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Conservation science is vital to the protection of the environment in the communities that we call home. In Maryland, where 16 out of our 23 counties border the Chesapeake and its tributaries, conservation science plays a necessary role in the health and safety of all living things in the region.
Understanding the importance of conservation scientists in Maryland alone will help you understand the good these experts do for the larger world. By exploring conservation efforts in the area, how they benefit Maryland, and the impact of environmental care in our daily lives, you’ll begin to recognize the value of a career in conservation science.
What Conservation Scientists Do
First, let’s explore exactly what it is conservation scientists do.
From advising farmers on agricultural matters to maintaining the land’s natural resources, conservation scientists add exceptional levels of value to any community. These trained experts are not only well-versed in biology and sustainability science but communication and organization techniques as well. As a result, they effectively manage the public’s relationship with an area so that long-term environmental damage is not sustained.
The Chesapeake Bay, for example, represents 64,000 square miles of vital watershed. As the largest estuary In the US, the impact of sediment flow and wildlife migration of this bay plays an essential role in a much larger ecosystem. The natural functioning of this environment, uninhibited by human development, is integral to the sustainability of Maryland as a safe and healthy place to live.
Conservation scientists help to ensure sustainable interactions with vital environmental systems such as the Chesapeake Bay. Without their help, it would be all but impossible to gauge just what business decisions or recreational activities could harm the larger environment and cause terrible consequences for the humans and animals that will live in the area for lifetimes to come.
By monitoring erosion, pollution, soil levels, wildlife movement, and so much more, conservation scientists are instrumental in our understanding of and cohabitation with nature. In Maryland, their assistance has already offered innumerable benefits.
How Conservation Benefits Maryland
The range of good that conservation scientists can do is virtually boundless. From consulting with personal landowners to make the most of the way they managed land and livestock for sustainable success to conserving and restoring public lands for use and enjoyment, these experts bring value and sustainability to Maryland all the time.
Conservation scientists have already worked with and created nonprofits and community resources designed entirely around preserving the ecological functions of the Maryland area. These organizations work to save wildlife, track the bee population, and preserve the quality of our waters so that Maryland can thrive. Here are some examples of the ways conservation science is benefiting the Maryland community:
Saving Bats and Birds
Lights Out Baltimore is a nonprofit project created by the Baltimore Bird Club that is also an example of conservation science at play. Because birds navigate by the light of the moon and stars, city lights can harm the ability of wildlife to live and migrate the way it needs.
Understanding this, Lights Out Baltimore volunteers work to turn off all decorative lighting in Baltimore during migration season. At the same time, these dedicated environmental helpers collect birds and bats that have collided with buildings and safely transport them to either the Phoenix Wildlife Center or the Smithsonian, where researchers from John Hopkins University School of Medicine conduct life-saving research with the help of creatures that have died.
All these efforts would be in vain without the help of the conservation scientists that study wildlife migration and the ways we can support these ecological cycles.
Tracking and Saving Bumble Bees
Conservation scientists have also created the collaborative project Bumble Bee Watch, which allows community members of all ages and abilities to photograph, track, and help conserve the essential bee population. These creatures are vital in protecting nature during gardening season and ensuring that Maryland citizens have the food and flowers they live.
Through something as simple as a community database for cataloging and identifying bumblebees in your area, you can help conservation scientists understand and support our sweet and fuzzy friends.
Wading and Water Sampling
Water quality is essential for the health and safety of any community. Drinking poor quality water can lead to all kinds of health issues, including bacterial infections from e. coli and giardia. At the same time, other pollutants can impact natural wildlife, causing death, disease, and an off-balance ecosystem that perpetuates problems.
That’s why Stream Waders are an important part of the community. These volunteers assist Maryland’s conservation scientists in collecting samples from our waters, deltas, and tributaries for lab analysis. Scientists can then study the water quality from the samples of macroinvertebrates to ascertain how our watersheds can be more effectively managed.
With the proper insight into water quality and care, we can avoid all kinds of health issues that are devastating for both humans and animals.
The Impact of Expertise on the Environment
A little expertise can go a long way. Conservation scientists in Maryland work to preserve the quality of the land and the water so that citizens of this great state can live, work, and play here for generations and generations to come. By providing insights to farmers and reaching out to the community for help in ecosystem monitoring, these scientists play a vital role in building a more sustainable world.
Explore the ways you can help by volunteering, or consider a career in conservation science yourself to make a real impact in the Maryland area or the larger world.
Bio: Indiana Lee lives in the Pacific Northwest and has a passion for the environment and wellness. She draws her inspiration from nature and makes sure to explore the outdoors regularly with her family and two dogs. Indiana also has experience in owning and operating her own business. Feel free to follow her on Twitter @indianalee3.