Home / Environment / Island Reborn: 10 Years Later, A Chesapeake Success Story
Island Reborn: 10 Years Later, A Chesapeake Success Story
28 Sep
Summary
- Maryland restored Fishing Battery Island in 2013 with 60,000 native plants.
- The restored island largely retained its designed footprint after a decade.
- Native switchgrass thrives, and new trees have naturally established on the island.
In 2013, Maryland revitalized Fishing Battery Island in the northern Chesapeake Bay by strategically placing sediment around its remnants. This significant restoration project, undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, successfully established 12 acres of intertidal and upland habitat.
Massive planting efforts ensued, with 60,000 native plants introduced to create diverse elevation zones. Despite initial challenges including heavy foot traffic and goose grazing, additional plantings in autumn 2013 bolstered shoreline protection and managed access. This marked the extent of formal maintenance.
Ten years post-restoration, a decade as of 2023, a significant portion of the island's original footprint endures. While erosion impacted some areas, notably the northern and western shores, much of the structure remains. Surveys in 2023 indicated a slight elevation loss along the central spine, possibly due to natural settling.
Vegetation success is evident, with thriving switchgrass and the natural recruitment of trees like locust, oak, sycamore, and willow across the site. Although the planned marsh fringe along the inner shoreline did not materialize, the island continues to provide valuable habitat and recreational opportunities, while also safeguarding the nearby historic lighthouse from wave action.
