The Internet is a great source of information for anything related to Maryland's Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Below is a selection of Internet resources that will be of interest to anyone visiting the refuge. In addition, you will also find several Blackwater Refuge brochures in PDF format. Please take a moment to explore.

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Blackwater Refuge Home - a very informative and educational website by the USFWS about Blackwater Refuge. The site offers information about Blackwater's ecosystem, the refuge fire program, and current events at the refuge. In addition, the site provides educational activities for kids.



• Blackwater NWR general brochure (1.4 MB PDF file) - the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's guide to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.



• Blackwater NWR Wildlife Drive brochure (769 KB PDF file) - the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's guide to the Blackwater Refuge Wildlife Drive.



• Blackwater NWR Bird List (3.4 MB PDF file) - the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's guide to Blackwater's birds.



• Blackwater NWR Fishing, Crabbing and Boating Regulations (386 KB PDF file) - the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's guide to water-related activities at Blackwater.



• Tour Dorchester - a website that offers information about Dorchester County and its visitor services.



• BayDreaming.com - offers a guide to Cambridge hotels and inns, as well as local weather.



• Cambridge Area Attractions - a website that supplies a list of attractions in and around Cambridge, Maryland.



• Destination: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge - an article from the Refuge Reporter that provides an excellent overview of Blackwater's ecosystem and recreational opportunities.



• TheChesapeakeBay.com - a website that provides an extensive amount of information for visitors covering topics such as boating, fishing, lodging, and highlights of the Bay region.



• Sea Kayaking - a source for sea kayak information with a focus on the Chesapeake Bay.



• Maryland Department of Natural Resources - the Department's website offers information about Maryland's natural treasures, both on the land and in the water.



• Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network - more information about the network that links the Bay’s cultural, historical, and recreational resources.



• The Chesapeake Bay Program - America's premier watershed restoration project publishes an excellent website that addresses topics such as the Bay's wildlife and habitats, and threats to the Bay ecosystem.



• Where Do You Want to Go Birding in Maryland Today? - a website that offers birders a wealth of information about birding in Maryland. Topics include maps, rare bird alerts, and hotspots.



• The Maryland Ornithological Society - is a nonprofit, statewide organization of people who are interested in birds and nature. This large birding site includes bird lists, a calendar of activities, a list of birding links, and detailed information on finding shorebirds and hawks in Maryland.



• Salisbury Zoological Park - located in Salisbury, Maryland, the park provides a friendly and relaxing environment for anyone who loves animals. The Salisbury Zoological Park uses its animals, staff, volunteers, and park-like setting to encourage an appreciation of wildlife and to foster understanding of the importance of natural resource conservation. Be sure to visit their fun and informative website to learn more about the park.

• Chesapeake Marshlands NWR Complex Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan - the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plan for future management of the refuge. The plan discusses the most pressing challenges faced by the refuge and its wildlife.



• What Happened? The Disappearance of Blackwater's Marsh - an article by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources discusses the most immediate threats to Blackwater, including the nutria problem.



• Exotic Species, Migratory Birds, Sea Level Rises, Wetlands and Contaminants - an article by the U.S. Geological Survey examines a variety of threats to Blackwater.



• Oversight Hearing on Pilot Program to Control Nutria at the Blackwater NWR in Maryland - text from the hearing before the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans, U.S. House of Representatives. Includes comments by Representative Wayne Gilchrest and Refuge Manager Glenn Carowan.



• The Effect of Nutria on Marsh Loss in the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland: An Exclosure Study - an article by the U.S. Geological Survey examines the use of exclosures to study the impact of nutria on the marsh. Includes pictures of nutria-destroyed wetlands.



• Invasive Species: Nutria Profile - a collection of nutria resources from the National Invasive Species Council.

• Bald Eagle Info - quite possibly the best site on the Net for learning more about our favorite raptor.



• Bald Eagle Recovery - information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about the recovery of the bald eagle.



• Peregrine Falcon - information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about the natural history of the peregrine falcon.



• Peregrine Falcon Recovery - information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about the efforts to restore falcon populations.



• Delmarva Fox Squirrel - information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel.



• Delmarva Fox Squirrel Recovery - information from the MD Department of Natural Resources about the efforts to save the Delmarva fox squirrel.

• The National Wildlife Refuge System - refuge home page of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The site provides information about management and administration of the National Wildlife Refuge System.



• National Wildlife Refuge Association - since 1975, the NWRA has been the only organization dedicated exclusively to protecting, enhancing, and expanding the National Wildlife Refuge System.



• National Image Library of the USFWS - public domain photos from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service collection. Browse and download fantastic photographs taken at many of our nation's refuges.

• Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail - provides opportunities for you to experience and learn about the Chesapeake Bay through the routes and places associated with Captain John Smith’s explorations.



• The Birdhouse Network Nest Box Cams - from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, The Nest Box Cams use real-time Internet technology to observe and interpret the nesting behaviors of cavity-nesting birds and promote understanding of their breeding biology.



• Fat Birder's List of Bird Webcams - a site which features a wealth of information about birds including a list of bird webcams from around the world.



• Wildlife University - offers visitors a selection of free online classes from the National Wildlife Federation that teach about wildlife and wild places, identify issues that impact wildlife and people, and provide ways to get involved to make a difference.



• eNature - offers web-based field guides to over 4,800 species, online Wildlife Lists, a Park and Refuge Finder, and an Ask an Animal Expert section.



• One World Journeys - offers exciting online nature expeditions written and photographed by the site's digital journalists. And through its Journeys Corps of Storytellers, the site also allows individuals to share their own stories about their personal connections to nature and wilderness.

• WildCam - WildCam offers another version of our Osprey Cam. Visit the site and find a collection of animal cams capturing fascinating wildlife behavior from around the world.



• Chicone Ruritan Club - The Chicone Ruritan Club has provided Vienna, Maryland and the surrounding communities in the North Dorchester area with community service since it was chartered by Ruritan National in May, 1982.



• Nanticoke Watershed Alliance - NWA is an organization whose philosophy and intent is to provide environmental stewardship to the Nanticoke River and its watershed.



• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation conserves healthy populations of fish, wildlife and plants, on land and in the sea, through creative and respectful partnerships, sustainable solutions, and better education.



• Wild Birds Unlimited - the first and largest franchise system of retail stores catering to the backyard bird feeding hobbyist. WBU also maintains a conservation fund, Pathways To Nature, wherein all Wild Birds Unlimited stores donate a portion of proceeds to the fund to support education, conservation and wildlife viewing projects at wildlife refuges, parks, sanctuaries and nature conservancies throughout North America.