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July/August 2025 Newsletter
Collaboration That Benefits Marylanders of Every Generation
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Get the Scoop: Turner Station Welcomes MPA for Dredging Roadshow
On July 11, community members in the Turner Station neighborhood of southeastern Baltimore County had a chance to "Get the Scoop on Dredging" from the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) and their partners. Turner Station Conservation Teams welcomed more than 30 attendees eager to learn about how dredging works and what happens to the material once it is removed from the Port’s shipping channels.
The event featured hands-on exhibits, including a sediment testing lab led by EA Engineering, a Hart-Miller Island station that highlighted how dredged material is used to restore valuable habitat and Gahagan & Bryant Associates to explain how dredging is done in the Baltimore Harbor. A popular stop was the innovative reuse display, where participants could see and touch construction materials, such as lightweight aggregate and bricks made from dredged material.
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“We want people to see the science behind the work and have an opportunity to talk directly with the experts involved,” said MPA's Program Manager for Education and Stakeholder Engagement, Katrina Jones. “Events like this are about being transparent, building trust and developing relationships with communities. We want them to feel confident asking questions and know that they are part of the conversation.”
Residents asked questions about testing protocols, the impact on wildlife, and the duration of these projects. Many expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage face-to-face with project managers, scientists and engineers.
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For those interested in learning more, upcoming Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) meetings are open to the public. Visit maryland-dmmp.com for schedules, resources, and contact information.
Photo (above): Attendees had the opportunity to connect with the Port by signing up for the ECO Port Newsletter and a tour of a port facility.
Photo by Danielle Fisher/MPA
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Investing in Maryland’s Future: A Federal–State Partnership That Delivers
By the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Trevor Cyran, PE, PMP
The partnership between the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a model of state-federal collaboration in action—anchored in shared stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay and a long-term commitment to sustaining commerce, restoring ecosystems, and preparing for future challenges.
For decades, USACE and MPA have worked together to maintain the Port of Baltimore’s navigation channels, which are an essential artery for commerce on the East Coast and a linchpin of Maryland’s economic engine. Each year, USACE dredges nearly five million cubic yards of material to keep these channels safe and navigable, while MPA carefully manages the placement and reuse of dredged material through a combination of containment, restoration, and innovative reuse strategies designed to balance operational needs with long-term environmental and community benefits.
One of the most visible successes of this partnership is the Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration Project at Poplar Island (Poplar Island). With over 1,700 acres of habitat rebuilt using dredged material, Poplar Island is a national model for beneficial use—and a testament to what’s possible when infrastructure and ecosystems are viewed as interconnected priorities at both the state and federal level.
 Photo credit: Gahagan & Bryant Associates, Inc. (GBA)
The Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Ecosystem Restoration Project (Mid-Bay Project) marks our next major joint effort that is currently underway. The Mid-Bay Project is an ambitious, 30-year initiative that will restore over 2,100 acres of remote island habitat while providing vital dredged material placement capacity. USACE and MPA have worked to maintain strong Congressional relationships, leading to bipartisan support and authorization for USACE to invest an additional $71.9 million in the Mid-Bay Project in FY2025 to advance construction. Dredged material placement at the Mid-Bay Project is scheduled to begin in late 2026 or early 2027, with material from the Honga River placed at Barren Island. Inflow at James Island is expected to begin in early 2030.
These investments are delivering highly valuable and measurable benefits to Maryland. They protect jobs and commerce, restore wildlife habitat, buffer shorelines from erosion, and demonstrate how targeted federal funding can be leveraged to advance meaningful, long-term projects, even amid complex political and economic climates.
At its core, the USACE–MPA partnership is about collaborative problem-solving with lasting impact. Together, we’re keeping maritime commerce flowing, protecting the Bay’s natural resources, and helping to secure a stronger, more sustainable future for Marylanders and our nation.
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Port Partners Transplant More Than 30,000 Oysters in Baltimore Harbor
As highlighted in the January/February edition of ECO Port, members of the Baltimore Port Alliance (BPA), Vane Brothers, and Ports America Chesapeake (PAC), have been quietly making waves in oyster restoration. Since last fall, they’ve cared for spat, or juvenile oysters, in cages along the Patapsco River as part of a partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). In May, their efforts resulted in the successful transplant of those oysters, along with tens of thousands more, to a sanctuary reef near Fort Carroll.
This effort marked the first oyster gardening project under the BPA Environmental Committee’s pilot program. “We managed four cages, and I joke that it was the easiest pet I’ve ever owned,” said Vane Brothers Health, Safety, and Environmental Manager John Shkor. “You just pull up the cages, clean them off, dump the oysters into bushel baskets, and take a boat ride to transplant them. It really was that easy.”
Representatives from Vane Brothers and PAC joined CBF staff, the boat crew, and members of the media on the transplant trip. Of approximately 31,000 oysters transplanted that day, 4,400 came from Vane Brothers’ four cages and 5,500 from PAC.
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Both companies plan to expand their efforts next season and are encouraging other port partners to join the effort. Vane Brothers’ Norfolk location also supports oyster restoration through its long-standing collaboration with the Elizabeth River Project.
According to CBF, a single adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water each day, helping to improve water quality in places like Baltimore Harbor and support the overall health of the local ecosystem.
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Photo (above): Vane Brothers Health, Safety, and Environmental Manager John Shkor helps Chesapeake Bay Foundation staffers unload oyster cages outside Vane’s Baltimore headquarters in May.
Photo courtesy of Vane Brothers
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New Baltimore County iMPAct Report Released
MPA’s Office of Navigation, Innovation, and Stewardship recently released its second iMPAct Report highlighting benefits in Baltimore County. From thousands of jobs to robust local tax contributions, environmental restoration, and hands-on education, the showcases the Port of Baltimore as a powerful engine helping the county thrive.
Highlights:
Economic
- 6,548 Baltimore County residents are directly employed through Port activities, accounting for one-third of all Port jobs
- 33% of all Port-related activity takes place in Baltimore County
- Over 250 Baltimore County businesses use the Port of Baltimore
Environmental
At Baltimore County’s Hart-Miller Island, once heavily eroded, MPA and partners:
- Restored 300 acres of wetlands
- Planted 2,600+ native plants
- Opened the area as a state park with five miles of public trails
- Now, more than 37,700 visitors annually enjoy the island’s hiking, fishing, and wildlife, including sightings of over 300 bird species
Education
- In just one year, 734 Baltimore County students participated in hands-on learning programs, including raising hatchling terrapins from Poplar Island.
- Since fall 2023, more than 1,200 students have taken part in MPA-led field experiences that connect science, sustainability, and real-world impact
 Read the full report at maryland-dmmp.com. Also available is the Anne Arundel County iMPAct Report. Stay tuned for upcoming reports on Baltimore City, Talbot County, and Dorchester County.
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Port of Baltimore Tour Builds Connections and Awareness
The Baltimore Port Alliance (BPA) and Ports America Chesapeake recently welcomed 25 guests on its eleventh ‘Air Tour’ at the Seagirt Marine Terminal, offering a firsthand look at the Port of Baltimore in action. Guests learned about the Port’s significant investments in reducing diesel emissions through electrification of the cargo handling equipment from the massive new cranes to yard tractors.
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“People know the Port is there, but most have never seen what actually happens on site,” said BPA Environmental Committee Co-Chair Rupert Denney. “Standing on the terminal and seeing nearly 890 acres comprising the Dundalk and Seagirt marine terminals gives visitors a completely new perspective.” |
Photo (above): BPA’s eleventh Port tour on May 21, 2025
Photo by Colleen Doyle/Doyle Communications
“Additionally, a warehouse or distribution center within the Baltimore beltway handling imports and exports is just as much a part of the Port’s ecosystem as the ships and cranes,” Denney said. “We want people to see the full picture.”
The tours build understanding among nonprofit leaders, community groups, elected officials, and government representatives. Tour leaders share information about the Port’s educational programs and other environmental initiatives, such as the successful “Dollars for Drays” program, which helps replace older diesel-powered drayage trucks with newer, cleaner models to reduce harmful air emissions.
To learn more about opportunities for Port tours, contact Dan Spack at dspack@ecologixgroup.com.
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Board Game Makes Dredging Education Fun
Many meetings rely on PowerPoint slides, but thanks to a great idea from RK&K Environmental Planner Sari Rothrock and dedicated time and support from Port staff who were enthusiastic to try something new, a recent MPA Innovative Reuse Committee (IRC) meeting was more about fun and games. To explain the complexities of dredging and the Innovative Reuse/Beneficial Use (IR/BU) process, Rothrock teamed up with her colleague Colin Nyborg, a graphics specialist, to develop a custom board game featuring real-world scenarios and interactive gameplay.
The concept began when Rothrock sketched out a flowchart to understand the process better herself. The sketch reminded her of board game squares and sparked the idea to gamify the experience. Loosely inspired by The Game of Life, the final design used dice rolls, process checkpoints, and chance cards to reflect real-world project challenges.
“I pitched a few ideas, and this left-field suggestion, a board game, just stuck,” said Rothrock. “If I needed a visual way to understand the process, maybe others would too.”
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Attendees begin as dredging applicants and move through permitting and placement steps. Midway through, they switch roles and begin working to obtain dredged material to create an IR product or BU project. The game helped participants see the coordination, testing, and planning that goes into responsible dredging and dredged material reuse. |
With 29 participants, the activity sparked laughter, engagement, and insight. One person even asked to bring it home to share with family. The team is now exploring ways to use the game in future outreach.
Photo (above) by Sari Rothrock/RK&K
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Masonville Cove Named a Chesapeake Gateway
The National Park Service (NPS) has officially designated Masonville Cove, the nation’s first Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership, as a Chesapeake Gateway Site. The designation places it among a network of sites that help the public explore, learn about, and protect the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.
This 54-acre urban oasis in South Baltimore features restored wetlands, scenic nature trails, more than 200 bird species, including Baltimore’s first known nesting bald eagles, and the award-winning Captain Trash Wheel, which helps keep litter out of the Patapsco River. It also hosts a top-tier environmental education center that connects local students and families with science and nature.
Joining the Chesapeake Gateways Network brings Masonville Cove increased support, visibility, and new opportunities to engage people in the region’s natural and cultural heritage. The network includes parks, trails, museums, and historic sites across the watershed.
A recent study by the Morgan State University Patuxent Environmental & Aquatic Research Laboratory (PEARL) found that Masonville Cove holds an intrinsic value of $10 million to nearby residents. “The designation will further activate this valuable asset for our neighbors through resources and connections, and this is an exciting new chapter for Masonville Cove,” said MPA Environmental Analyst Rachael Gilde. “It is a testament to the power of partnerships and the dedicated collective efforts of our federal, state, and nonprofit workforces, for which the MPA expresses its deepest gratitude.”
To learn more about the Chesapeake Gateways Network, visit the National Park Service website.
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MPA Releases Mid-Year Report and New Spotlight Series Video
Keeping the public and Port stakeholders informed is a key goal of the MPA, which has released two new resources: the 2025 Mid-Year Report and a brief Spotlight on Innovation video, the next edition in the Spotlight Series.
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The Mid-Year Report provides a clear look at the progress being made towards implementing recommendations in the 2024 Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) Annual Report.Working closely with DMMP committees MPA continues to advance key initiatives—from expanding capacity at dredged material containment facilities to strengthening community engagement. The report highlights ongoing efforts to secure funding for projects like the Masonville Cove Connector, while helping to preserve the long-term integrity of the rolling 20-year DMMP plan. |
MPA has also released a new video in its Spotlight Series, titled Spotlight on Innovation. It explores the agency’s forward-thinking approach to the future of dredged material management by demonstrating its potential successful use in the development of a wide array of sustainable products, and the opportunities to leverage the resource value of dredged material.
Both the Mid-Year Report and Spotlight on Innovation video are available online and will be shared through meetings, email, and social media. |
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Youth Birding Week Inspires a New Generation of Naturalists
MPA recently hosted the fourth year of its successful Youth Birding Week, welcoming 32 participants across two week-long sessions. Designed for kids ages 8 to 16, the free program introduces young people to the world of birding through hands-on science, field trips, art, and outdoor exploration.
Young birders began each day at Masonville Cove and visited birding hotspots such as North Point State Park and sites within the MPA’s 2,800 acres of restored habitat, including Cox Creek and Poplar Island. Participants used binoculars, field guides, and citizen science tools, such as eBird, to document local bird species and learn about their habitats and conservation.
“For a lot of the kids, it’s their first opportunity to experience these things,” said Maryland Environmental Service Senior Environmental Specialist Emily Sperling. “Sometimes it’s their first time on a boat, or their first chance seeing science-based work outside a classroom. Those experiences show them that nature can be explored anywhere, whether you’re in the city, in a classroom, or out in the field. That type of hands-on learning really sticks with them.”
“I loved my experience, and it was one of the best camps I’ve ever had! It was really cool to learn about birds and be out in nature. Thank you!” said an enthusiastic participant.
 Photo: Youth Birding Week 2025 brought together 32 curious and enthusiastic young birders for field trips, hands-on science, integrating art and nature discovery.
Photo by Emily Sperling/MES
This year, Youth Birding Week expanded to two sessions. New participants attended from June 23 through 27, and returning participants joined from July 7 through 11. Returning students built on their knowledge from past years, while newcomers focused on birding basics. Each participant received a take-home toolkit, including binoculars and a birding field guide. MPA welcomed 18 new students this year, and a few of our returning students have attended all four years..
The program wrapped up with student presentations, a pizza party, and a live raptor visit from Owl Moon Raptor Center. Families can stay involved by attending the Youth Birding Bash on October 11 or joining local birding tours throughout the year.
For more information, please contact Emily Sperling at esperling@menv.com.
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These committee meetings are open to the public, some meetings may be virtual or in-person. Please visit maryland-dmmp.com for details and to access information for each meeting. For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
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September
Management Committee Meeting - September 17th at 10:00 AM
In-Person Event – For more information, visit https://maryland-dmmp.com/committees/.
World Trade Center
Stanton Room 401 E Pratt St. -20th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland, 21202
Urban Wildlife Conservation Day - September 20th at 9:00 AM
In-Person Event – For more information, visit https://maryland-dmmp.com/committees/.
Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center
1000 Frankfurst Ave, Baltimore, 21226
Rain Date: September 28 at 9:00
Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting - September 24rd at 5:30 PM
In-Person Event – For more information, visit https://maryland-dmmp.com/committees/.
TBD
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October
Cox Creek Open House - October 18th at 10:00 AM
In-Person Event – For more information, visit https://maryland-dmmp.com/committees/.
Cox Creek Operations and Maintenance Complex
1000 Kembo Rd., Baltimore, MD, 21226
Cox Creek Citizens Oversight Committee Meeting - October 22nd at 5:30 PM
In-Person Event – For more information, visit https://maryland-dmmp.com/committees/.
Cox Creek Operations and Maintenance Complex
1000 Kembo Rd., Baltimore, MD, 21226
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The ECOPort Newsletter is the Maryland Port Administration’s bi-monthly update of projects and programs that help the agency contribute to a thriving economy, environmental stewardship, and community partnerships. As always, we thank the many private sector businesses, government leaders, communities, and individual citizens who have helped make these achievements a reality. |
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Jonathan Daniels, Executive Director
Maryland Port Administration
The World Trade Center
401 East Pratt Street, Baltimore MD 21202
1-800-638-7519 / www.marylandports.com
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