Salisbury in Wicomico County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Welcome
Photographed By Nate Davidson, July 25, 2014
1. Welcome Marker
Inscription.
Welcome to the Ward Museum of Waterfowl Art Norman Glenn Nature Trail. The trail runs along the western side of Schumaker Pond, one of the five headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay. Along the pond you can fish, bird watch, picnic and more. It also offers a source of fresh water to the Bay watershed, a home for many freshwater species of plants and animal and a way station for many transient waterfowl species. We invite you to enjoy the trail and learn about our pond.
The watershed of the Chesapeake Bay has been dramatically altered by man over the past 400 years. The native hardwood forests were all cleared for timber and for farmland. The extensive wetlands were drained, dammed, or filled in to better fit the perceived needs of the people settling the land. Old species of plants and animals were greatly minimized or eliminated. New plants were introduced and invasive plants were given new opportunities to thrive. But the Bay's watershed is resilient and if given the chance it has a remarkable capacity to try to regenerate itself.
The Ward Museum was completed in 1991. At that time the entire water's edge of Schumaker's Pond was without plants. The grass lawn extended down to the beach. No plants have been planted along this nature trail. They have all "volunteered" to grow here. They are reclaiming the habitat that is theirs. There are over 50 types of plants along our trail today, most of which are native to this area.
Welcome to the Ward Museum of Waterfowl Art Norman Glenn Nature Trail. The trail runs along the western side of Schumaker Pond, one of the five headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay. Along the pond you can fish, bird watch, picnic and more. It also offers a source of fresh water to the Bay watershed, a home for many freshwater species of plants and animal and a way station for many transient waterfowl species. We invite you to enjoy the trail and learn about our pond.
The watershed of the Chesapeake Bay has been dramatically altered by man over the past 400 years. The native hardwood forests were all cleared for timber and for farmland. The extensive wetlands were drained, dammed, or filled in to better fit the perceived needs of the people settling the land. Old species of plants and animals were greatly minimized or eliminated. New plants were introduced and invasive plants were given new opportunities to thrive. But the Bay's watershed is resilient and if given the chance it has a remarkable capacity to try to regenerate itself.
The Ward Museum was completed in 1991. At that time the entire water's edge of Schumaker's Pond was without plants. The grass lawn extended down to the beach. No plants have been planted along this nature trail. They have all "volunteered" to grow here. They are reclaiming the habitat that is theirs.
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There are over 50 types of plants along our trail today, most of which are native to this area.
Erected by Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment.
Location. 38° 21.1′ N, 75° 34.317′ W. Marker is in Salisbury, Maryland, in Wicomico County. Marker can be reached from S. Schumaker Drive. Nature trail, Ward Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Salisbury MD 21804, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wooded Wetland (within shouting distance of this marker); Waterside (within shouting distance of this marker); Open Pond (within shouting distance of this marker); Wetland Marsh (within shouting distance of this marker); Beach and Birds (within shouting distance of this marker); Non Native Plants (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wildfowl Blind (about 300 feet away); Dry Thickets (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salisbury.
Photographed By Nate Davidson, July 25, 2014
2. Welcome Marker at trail beginning
Photographed By Nate Davidson, July 25, 2014
3. Ward Museum of Waterfowl Art
Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2014, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 273 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 27, 2014, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.