Jean Wortman of Easton has recently been hired as the Visitor Services Manager at Adkins Arboretum. Wortman has a breadth of experience in the public humanities, museum education, and non-profit management and capacity building. Throughout her career, she has supported cultural and educational nonprofits as an employee, volunteer, grantor, and/or board member, both locally on the Eastern Shore and throughout Maryland, as well as across the country.

“I’m thrilled to be here at Adkins Arboretum, to work at such a special place with this phenomenally talented team, and to utilize my skills and experience to further Adkins’ mission,” stated Wortman.

“My role as Visitor Services Manager is to make sure that each person who comes to Adkins Arboretum has an exceptional experience in nature, which, as our mission states, will hopefully inspire them to become environmental stewards,” she adds.

According to Wortman, Adkins is a model non-profit organization that consistently delivers innovative programming, connecting diverse audiences of life-long learners to the natural environment through the lenses of ecology, history, and art, while uplifting community and collaboration.

The Arboretum offers science-oriented nature programs, including garden and landscaping talks, birding opportunities, and biodiversity walks, to name a few. In the areas of fine and performing arts, the Arboretum offers botanical art classes, an annual juried art show, year-round rotating art exhibitions, nature journaling, and special events like Plein Air Adkins, Forest Music, and Rhythm & Roots. Humanities offerings include the Arboretum’s Rooted Wisdom Walks and three free digital guided walks from Beech Works, available for download on the Bloomberg Connects app.

“We want people to feel that this place is not just a place to visit, but more importantly, we want them to fall in love with this place – to become engaged, to find community, to feel connection and to gain awareness of their place in the this ecosystem of plants, animals – our unique natural environment here on the peninsula,” Wortman shares.

Wortman has a master’s degree in liberal arts from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and a master’s degree in museum studies from Cooperstown Graduate Program, SUNY College at Oneonta, New York. She completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania.

She has served on the boards of Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc., the Talbot County Free Library, Cooperstown Graduate Association, and the Lyric Foundation for Traditional Poetry.

“Jean brings an incredible breadth of knowledge and organizational skills, as well as pure enthusiasm for our work at Adkins Arboretum. I was truly impressed with Jean when I first met her as my Maryland Humanities Council grant administrator for our 2010 exploration of nature’s role in the Underground Railroad. I am delighted to have her join our team, with three significant planning projects coming up – Strategic Plan, Master Plan, and Development Plan, and the prospect of the addition of an independent art gallery, the timing could not be better,” states Ginna Tiernan, Executive Director of Adkins Arboretum.

From left, ShoreRivers’ Executive Committee for 2026 will consist of Frank Lewis, Treasurer; Marian Fry, Previous Chair; Gene Lopez, Vice Chair; Barbara Lamp, Chair; and Maura Bollinger, Secretary.

ShoreRivers is pleased to announce the addition of new member Steve Masterman to its Governing Board. As a grassroots nonprofit organization, the hard work and support of board members is imperative to the organization’s efforts for thriving rivers on the Eastern Shore.

A lifelong sailor on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, Steve Masterman brings to the board expertise in negotiation and property rights thanks to his career as a real estate consultant for large national and international companies. He is passionate about oyster restoration and has been a long-time ShoreRivers volunteer, supporter, and member of the Choptank Riverkeeper Committee. He currently lives on Broad Creek in St. Michaels with his wife, Pamela.

“I have found that ShoreRivers has a uniquely effective combination of science- based data and information, on-the-water presence’ and legislative savvy,” said Masterman. “I believe there are solutions to many of the challenges facing the Chesapeake Bay, and that this organization could play a key role in those solutions.”

In addition to welcoming its newest member, the board also recently elected its Executive Committee for 2026, which consists of Barbara Lamp, Chair; Gene Lopez, Vice Chair; Frank Lewis, Treasurer; Maura Bollinger, Secretary, and Marian Fry, Previous Chair.

ShoreRivers also celebrated two long-time board members whose terms end this year: Katie Wiacek and Jill Bible. The organization is incredibly grateful to each of them for their years of dedicated service and invaluable contributions.

ShoreRivers extends deep gratitude for the wise counsel, encouragement, and vision of these exceptional community members. See a full list of Board members at ShoreRivers.org/leadership.

ShoreRivers protects Maryland’s Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement. shorerivers.org

Suzy Moore of Easton has recently been hired as the Director of Advancement at Adkins Arboretum. Moore, who was previously the Artistic Director at the Avalon Foundation in Easton, has 23 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, including artistic direction, event production, and community engagement. She brings her passion for mission-driven work, fostering relationships, and creating inclusive experiences to a development and advancement-focused role at the Arboretum.

The Arboretum is no stranger to Moore, who would regularly walk her dog on the 400-acre site after a busy week of programming at the Avalon Theatre.

“I love all that nature is and just being outdoors – it’s how the introvert in me recharges,” states Moore.

“I like working with the people and being outdoors and advocating for the health that being outdoors brings you. We spent a lot of time outside as a family – taking road trips, hiking, and identifying birds. My mom was also an avid gardener, and I recently became a Master Gardener Intern with the University of Maryland Extension. It’s an important part of who I am,” she shares.

In her previous role at the Avalon Foundation, Moore was responsible for building community partnerships and sustaining long-term engagement. She helped to grow the organization into the largest arts nonprofit on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

“It was a lot of work, and it was a lot of fun. I was responsible for several things at the Avalon. I look forward to my new role and the luxury to focus on one thing – advancement and exploring what is important to our members and what the potential is for the Arboretum to become,” Moore adds.

“It’s a different role as it offers balance, to be able to think strategically, but also to walk in the South Meadow and enjoy the restorative and inspirational power that this place offers,” she reflects.

This past year, Adkins Arboretum offered 164 programs, which included everything from bird walks to art classes to health and wellness offerings.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to grow professionally and use the skills I have learned over the years and to bring the relationships that I built from a business in downtown Easton to a 400-acre wild place,” she shares. Moore is also excited to be a part of the Arboretum’s growing team and the new energy that comes with new employees.

“I am thrilled to have Suzy join our most remarkable team. She brings a thoughtful wisdom, exceptional generosity and kindness, and a lot of fun. The timing is perfect for her to join us as we move forward with our Master Plan and pursue funding to add a biophilic art gallery – connecting the gallery space to the natural environment here and making accessibility improvements to the Visitor’s Center,” comments Ginna Tiernan, Executive Director of Adkins Arboretum.

Moore arrives at an exciting time for the organization, which is seeking funding to begin a Master Plan and strategic planning process for the Arboretum’s sustainability moving forward. Plans include a new dedicated art gallery that will elevate the quality of the art on exhibit there, while allowing the current gallery space to be used exclusively for programming and events.

“We’re all looking for connection in the world. The Arboretum offers the space to do that, and I am excited to be here and advocate for something I love,” Moore concludes.

The Queen Anne’s County Master Gardeners are celebrating the continued success of their Native Plant Project, a community-centered initiative that demonstrates how local education and hands-on guidance can inspire meaningful environmental action. This fall alone, during Corsica River Day and Centreville Day, Master Gardeners collected 109 surveys and distributed 588 native plants to community members.

Over the past two years, volunteers have dedicated more than 300 hours to the project. Their efforts have generated an estimated $19,000 in savings for Queen Anne’s County, an extraordinary contribution that benefits both the environment and residents.

Participant feedback from this year underscores the program’s wide-reaching impact. Not only has it fostered ecological awareness, but it has also helped community members build confidence, conserve resources, and support biodiversity in their own backyards.

An impressive 98% of participants said the project helped them better understand how they are connected to the environment and how their daily actions can influence it. This newfound sense of connection is a powerful step toward long-term environmental stewardship.

Additionally, 87% of participants reported feeling more confident in their ability to care for their landscapes and plants. With accessible guidance, practical demonstrations, and hands-on learning, the project has helped demystify native plant gardening for people of all experience levels.

The program has also demonstrated clear economic and time-saving benefits. 94% of participants indicated that the project saved them both time and money, reflecting how native plants typically require fewer inputs and less long-term maintenance. The result: beautiful, resilient gardens that are easier and more affordable to sustain.

One of the most inspiring findings is the shift toward ecological gardening. 99% of participants said they intend to incorporate a variety of native plants that support beneficial insects. These small, individual choices collectively enhance pollinator habitats, increase biodiversity, and strengthen local ecosystems.

The ongoing impact of the Native Plant Project is unmistakable. When community members receive the right support and knowledge, they become powerful agents of environmental change. The program continues to grow not only healthier gardens, but also stronger community engagement and ecological resilience.

This project began as the vision of Master Gardener Wendy Hubbert, whose passion for native plants and tireless advocacy continue to inspire the program’s growth. Together with the more than 20 volunteers who support the project, their dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work have made a meaningful and lasting difference in our community.

For further information, please call or make reasonable accommodations to participate in any event, email the University of Maryland Extension Queen Anne’s County, Senior Agent Associate for Horticulture and Master Gardener Coordinator, Rachel J. Rhodes, at 410-758-0166 or [email protected] at least two weeks before the events or see us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/QueenAnnesCountyMasterGardeners

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class 

There may be no better phrase than “humble beginnings”  when reflecting on the inception of Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC). “Humble” comes  from the Latin “humus,” meaning “earth” or “ground,” which was the exact priority and concern of  the group of engaged community members who first founded ESLC in 1990. Now Maryland’s  largest private land trust, ESLC’s intention from Day One has been to urgently protect the Eastern  Shore’s open land and agricultural roots—the very soil, or humus, everything else on Delmarva (our  wildlife, communities, culture, history, and economy) depends upon.  

ESLC is celebrating its 35th anniversary of conserving, stewarding, and advocating for the unique  rural landscape of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Started by founders Rob Etgen, Dr. Russell  “Russ” Brinsfield, Dr. Peter Brown, Stuart Baldwin, Ed Nielsen, Howard Wood, and Joe Doherty,  and now led by President and CEO Steve Kline, the nonprofit has progressively doubled, tripled,  and quadrupled its impact, helping to conserve more than 67,000 acres of land in Cecil, Kent,  Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot, and Dorchester Counties. This work shows no signs of stopping,  with more than 7,500 acres of future conservation easements already in process. 

ESLC provides access to nature and outdoor recreation; protects migratory hubs, wildlife corridors,  and diverse habitats; safeguards farms, forests, and wetlands; and promotes the unique rural  landscape of the Eastern Shore. This work is accomplished through public parks and preserves,  advocacy, restoration, community education, partnerships, and the creation of more than 334  perpetual conservation easements, each monitored every year.  

In 2024, Maryland was the first state to successfully conserve 30 percent of its land by 2030.  Achieving this goal six years early was only made possible through the combined efforts of many  organizations, especially established land trusts like ESLC. “I’m proud to reflect on our work as  Eastern Shore Land Conservancy celebrates 35 years of steadfast conservation,” reflected ESLC  President & CEO Steve Kline. “As ESLC’s recent economic report revealed, the Delmarva  Peninsula’s natural resources generate a staggering $8.1 billion annually. Despite state budget cuts and increasing pressure on the landscape, ESLC continues to protect our natural resources with  innovative conservation, stewardship, and engaging community education.” 

ESLC appreciates the generous donors, board members, and staff whose support and tax-deductible  donations have sustained our mission over the last 35 years. To support our work into the future,  please visit www.eslc.org/ways-to-support to make an online donation or learn about giving through  event sponsorship, securities, bequests, and more. For any questions about giving, please contact  Director of Development Melissa Canoni at [email protected] or (914) 282-7313. To review  ESLC’s 2025 Annual Report, please visit: www.eslc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/FY25-Annual-Report-9.pdf

Established in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s mission is to conserve, steward, and  advocate for the unique rural landscape of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, forever a special place of  diverse and abundant natural resources and thriving rural communities.

Visitors and residents of the Eastern Shore of Maryland know this  region’s fall foliage is both uniquely vibrant and remarkably fleeting. Our bald cypresses guard the  wetlands with a blaze of fiery burnt orange just as white oaks and maple trees turn the color of  goldenrod, persimmon, and deep cabernet. Then just as the color begins to run out, our American  hollies and towering loblolly pines take a step forward in their persistent deep green. Luckily, this year’s  spectacle will last longer than usual—in more ways than one.  

The Eastern Shore’s beautiful woodlands are currently being captured by award-winning plein air artists  for Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) and Plein Air Easton’s upcoming 2026 Alumni  Invitational, “Forever the Forest.” This year’s competition, painted in the fall and set for exhibit during  the 2026 Plein Air Easton Festival, showcases Eastern Shore woodlands that ESLC has conserved  forever through perpetual conservation easements.  

ESLC has conserved more than 21,600 acres of forest since its founding in 1990. But the same amount  of forest acreage it took 35 years to protect is lost to other uses every year in the state of Maryland. Conservation of our existing forest is essential. “These woodlands provide clean air, clean water, and biodiversity,” commented ESLC President and CEO Steve Kline. “When managed responsibly, they also  provide our region with essential economic benefits.” 

Forestry is the fifth largest manufacturing industry in Maryland, supporting 18,000 jobs and a $2.5 billion  impact on our state economy. Wood from Maryland forests becomes lumber for homes. Our trees become furniture, paper, fuel for wood stoves, poles for fishermen’s pound nets, and even substrate for  mushroom farms and animal bedding for poultry and livestock. Sustainably managed forests are integral  to our landscape and fundamental to our history and culture.  

“Forever the Forest” paintings will be on display in July 2026 during the Avalon Foundation’s 22nd PAE  Festival, the largest and most prestigious juried plein air painting competition in the United States.  During the festival, ESLC and Plein Air Easton will host a free preview reception and award  ceremony—an excellent opportunity to get a first look at the artwork, meet the artists, and learn more  about ESLC’s conservation work. 

ESLC is grateful to the Avalon Foundation, and to all the photographers and painters who have devoted  time, energy, and talent to this next invitational. And we are especially grateful for the generous support  of Bruce Wiltse and Bill Davenport. 

To stay updated on this competition, event details, and ESLC’s forest conservation work, please  subscribe to ESLC’s biweekly newsletter at www.eslc.org/subscribe.  

Established in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s mission is to conserve, steward, and  advocate for the unique rural landscape of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, forever a special place of  diverse and abundant natural resources and thriving rural communities.