CBFO biologist Janet Norman shows Chinese delegation the South River Greenway project

Poplar Island project viewed by Chinese delegation

Chinese delegation at Poplar Island

CBFO biologists Rich Mason and Al Rizzo explain a wetland restoration project to delegation

Habitat restoration project viewed by deleagtion

On May 8-11, 2009 a delegation of Chinese natural resources officials visited the Chesapeake Bay Field Office to gain a better understanding of the wetland laws and policies, their use and inventory and monitoring. Under the U.S. - People's Republic of China (PRC) Protocol on Cooperation and Exchanges in the Field of Conservation of Nature, signed in 1986, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has an ongoing dialogue with wildlife officials in China, including exchanges of information and personnel for addressing wildlife management issues.

On Friday May 8, 2009 the Chinese delegation came to the Chesapeake Bay Field Office (CBFO) to learn about the Service's programs dealing with wetland regulation, restoration and protection. At CBFO, the delegation learned about the Coastal Program, the Nutria Eradication efforts, Clean Water Act, Stream Habitat Restoration, the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and strategic planning. There were also presentations from the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership and the Anne Arundel County and the Scenic Rivers Land Trust highlighting the importance of local governments and private organizations in wetland regulation, restoration and protection.

The next three days were spent in the field. On Saturday the delegation visited Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge where, hosted by Refuge Manager Suzanne Baird, they observed not only refuge operations and management but also the direct effects of sea level rise on wetlands. The Chinese delegation had many questions about management techniques, landownership, and issues around recreational use of the natural resources. Steve Kentrot from APHIS gave a demonstration and an overview of the Chesapeake Bay Nutria Eradication Program.

On Sunday, we headed to the South River Greenway project near Annapolis, Maryland. There the delegation met members of the Scenic Rivers Land Trust a private, non-profit organization chartered as a 501 (c) (3) corporation in 1988 for the purpose of protecting land through voluntary methods such as conservation easements and educating landholders on issues of conservation and stewardship. At the Greenway the delegation saw a very successful public-private partnership in action, conserving wetlands and their associated uplands.

Monday May 11, CBFO biologists took the delegation out to Poplar Island to show them a large-scale habitat restoration project using beneficial dredge material.  The delegation was extremely interested in the process, techniques and experiences in designing and implementing this multi-decade restoration and habitat management project. Finally, CBFO biologists from the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program showed the delegation a series of private lands wetland restoration projects.  The Chinese delegation was very interested in the mechanisms, funding process and landowner contribution when developing voluntary restoration projects.