Can’t afford to buy your own island? Could you build one instead? It’s not impossible if you’re part of the Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration Project, located on Poplar Island.
Poplar Island slipped away into the Chesapeake Bay, dwindling from 2,000 to two acres throughout hundreds of years. This island’s fate was commonplace with records showing 500 Chesapeake Bay islands lost before the end of the 20th century. With erosion, sea level rise, and land subsidence, these islands were doomed to become a sand shoal, leading to the dramatic loss of wildlife habitat.
How do you build an island? Join us on a three-hour boat and bus tour through the restoration project with Maryland Environmental Service. The project began in 1998 to rebuild and restore wildlife habitat using clean sediment dredged from the Port of Baltimore’s approach shipping channels. Now more than 1,140 acres of island habitat have been created, with an additional 570 acres planned for construction.
Our tour will include viewing some of the 300 acres of wetland habitat that have been completed, providing homes for a wide variety of birds, plus important nesting areas for colonial waterbirds, such as terns and egrets, and waterfowl, such as American Black Duck. A thriving Diamondback Terrapin population lives on the island with as many as 1,600 terrapins hatched onsite in a single year.
Poplar Island tours leave from Tilghman Island land base dock and consist of a 30-minute boat ride to the island, a two-hour bus tour with stops at points of interest, and a 30-minute boat ride back.
Please note these important details for touring Poplar Island.
- This is an active construction site. All guests are expected to be respectful to the site and other participants; unruly behavior will not be tolerated.
- Poplar Island is open to the public through prior arrangements only.
- All posted signs and verbal notices must be obeyed.
- Alcohol and controlled substances are prohibited.
- Pets are prohibited.
- The group must stay together at all times.
- Closed-toed shoes with appropriate soles such as sneakers or hiking shoes/boots are required. Failure to wear closed-toed shoes will result in getting turned away at the dock.
- High visibility vests (provided) must be worn at all times while onsite and outside vehicles.
- Participants will not be allowed off the bus in areas designated as active construction zones.
- All participants are required to wear a life jacket while on the boat (provided). Visitors under 50 lbs. must provide their own life jackets.
- Tours run rain or shine; however, the tour may be canceled in the event of severe weather. Please note that the island weather can be more severe than on the mainland, is unpredictable, and can change quickly. If the Poplar Island staff feels it is unsafe, cancellations can occur on the same day as the tour.
- Participants must be prepared to board a boat and climb a few steps; however, the amount of walking is minimal.
- The boat will depart promptly at 9 am. Please make sure to arrive no later than 8:45 am. Leave time to gather your belongings and use the restroom, if needed.
- The tour does not include a designated lunch break but feel free to bring snacks.
- The topics covered may be advanced for younger visitors. The minimum age for attendance is 12 years old.
- Binoculars and cameras are encouraged.
While this trip is offered free of charge through Maryland Environmental Service, a minimum of $10 per person donation is suggested to attend. Your donation helps to offset our costs in offering this program to you. No refunds will be available for cancellations. Reservations may be transferred to a friend.
If you have questions about this trip, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.