A FIELD OF DREAMS: GRASSLAND RESTORATION IN MARYLAND ATTRACTS 261 BIRD SPECIES 
Hosted by the Anne Arundel Bird Club
Ever wondered about the decline of grasslands and how negatively this has affected many species of birds like Grasshopper Sparrow, Dickcissels, and Bobwhites? Come hear and see an expert on grassland restoration explain about about grasslands and birds.  

WHEN?  Friday, December 7, 2007, at 8:00 p.m.. 
WHAT?  A FIELD OF DREAMS: GRASSLAND RESTORATION IN MARYLAND  by Dr. Douglas E. Gill.  
WHERE?  At Arlington Echo Environmental Education Center, Crownsville, MD.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Dr. Doug Gill will speak on restoring grasslands in Maryland to bring back bird species.  Many grassland bird species have radically declined and Doug has been involved with a long-term experiment in restoring mid-Atlantic Coastal Grasslands on the Eastern Shore.  Since 1999, Doug has worked with the Chester River Field Research Center (CRFRC) in  Chestertown, MD to determine the basic ecological processes by which grassland wildlife habitats can be restored after a history of severe degradation and heavy human-impact.  He documents the steady increases in plant richness giving rise to a current 261 bird species.  The restoration of the 228 acres of native Eastern Shore grasslands benefits many Birds of Conservation Concern such as Grasshopper Sparrow, Dickcissels, and Bobwhites. In this presentation Dr. Gill discusses conservation priorities and highlights the results of studies on the vegetation, birds, and management decisions on the restored CRFRC grasslands. Dr. Gill is a Prof
essor in the Department of Biology at the University of Maryland where he has taught and conducted research for 31 years.

Sue Ricciardi
for AABC Program Chair Gerald Winegrad