Busy, busy times as these pictures demonstrate.
Click on the photo above to see a larger image. Please see the May Activity report for what has been a very productive late winter and spring. Our administrative backlog is growing not only as a result of these expanded field, research and educational activities but from a greater sense of urgency to document fully and communicate our “best practices” guidelines caused by a growing interest in our affairs.

We are also already moving logistically to prepare for the 2008 nest season by accelerating pole salvage, box assembly and site inspections. We truly appreciate these additional pressures because they are symptomatic that the Initiative is catching on.

Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer opportunities, especially for nest monitoring, are rising and becoming more diverse as the number and scope of our public lands site grow. With 40 public land sites defined for the 2008 nest season involving over 1,300 boxes, MWDI can and is developing nest monitoring programs and other outings to fit a myriad of desires ranging from the two box Muddy Branch Park program in Montgomery County and the two box Radcliffe Creek School project in Kent County to the 19 box Calvert Cliffs project or the one afternoon nest box tour at Chesapeake Farms and the 2 hour supervision of high school kids learning to use a hammer and drill for the first time.  Check out the MWDI Events Calendar for projects that may interest you.

MWDI Photo Contest Launched, Details on Website
The photo contest is now live. We need photos to support the “best practices” library and WD Certification program. Prizes have not been determined yet and don’t expect to send your kid to college or your parents to Hawaii if you win. We simply have not had time to determine all prizes, but we do have some nice miniature wood duck castings for honorable mention winners.

Box Kits
The May lumber order and box kit preparation has been fully subscribed by various public projects. 100 box kits for the 2008 season will be cut up May 21 for the Maryland Envirothon, the Izaak Walton League and the Jug Bay project. A larger order capability will be possible for the July cutting. Box assembly will be handled by 40 high schools, the Marriott Corporation, and NOAA office staff at different events – that’s a pretty diverse group!!

Certification Program Moving Forward
A steering committee meeting held May 3 between MWDI, USF&W representatives and MD DNR affirmed the scope and goals of the Inspection and Instructor Certification Program. MWDI’s marching orders are clear and we hope to finalize all document drafts, presentational materials and other details to offer the program in early 2008 so that final certification element, the field exam, s can be provided during the spring nest season.

As stated before, MWDI is nothing without our volunteers and we continue to salute them. Your confidence in our mission is most gratifying.

Sincerely,

Cliff Brown
Executive Director
Maryland Wood Duck Initiative