Delmarva bays are among Maryland’s most distinctive and least understood wetland systems, and once numbered in the thousands across the peninsula. A Caroline County property containing several of these natural bays and more than 200 acres of active farmland was acquired by The Nature Conservancy in 1978. When restoration efforts began in 2002, the site became a rare living laboratory: a natural bay, a rehabilitated bay, and a newly created wetland, all developing side‑by‑side.
For more than two decades, the Lamp Lab has documented how aquatic macroinvertebrate communities respond to these changing landscapes. In this talk, Dr. Bill Lamp will introduce the structure and ecological function of Delmarva Bays, trace the collaborative restoration process, and then dive into what 23 years of monitoring reveal about wetland succession. Using three major collection periods from 2005–2007, 2012, and 2025, he’ll compare how insect and other invertebrate assemblages shift across natural, restored, and created wetlands. Expect mysteries, surprises, and a deeper appreciation for the biodiversity tucked into Maryland’s quietest water bodies.
Dr. Bill Lamp is a Professor of Entomology at the University of Maryland, College Park, whose interdisciplinary research spans aquatic entomology, plant–insect interactions, biological control, and sustainable agriculture. Since joining UMD in 1985, he has authored three books, 15 book chapters, and 76 refereed articles; secured 78 research grants; and delivered more than 60 invited presentations. His teaching portfolio includes integrated pest manage
Registration
Levels:- Donation - Suggested: $5
-
Education for All: $0
NHSM believes there should be no barriers to education. If you can’t pay, that’s okay. If you can pay, great. If you can pay more, please do, so this kind of education can continue.