pack a lunch and wear waterproof shoes, if possible. 

*Note: A 10% ‘Refer a Friend’ discount is being offered for past adventurers that bring a new friend, and a ‘Family Fun’ discount of $5/person is being offered for parent/child, sibling and husband/wife teams.  

Click here for a Registration Form or for more information, contact Ranger Bob at 410-457-4766 or chancetreefarm@aol.com

Bush was charged on Oct. 2, 2007, after the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) seized four taxidermal animals, two Delmarva fox squirrels, a Red-tailed Hawk and a Yellowleg Sandpiper from his residence.

Bush was found guilty on one count of possessing wild birds without a permit and was fined $1250. Bush received probation before judgment on the two counts of possessing endangered species of wildlife and other count of possessing wild birds without a permit and was fined $150 for each of those charges.

The Board of Public Works approved $671,000 for the initiative, of which $375,000 is from the Program Open Space State Share and the remaining $276,000 from the Program Open Space Local Share allocated to Harford County. The funds assist Harford County in acquiring 43.9 acres as an addition to the existing Eden Mill Nature Center and Park.

The property includes one-half mile of stream bank of Big Branch Creek, and more than 30 heavily wooded acres as well as flood plains and wetlands.   As a partner in this acquisition, the Harford Land Trust is contributing $64,000 to the purchase.

Commenting on the support received from the State of Maryland for this Program Open Space initiative, County Executive David R. Craig stated, “We are pleased the Board of Public Works supported us with this project to enhance the Eden Mill Nature Center and Park. The acquisition of this property will add to the beauty of Eden Mill,” Craig stated.

This is something that I have to do.  I thought I had found my niche in being a veterinarian’s technician.  Holding a Great Horned Owl as it is being force fed mice….to hear him hoot in your face…my passion, my need is to help local wildlife that is injured to return back.  You may think you appreciate hearing an owl at dusk ~ hold one in your hands and you will have a whole new perspective.

 So what,  you see squirrels everyday….feed one who’s eyes are still closed and be there the first day it opens them.  A raccoon is a raccoon is a raccoon right?  i have met 4 raccoons in my life so far, and every single one had the same curious attitudes, the same Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, but very different personalities.  Two wonderful and two very clever and mischievous ones.  Nothing in the world is better than being that close to nature.

Gerda was telling me about a vulture named Lloyd.  She said that Lloyd taught the volunteers that they are beautiful birds and are full of life for death seekers.  Lloyd was known to follow you until you tossed him a piece of food.  He would steal your cans of soda and drink them himself.  He left after he healed his aches, but returned for free meals every so often; occasionally freaking out the new volunteers who hadn’t meet him yet.  I imagine having a bird with a 6-8 foot wingspan land and follow you relentlessly could be quite scary.  Especially given the bad rap they have been given.  (more…)

ANNAPOLIS, MD - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently adopted regulations to clarify that captive-raised mallard ducks may not be released to the wild except under the authority of a permit from DNR.

“Considering concerns over health standards and proper husbandry, it is imperative that the DNR know the origin, as well as when and where captive-raised mallards are being released in Maryland,” said Paul A. Peditto, Director of DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service.

Captive-raised mallard ducks may be released only under the authority of a Regulated Shooting Area Permit, Retriever Training Permit, or a special Field Trial Permit. (more…)

I am not a cold weather person. If it is below 70 out, I need a sweater. But my drive and determination to earn the respect of Gerda and other volunteers at Wildlife Rescue out weighs frostbitten fingers and a runny nose. Having been there once before I knew what needed to be done and was more than ready to get moving.

The duck, goose, rabbit, pigeon and chicken area outside seems to be where I will start my days here. Frozen water hose and a trash bag in hand I pass the porcupine and wave as I enter the mini aviary/ rabbit house. (more…)

Interviewed anglers will be asked a series of questions describing the effort, catch and residence of their yellow perch fishing activity for the day. Anglers will also have to opportunity to voice their opinions and level of satisfaction with the current perch fishery. Interviews will be conducted in the Bush River, the Chester River, Mattawoman Creek and Wicomico River.

In addition to the interview survey, a yellow perch creel site has been established online. This survey, modeled after DNR’s striped bass and summer flounder online surveys is designed to provide yellow perch angler input throughout the entire Bay. Participating anglers will be asked basic questions regarding the day’s locations fished, effort and catch.

The information collected from both surveys will be utilized by the Department regarding future yellow perch management and regulatory decisions as well as the upcoming Yellow Perch Fisheries Management Plan. For more yellow perch information, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/articles/ypmgmnt.html.

“Continued progress in preserving our woodlands and working farms in Baltimore County remains critical to protecting and restoring our local streams and nationally treasured Chesapeake Bay,” said Governor Martin O’Malley.

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, the Board of Public Works approved the purchase of two conservation easements located in the Piney Run Watershed Rural Legacy Focus Area with $785,500 of Rural Legacy funds. The easements adjoin with a large block of 12,000+ acres of previously protected land. Protection of the properties from future development helps protect water quality of the Black Rock Run and Piney Run by permanently preserving stream riparian butters. The easements, totaling 117+ acres, will be held cooperatively by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Land Preservation Trust.

Since 1997, Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program has provided funding to preserve 57,915 acres vulnerable to sprawl development.