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Current wildlife and natural resource protection areas are small reminders of the vast wealth of resources that have
drawn Native Americans and Europeans to this region for thousands of years. Rivers are prime habitat for many animals. Forests line the open fields. The bay, following a dark period of pollution
and degradation, is beginning to rebound. Agricultural uses that dominate the landscapes of the Upper Eastern Shore are largely complementary to the regionās remaining natural areas. Culture and environment
are indelibly linked on the Upper Eastern Shore, and thus, one cannot be discussed without mentioning the other.
Throughout most of the recent history of the region, agriculture has been the primary way in which people have engaged
the land. In the past few decades, people have started to use the land and water for recreation. Hiking, camping, bicycling, sightseeing, touring, and birding are common in and between the protected
areas. Public landings give access to the water. Plus, every coast is lined with homes of people seeking to enjoy the scenic beauty of the region.
The term natural resources connotes a variety of uses and levels of protection: resource areas protected by
public ownership or easements, unprotected areas with high concentrations of animal and plant habitats, or recreational areas with public access. Generally, there is no geographic concentration for any of
these sites. Of the protected areas, Eastern Neck Island is located in the far northwest, Millington, the far northeast, Idylwild, the southeast, Black Walnut Point, the extreme southwest, and Wye Island, the
center. Unprotected but important areas like the Chester River, Eastern Bay, and Tuckahoe Creek are also fairly evenly distributed across the region. Recreational sites such as boat landings and public
parks are located near population centers, but sites like the Choptank Fishing Pier are not near anything else.
When looking at the acreage of lands protected by regulations or by easement and the types of resources, the
distribution becomes more distinct. Kent County and Caroline County have the largest areas protected by regulations, and Caroline has the most acreage protected under easements and other private restrictions.
Talbot County has more public landings than any other county.
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