Barren Island (Maryland) facts for kids

Barren Island is a small piece of land in the Chesapeake Bay. It's located near Dorchester County, Maryland. Even though it's called "Barren Island," it's actually a very important place for nature. It's especially known as a nesting spot for mute swans. This island is not lived on by people.

Restoring Nature on Barren Island

A Big Project for a Small Island

Barren Island is part of the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It's also next to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. This small island became the focus of a huge effort. The goal was to bring its natural marsh environment back to life. This project aimed to help the island's plants and animals thrive again.

Teamwork Makes a Difference

Many groups worked together on this important project. The Friends of Blackwater Refuge teamed up with the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Other key partners included the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and NOAA. The FWS and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation also joined in. The Maryland Conservation Corps helped too.

How They Helped

Together, these groups and many volunteers worked hard. They planted over 302,000 native marsh grasses. A total of 927 volunteers gave about 7,700 hours of their time. This amazing effort helped to rebuild the marsh.

Checking on the Island's Progress

After the planting, staff from the National Aquarium and the Friends of Blackwater Refuge kept checking the island. They visited twice a year to see how well the restoration was working. They collected information about the land, plants, and fish.

Good News for the Marsh

The early checks showed great success! The new marsh grasses are helping to absorb wave energy. This means they protect the island from erosion. Sediment, which is like fine dirt, is also building up. This helps the marsh grow stronger.

Life Returns to the Island

The older parts of the marsh, planted in 2001, now have a very natural community. You can find tiny creatures living in the mud. Larger animals like crabs, shrimp, fish, and birds have also returned. The newer planted areas are also growing well. They are expected to become home to similar groups of animals soon. This project shows how people can help nature heal and thrive.