The Maryland Master Naturalist's Handbook

About this book

Immerse yourself in the wonders of Maryland's diverse ecosystems with The Maryland Master Naturalist's Handbook. Edited by seasoned environmentalists McKay Jenkins and Joy Shindler Rafey, this essential guide explores the intricate tapestry of Maryland's natural world, from the geological foundations of the Susquehanna River to the vibrant ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay.

This book illustrates the deep connections among the state's history, its people, and the land they have long inhabited. It journeys through forests, rivers, and mountains while uncovering the complex interplay of flora, fauna, and human communities. Learn from experts in fields ranging across urban ecology, entomology, and climate science, who share their insights and passion for environmental stewardship. Essays cover essential topics such as:
- Maryland land use history
- Chesapeake Bay and urban ecology
- Environmental justice
- Geology, soils, and botany
- Invasive species
- Birds, insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals
- Citizen science
- Climate change in Maryland

This volume serves as the primary text for the Maryland Master Naturalist training course and encourages a broader audience to engage in ecological restoration and conservation efforts. Whether you're a budding naturalist or an experienced environmentalist, this book will deepen your understanding of Maryland's ecological systems and empower you to contribute to the preservation of its natural beauty.

Contents

Introduction to the Master Naturalist Program / Mckay Jenkins
1. Maryland Land Use History / Mckay Jenkins
2. Chesapeake Bay Ecology / Timothy Wheeler
3. Urban Ecology / J. Morgan Grove and Steward Pickett
4. Environmental Justice / Mckay Jenkins
5. Geology / Martin Schmidt
6. Soils / David Ruppert
7. Taxonomy / Gwenda Brewer
8. Botany / Kerry Wixted
9. Invasive Species / Douglas Tallamy
10. Birds / Gwenda Brewer
11. Insects / Douglas Tallamy
12. Fish / Letha Grimes
13. Amphibians and Reptiles / Raymond Bosmans
14. Mammals / Luke McCauley
15. Citizen Science / Bob Hirshorn
16. Teaching and Interpretation / Angela Yau
17. Climate Communications / Coreen Weilminster

Contributors
Acknowledgments

Customer Reviews

Biography

McKay Jenkins is the Cornelius Tilghman Professor of English and Journalism and the founder and director of the environmental humanities program at the University of Delaware. He is the coeditor of The Delaware Naturalist Handbook and the author of Food Fight: GMOs and the Future of the American Diet, ContamiNation: My Quest to Survive in a Toxic World, and eight other books about nature and history.

Joy Shindler Rafey is the statewide coordinator of the Maryland Master Naturalist Program for the University of Maryland Extension.